Camarines Sur 2nd district Representative LRay Villafuerte has denied allegations that he was behind the removal of a report from The Spark, the official student publication of the Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges (CSPC), regarding a mock election result. Villafuerte expressed concern that the student publication could have been misused by certain individuals or groups.
Camarines Sur 2nd district Representative LRay Villafuerte has vehemently denied allegations that he was involved in the removal of a report from The Spark, the official student publication of the Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges (CSPC), regarding a mock election result. The report purportedly showed Villafuerte, a three-term congressman seeking the gubernatorial seat in the May 12 elections, trailing behind his rival.
Villafuerte expressed concern that the student publication could have been misused by certain individuals or groups. He insisted that he had never contacted anyone within the CSPC administration to take down the report, stating that the accusations were unfounded. Villafuerte emphasized his strong support for press freedom and media practitioners' rights, highlighting his long-standing advocacy for safeguarding these principles. He pointed out that his concern stemmed from the authenticity of the survey methodology and the fear that the students involved might have been unwittingly used by individuals with ulterior political motives in the upcoming midterm elections.Villafuerte, who serves as the president of the National Unity Party (NUP), further stated that he reserves the right to question certain news reports, particularly those concerning him and his family. He acknowledged the right of student publications to report on developments, including local surveys conducted with proper methodology. However, he also emphasized his right to respond to such reports, especially when he believes they may contain inaccuracies or raise concerns about their objectivity. The former deputy speaker reiterated his commitment to press freedom while expressing his reservations about the specific report in question.Villafuerte's strong stance on press freedom is evident in his authorship of House Bill (HB) No. 454 during the 19th Congress. This proposed Act aims to enhance the protection, security, and benefits for media workers in the Philippines. It seeks to create a safer and more conducive environment for journalists and other media practitioners by ensuring benefits such as security of tenure, hazard pay, night shift differential pay, and overtime pay. The bill, approved on third and final reading by the House of Representatives in November 2022, reflects Villafuerte's deep commitment to the welfare of Filipino journalists
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