ALBAY, Philippines – Hundreds of campus journalists and student leaders convened Sunday, February 9, forming a group to resist what they saw as escalating attacks on press freedom in the Bicol Region. The trigger was the alleged mounting suppression against The SPARK, the official student publication of the Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges (CSPC).
The controversy started after The SPARK published a pre-election survey showing Camarines Sur 2nd District Representative L-Ray Villafuerte, a gubernatorial bet, trailing among CSPC students. Villafuerte lashed out, dismissing the results as “fake news” – a move that set off censorship threats from the school administration.
The SPARK has alleged that the CSPC administration instructed them to remove the content after being warned of repercussions, a move that raised concerns. The publication alleged that Villafuerte had a hand in it.
In a statement, the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) condemned Villafuerte’s actions, calling them a “direct attack” on CSPC students’ rights. “This vile harassment of student publications reflects a non-isolated issue of censorship that deprives communities of the truth,” the group said.
CEGP warned that Villafuerte’s response set a “dangerous precedent” for political figures willing to silence dissent.
“With the election period fast approaching, political harassment just loomed large, affecting institutions that expose threats to peaceful and honest elections,” it added.
Amid the backlash, The SPARK defended its survey, emphasizing that student participation was verified. But CSPC administrators distanced themselves from the results, insisting they did not represent the entire student body.
Villafuerte brushed aside the uproar against him and his family in his latest statements, claiming that their track records show how they love and care for Camarines Sur’s constituents, particularly CSPC.
He wrote, “There is a lot of bashing and attacks against me, but it’s okay; bring it on! The truth will always prevail!”
The Villafuerte political dynasty has held top positions in Camarines Sur for decades. L-Ray is the father of Governor Vincenzo Renato Luigi Villafuerte and Representative Miguel Luis Villafuerte of the province’s 5th District. Miguel also represents Committee on Higher and Technical Education Chairperson Mark Go on CSPC’s board of trustees, the school’s top decision-making body.
A Facebook page bearing the name of Villafuerte publicly posted a photo of CSPC student and The SPARK associate editor Fernan Enimedez from three years ago with his family, tagging the campus journalist as a “fake news peddler” who was acting in the interest of the congressman’s rival, Bong Rodriguez.
The allegations were debunked by The SPARK, reiterating that the publication and its members are “not in the business of getting paid or plan to do so.”
The CSPC administration also released another statement regarding the controversy, claiming that the school supports the right of the students to practice critical and ethical journalism with high regard to press freedom.
“CSPC upholds the fundamental right to freedom of the press as enshrined in the Constitution. We recognize that promoting transparency, accountability, and democratic engagement within the academic community and society relies on a free, independent, and responsible press,” the statement read in part.
The CSPC also said it firmly stands against any form of suppression, harassment, or retaliation directed at student journalists. However, the administration has yet to issue a statement regarding Enimedez’s case.
Lack of accountability
Paul Luna, The SPARK’s editor-in-chief, said the publication demands a condemnation of the actions of Villafuerte towards their publication, particularly Enimedez’s case, from their school’s administration. He pointed out that it is their school’s job to defend the rights of Enimedez.
“The administration was quick to release an official statement regarding the 2025 midterm election preference polls just a few hours after its postings, but it took them two days before releasing a statement after the bullying perpetrated by a political figure. And the statement? Fangless and ineffective. Stand up for your students, CSPC,” Luna said.
Student organizations at CSPC and other universities launched online protests hours after the school administration released an initial statement addressing the controversy surrounding campus publication The SPARK.
The groups replaced their logos with black-and-white versions, while student organizations from Bicol University, Ateneo de Naga University, Partido State Univerity issued solidarity statements defending the embattled publication.
CSPC student trustee Trixia Morata dismissed the administration’s response as “damage control” following public backlash, saying student rights must take priority.
“We demand accountability for the administration’s previous statement that left the publication unprotected, especially because it was misleading,” Morata said. “The new statement still lacks a direct condemnation of the vilification by the political figure to one of the students. We need concrete actions.”
Roi Joshua Baeta, a CSPC alumnus and former SPARK writer, said many alumni were disappointed with the administration’s response, calling it “lacking substance.” He added that they were still waiting for concrete action from university president Amado Oliva Jr.’s office.
“We still call on him to protect the writers of The SPARK... because this is his duty as the president of the university,” Baeta said. “From the sector of alumni, teachers, student councils, and all student formations, we call for his support to fight for the rights of the students.”
United stand
As a result, campus publications and student organizations from various schools and universities across the region said they would hold voter education campaigns and do more mock polls as an affirmation of their collective responsibility to foster critical political discourse in schools and the community.
“The support and help that we get from the Guild, our fellow campus publications, student organizations or councils, and the entire CSPC student community helped us become mentally and emotionally stronger. Aside from our principles, this has become our source of strength to continue. Moving forward, The SPARK will always stand up for what is right,” Luna said.
Jhonel Bravante, associate editor of Radiance, the official student publication of Partido State University in Camarines Sur, noted the support of Bicol publications and student organizations in defending press freedom in the region, adding that it was a powerful to “hold political dynasties, like the Villafuertes, accountable for their attacks on the media.”
He added, “Without a free and fearless press, the public will remain vulnerable to misinformation and abuse of authority. It is part of the job of publications to stand firm in protecting their and their fellow journalists’ journalistic integrity and safety.”
Radiance, The Pillars, The Democrat, and other publications following The SPARK’s mock elections initiative have also released their pre-election surveys. Bravante said it is important to conduct and strengthen mock polls and voter education initiatives to prepare and inform voters and to campaign for a fair and democratic election.
“Mock polls help students, especially those who will be first-time voters, familiarize themselves with the system that will reduce confusion on election day. It empowers citizens with knowledge about their rights, the importance of their votes, and how to critically evaluate candidates and their platforms,” Bravante said.
Bicol campus publications and student organizations said they would organize a regional press conference and various student consultations as part of a solidarity campaign to protect students’ rights to take part in democratic discourse. – Rappler.com