House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro strongly criticized Vice President Sara Duterte for her recent statements at the National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) in Carcar City, Cebu, calling them hypocritical and contradictory to her own actions.
“It’s ironic that VP Sara Duterte is now lecturing students about not printing or circulating false information when she herself has been engaged in red-tagging and spreading fake news,” Rep. Castro said. “This is the height of hypocrisy coming from someone who, in 2019, even claimed that ‘all candidates lie.'”
The progressive lawmaker pointed out the stark contrast between Duterte’s advice to NSPC participants and her own track record. “How can VP Duterte tell students to ‘never print or post or circulate something that you know is not the truth’ when she has been at the forefront of spreading disinformation through red-tagging? This double standard is alarming and sets a dangerous precedent for our youth,” Castro added.
Rep. Castro emphasized the importance of integrity in public service, especially from high-ranking officials. “Public servants, particularly those in the highest positions of our government, should lead by example. They should embody the values of honesty and truthfulness that they preach to our students,” she stated.
The ACT Teachers representative also questioned the sincerity of Duterte’s warnings against destroying people’s lives or the image of organizations through false information. “These words ring hollow coming from someone who has actively participated in damaging the reputation of progressive organizations and individuals through baseless accusations and red-tagging,” Castro said.
“As VP Duterte prepares to step down from her post as Education Secretary, we hope she reflects on her own actions and the impact of her words. Our students and our nation deserve leaders who not only speak about the importance of truth but also consistently practice it in their public service,” Rep. Castro concluded.
