Vice President Sara Duterte took aim at the state of journalism in the Philippines on Friday, arguing that local media outlets fail to meet international standards while expressing regret over what she sees as Filipinos prioritizing financial gain over core values.
Duterte’s remarks came in response to questions about allegations that some of her public statements were taken out of context to cast her and her family in a negative light.
“Kung ganyan ang pamumuhay ng journalism sa Pilipinas, hindi talaga uunlad ang ating bayan,” she stated during an interview in The Hague, Netherlands, where she was visiting her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.
She drew a sharp contrast between domestic reporting and global news standards, asserting that international media outlets handle and pursue stories far differently.
“Kung makita mo international media, paano sila magpresenta ng balita, paano sila naghahanap ng mga isyu na balita, napakalayo ng kalidad ng journalism sa ibang bansa ikumpara mo sa atin,” she observed.
Calling out certain local news outlets, the Vice President argued that profit motives should never be the driving force behind journalism.
“Unfortunately, kung gagawin talaga natin araw-araw na just for money, wala talagang pagbabago na mangyayari sa ating bansa, sa journalism man, sa mainstream media man, o sa iba’t ibang aspeto ng ating bayan,” she warned.
Duterte highlighted social media as a crucial alternative that allows the public to view events from broader points of view.
“Buti na lang, meron na tayong social media ngayon. Para nakikita natin kung ano talaga ang katotohanan na nakita ng tao at lumabas sa bibig ng tao,” she added.
Turning to broader societal issues, she expressed deep concern over shifting national values, lamenting how material wealth seems to have overtaken traditional ethics.
“Nakakalungkot na marami sa ating mga Pilipino ang ginawang Diyos ang pera,” she remarked.
She concluded by urging Filipinos to instead be anchored by principles like bayanihan (community spirit), discipline, resilience, and other positive values.