By Agustin F. San Andres Jr. 

Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo urged the Far Eastern University (FEU) students to continue asserting the truth regardless of the “forces that are attempting to revise, subvert, or drown it out” last Saturday, May 8.

In her opening remarks during the round-table discussion titled ‘From the Watchdogs: Press Freedom for Tomorrow’, Robredo also emphasized that correct and timely information is a vital tool in responding to the pandemic which serves as a "bedrock of sound decision-making."

“They allow for an environment where inclusive policies can be formulated, they encourage us to come together and mobilize, to fill in the gaps faster and more efficiently, and to craft the best solutions to our most pressing problems,” she added. 

Robredo then reminded the participants that it is important to counter every effort that may distort what is true and drive the people apart in the age of disinformation.

“Through gatherings like today, we are reminded not only how important this task is, but also that we are not alone in this endeavor. There are already so many of us safeguarding the truth, ready to hold the line,” she furthered. 

Robredo also assured everyone that she and the Office of the Vice President (OVP) are one with the people in this kind of advocacy that the said round-table discussion promoted. 

Aside from Robredo, well-known journalists like GMA News Reporter JP Soriano, ABS-CBN News Reporter Sherrie Ann Torres, Rappler Multimedia Reporter Mara Cepeda, and FEU Institute of Law Dean Mel Sta. Maria also graced the event to shed light on the current state of press freedom in the country.  

(Photo screenshot from FEU Communication Society's Livestream/Facebook)