00:00First of all, allow me to apologize for the cancellation of our previous engagement last June 30th.
00:07I hope the change of plans only gave us a little more time to look forward to being together again.
00:14It is my pleasure to see every one of you at the Foreign Correspondents Association Philippines Presidential Luncheon.
00:22The work of foreign correspondents carries a unique responsibility.
00:26You tell the world the story of the Philippines, also helping Filipinos better understand the world that is around us.
00:36Today, that responsibility has become even more demanding as information, whether true or fabricated,
00:44whether AI-generated or deliberately manipulated, can spread instantly across digital platforms.
00:50These challenges confront every institution that depends on public trust, including the government, media, business, academic, civil society.
01:01In that regard, you, in your role as journalist, and I, as a public servant, have something important in common,
01:09our credibility.
01:11It is the foundation of our work and the bedrock of the public's trust.
01:16Two years ago, I spoke of a principle that I deeply believe in, that the role of the president is
01:22to defend press freedom, never to diminish it.
01:25This conviction remains unchanged.
01:28The Philippine government recognizes that the free, independent, and responsible press remains indispensable to any democratic society.
01:37This is why we consider media practitioners, including our photojournalists, as our partners, in promoting good governance and transparency.
01:47As a matter of fact, yesterday, I had the opportunity to visit a photo exhibit at the Likang Filipino Exhibition
01:54Hall in Pasay,
01:55showcasing images that chronicle the past four years of this administration.
01:59Through these photographs, we see how photojournalists preserve moments that might otherwise pass unnoticed, bring important issues into focus,
02:09and help tell the story of our country as it unfolds.
02:13As I committed during my State of the Nation address last month,
02:17we will hold accountable all individuals responsible for the anomalous implementation of government infrastructure projects.
02:26This accountability goes hand-in-hand with ensuring that these projects deliver the services that our people need.
02:33It's especially urgent right now, as we are now facing the rainy season where communities across the country face heightened
02:41risks from flooding and other hazards that come along with it.
02:45We are strengthening flood mitigation and disaster preparedness,
02:50and accelerating the implementation of critical intervention.
02:54Every peso invested in these projects must translate into real protection for our people and our communities.
03:03Ultimately, effective governance is not measured solely by what the government builds,
03:08but also by the trust that it earns from the people that we serve.
03:13In fostering that trust, a responsible and independent media plays an indispensable role
03:20in informing the public and scrutinizing those in power and helping ensure that facts prevail over speculation and fake news.
03:31For when uncertainty becomes the dominant narrative, markets hesitate.
03:36People become polarized, and the public discourse is dangerously weakened.
03:41This challenge extends to the digital spaces where our people now receive information, form opinions,
03:48and increasingly, where our children learn about the world.
03:52With this, allow me also to raise another concern that deserves equal attention.
03:58As a parent, I am increasingly mindful of the influence of social media and online platforms on our children.
04:06Technology is now integrated into our daily lives, yet it has also exposed young people to harmful content
04:14and distorted realities at an age when critical judgment is still developing.
04:21Innovation must continue, certainly, but so must responsibility that accompanies it.
04:27We must create a safer environment where children can learn and grow without compromising their well-being.
04:34We are expanding digital literacy initiatives, modernizing cyber security initiatives,
04:40and promoting the holistic well-being of every Filipino, all whilst upholding the freedom of expression.
04:49At the same time, the government remains steadfast and responsive in protecting the public's right to accurate information.
04:56We launched Oplan Contra Fake News to protect the public from disinformation and hold its purveyors accountable.
05:04Through the Presidential Task Force on Media Security, we also continue to strengthen legal assistance,
05:11intelligent coordination, and cybercrime response mechanisms to better protect media practitioners.
05:18Ladies and gentlemen, the demands of our time will continue to test our resolve.
05:24The government and the media may not always agree, nor should they,
05:28But our shared interest remains the same, the pursuit of truth.
05:34I am joining you in sustaining a bagong Pilipinas where democracy is strengthened by citizens who are informed, discerning, and
05:42free.
05:43Thank you very much, and I look forward to a meaningful and productive discussion with you today.
05:49Mabuhay ang FOCAP. Mabuhay kayong lahat.
05:51Maraming salamat at magandang hapon sa inyo.
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