The Department of Education (DepEd) Region 3 is set to implement significant reforms in the conduct of the Regional Schools Press Conference (RSPC), including the creation of an integrity committee tasked with overseeing complaints, grievances, and the vetting of judges. This was announced by DepEd Assistant Director Jessie L. Amin, who stated that the reforms are being introduced in response to concerns raised following the recently concluded 2026 RSPC held in Baler, Aurora.
Formalization of Reforms
Amin revealed that the regional office is preparing to issue a memorandum formalizing the reforms, pending review and approval by the regional director. The memorandum will outline the structure and responsibilities of the integrity committee, which aims to ensure transparency and fairness in future competitions.
Plagiarism Complaint Investigation
In addition to the structural changes, DepEd Region 3 will release the results of its deliberations on a plagiarism complaint raised by a teacher after the competition. The complaint, which circulated on social media, alleged that an entry in the Collaborative Desktop Publishing category closely resembled a previous entry that placed second in the English category during the 2025 RSPC.
DepEd Region 3 had earlier committed to investigating concerns surrounding the 2026 RSPC, which included unverified allegations such as:
- Some judges previously served as trainers for competing participants, raising potential conflicts of interest.
- Unauthorized use of mobile phones during the competition.
- Questions about the handling of subjects in the photojournalism contest.
- Reports that some online publishing entries may have been prepared in advance.
- Concerns regarding the vetting process for judges.
As of this writing, no official findings have confirmed these allegations. The regional office has emphasized its commitment to addressing all concerns thoroughly.
Background of RSPC
The Regional Schools Press Conference is an annual event that brings together campus journalists from Central Luzon to compete in various journalism categories. The reforms are expected to enhance the integrity and credibility of the competition moving forward.
