DepEd Central Luzon Launches Investigation into 2026 Regional Schools Press Conference Concerns
The Department of Education (DepEd) Regional Office III in Central Luzon has formally committed to investigating multiple concerns surrounding the conduct of the 2026 Regional Schools Press Conference (RSPC). This decision comes in response to a growing number of unverified complaints circulating on social media platforms and through private messages among event participants. The agency has confirmed it has initiated a probe specifically regarding a plagiarism complaint linked to the competition.
Social Media Allegations Prompt Official Response
Reports posted on platforms such as TikTok, along with information shared privately with journalists, include serious allegations that have yet to be verified. Among these are claims that some judges may have previously served as trainers for competing participants, raising significant conflict-of-interest concerns. Additional accounts suggest that mobile phones may have been improperly used during the competition, potentially violating contest rules.
DepEd Regional Office III, which hosted the RSPC recently in Baler, Aurora, stated in an official communication: "The Department of Education Regional Office III will investigate these concerns and may institute reforms in the future conduct of the RSPC, if necessary." The statement was provided directly to reporters covering the developing story.
Multiple Competition Categories Under Scrutiny
Participants have raised additional complaints beyond the initial allegations. These include questions about how subjects were handled or assigned in the photojournalism contest, as well as reports suggesting that some entries in the online publishing category may have been prepared in advance of the competition. Furthermore, concerns have been voiced regarding the thoroughness of the vetting process for judges and whether sufficient safeguards against conflicts of interest were properly implemented.
Some observers noted that only a limited number of evaluators are currently active and practicing journalism professionals, potentially affecting the quality and credibility of the judging process. Feedback from participants also indicated perceived delays in DepEd Region III's response to the concerns initially raised. As of this reporting, no official findings have confirmed any of these allegations.
Specific Plagiarism Complaint Filed
Teacher Ivan Licuanan Balmores of the College of the Holy Spirit of Tarlac publicly raised allegations of plagiarism on Monday through social media channels. Balmores specifically targeted one contest category from the recently-concluded RSPC in Region III. The RSPC is an annual competition involving campus journalists from across Central Luzon, covering various journalism categories. Balmores' post has gained substantial attention, accumulating more than 1,900 reactions at the time of reporting.
In his detailed post, Balmores alleged that the winning entry in the Collaborative Desktop Publishing – Secondary (Filipino) category bore striking similarities to a previous entry from the 2025 RSPC, which had placed second in the English category. To support his claim, Balmores shared copies of both the winning entry and the material he asserted showed concerning similarities.
Formal Investigation Underway
In a statement dated April 7, 2026, DepEd Region III confirmed receipt of a formal complaint alleging plagiarism during the recently concluded RSPC. The office disclosed that the complaint has been referred to its Legal Unit for what it described as a "comprehensive and impartial fact-finding investigation." The agency provided assurances that all involved parties will be given due process throughout the investigative proceedings.
"Before any definitive adjudicative action or sanction is rendered, there will be a meticulous evaluation of all evidentiary submissions," the official statement read. The DepEd regional office further reiterated its commitment to uphold ethical standards in campus journalism and ensure accountability for any proven violations. However, DepEd Region III has yet to release specific details regarding the scope or timeline of the investigation, leaving participants and observers awaiting further developments.
