CEBU CITY—Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro declared that the press will be respected under her leadership, in a keynote message delivered during the general assembly and induction of officers of the Cebu Federation of Beat Journalists (CFBJ) on September 27 at the Cebu Parklane Hotel.
The event capped the weeklong Cebu Press Freedom Week, held September 20–27.
“Here in Cebu, under my watch, I want you to know that the press will always be valued and respected. I value the press not only as reporters, but as watchdogs, partners, and storytellers,” Baricuatro said.
She acknowledged that while coverage may sometimes be unfavorable, the media remain vital as the bridge between government and the people.
The governor recognized the media’s essential but sometimes adversarial role, stressing that she values journalists’ work even when critical of her administration.
Press freedom, she added, is not only a constitutional right but also a responsibility carried with courage and conviction.
“When that freedom is exercised responsibly, it does not weaken governance—it strengthens it. It pushes us leaders to be more transparent, more accountable, and more grounded in the realities of our people,” she said.
The CFBJ, with over 100 members covering 12 beats including the Provincial Government, holds regular press briefings with the governor. Baricuatro also quoted U.S. Founding Father Thomas Jefferson: “If I had to choose between a government without newspapers and newspapers without a government, I would not hesitate to choose the latter.”
