The ongoing controversy between Camarines Sur 2nd District Representative Luis Raymund “LRay” Villafuerte and The Spark, the official student publication of Camarines Sur Polytechnic College (CSPC), has garnered significant attention beyond local discussions. What began as a harmless political survey has evolved into a broader debate about the role of student publications, the influence of political leaders, and the growing threat of disinformation in the digital age.
The issue surfaced when The Spark posted the results of a mock election survey on February 7, 2025, comparing the two gubernatorial candidates in Camarines Sur—Luis Raymund “LRay” Villafuerte and Bong Rodriguez. The survey declared Rodriguez the winner, providing a snapshot of students’ political opinions. Tensions escalated when Villafuerte publicly accused The Spark on Facebook (at 11:27 PM on February 7) of spreading disinformation, claiming the election results were manipulated and questioning the validity of the data.
Villafuerte accused the survey of being fake and lacking scientific validity. In response, the survey was removed under administrative pressure. However, it was reposted on the night of February 8, accompanied by a statement from The Spark. The statement clarified that the survey was independently conducted, with no involvement from the CSPC administration.
Support for The Spark and Further Actions
Despite the administration’s clarification, many students and publications expressed their support for The Spark. Reinnard Balonzo, a paralegal for The Spark and Chairman of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines-Bicol (CEGP), responded publicly, emphasizing their commitment to defending the rights of student journalists. He also claimed that Villafuerte’s camp had pressured the CSPC administration to remove the post.
“Actually, ako ang acting paralegal sa kaso dahil wala pa namang lawyer na makukuha ang The Spark,” he said. “So bilang chairperson of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines Bicol, ako mismo pumunta duon sa CSPC and then nag-responde agad sa kaso.” He added, “We are prepared kasi as the chair, sabi ko nga, ‘sawang-sawa na ako sa ganitong sitwasyon.’”
Balonzo continued, “Ang kampo ni Villafuerte, base sa salaysay ng mga campus journalists na involved, ay tinawagan agad ang CSPC administration. At ang CSPC administration din, dahil tinawagan sila ng mga Villafuerte, lalong-lalo na ni LRay, na sangkot sa insidente, ay pertinent yung pagpapadelete nung post ng The Spark.”
He also noted that CEGP-Bicol is leading awareness efforts, uniting publications, and building a Quick Response Team (QRT) to protect The Spark and other campus journalists. “We have already released a media advisory and alert, so if we look at it now, there’s strong traction on social media, as well as attention from local and even national media outlets. The Guild is one of the major forces driving this movement,” Balonzo assured the public.
On February 8, Villafuerte posted a Facebook message accusing Fernan Matthew Enimendez, the associate editor of The Spark, of bias and sharing his family’s photo without consent. In response, The Spark issued a statement defending the validity of the mock election, explaining that it was exclusively for CSPC students and that the results were not manipulated.
Official Statement of the CSPC Faculty Association, Inc.
In light of the ongoing controversy, the CSPC Faculty Association, Inc. issued an official statement expressing solidarity with The Spark and condemning the harassment of student journalists by a powerful political figure. The statement emphasized the importance of defending academic and press freedom, stating:
“We stand with our student publication and journalists, recognizing the need to protect academic freedom, neutrality, and the safety of our students. Educational spaces must remain sanctuaries for truth and respectful discourse, free from intimidation or political influence. We call on the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Center for Human Rights Education (CHRE) to provide independent oversight to ensure transparency and resolve the issue impartially. We urge all stakeholders—faculty, alumni, and independent bodies—to unite in support of our students’ rights and safety.”
Widespread Support for The Spark
The controversy has sparked widespread support for The Spark from students and independent media organizations, underscoring the importance of a free press in a democratic society. Several universities in the region have expressed solidarity with The Spark, condemning personal attacks on student journalists and stressing the need to protect the rights of publications to address public issues.
Publications such as The Pillars of Ateneo de Naga University, The BISCAST Collegian, The Bicol Universitarian, and The Naga Collegian have also released statements supporting The Spark, recognizing the crucial role of student publications in promoting political discourse, especially during election seasons.I Nicole Castillo, Froilance Alcazar, Kyla Mae Literal