Regional Schools Press Con winner, accused of submitting plagiarized entry

The entry that was declared champion in the recently concluded Regional Schools Press Conference (RSPC), particularly in Collaborative Desktop Publishing, is a copycat. That is according to a social media post that has gone viral.

Campus Journalism coach Ivan Licauanan Balmores said on Facebook, April 6, that the entry who topped this year’s competition in the category is not merely an inspiration but “halos kabuuang konsepto” of the entry that they have submitted last year (2025), which ended second place.

The coach works at College of the Holy Spirit in Tarlac.

Balmores highlighted the noticeable similarities in layout structure, design treatment, until the conceptual presentation of the editorial, opinion, and features pages.

“Hindi ito coincidence. Hindi ito simpleng pagkakapareho ng ideya. Again, layout, design, concept, hindi mo maitatanggi. Ilang beses pa ba natin sasabihin na “inspiration” lang ito bago natin tawagin sa tunay nitong pangalan?”

He said his qualms is not about medals but about accountability. He said that they have poured time, effort, and sleepless nights to make the output.

But it is more than that, he added, “This is me taking the matter into my own hands. Hindi para manira. Hindi para maghanap ng away. Kundi manindigan.”

“Para sa katotohanan. Para sa integridad. Para sa mga estudyanteng naniniwala na may saysay ang pagiging tapat sa larangan ng campus journalism.”

He said that they have raised the issue in the proper forum, even bringing it to the region but they heard no action.

“Pero anong nangyari? Wala. No response. No clear action. Walang kahit anong paliwanag. Para bang okay lang. Para bang walang seryosong paglabag na nangyari.”

Turns out, a day after the post by Balmores, DepEd Region 3 issued a statement.

They said they have received the plagiarism complaint and has referred the matter to their Legal Unit for a comprehensive and impartial investigation.

DepEd R3 has guaranteed that they will conduct a meticulous evaluation of all the evidentiary submissions.

Part of the statement says that they place paramount value on absolute integrity and the genuine pursuit of excellence in campus journalism, recognizing the foundational values it instills and upholds to young journalists.

Sources: Facebook (1), Facebook (2)