Vice President Sara Duterte criticized the way local media in the Philippines report the news.

This came after news reports emerged where her statement, made in a speech outside the International Criminal Court regarding her remark that 5,000 pesos is enough to hire a gunman in the Philippines, was allegedly quoted out of context.

She said the way local media report the news is very different compared to international media.

VP Sara elaborated on this, saying the quality of journalism in the Philippines still has a long way to go if it is to match international standards.

"Kung hanggang d'yan lang ang kakayahan ng journalism sa Pilipinas, then hindi talaga uunlad ang ating bayan. Kasi kung makita mo international media paano sila mag-present ng balita, paano sila naghahanap ng mga bagay o aktibidad o mga pangyayari na ibabalita napakalayo ng kalidad ng journalism."

[If the capability of journalism in the Philippines only goes as far as that, then our country will not really progress. Because if you see how international media presents the news, how they look for things, activities, or events to report on, the quality of journalism is very far apart.]

VP Sara also stressed that it is fortunate that social media now exists, allowing people to see the full context of her statements.

She added that, unlike traditional media reports, social media allows the public to verify for themselves what was truly said and meant.

"Buti na lang meron na tayong social media ngayon kung saan nakikita natin kung ano talaga ang katotohanan na nakita ng tao at lumabas sa bibig ng tao."

[It's a good thing we now have social media, where we can see the real truth of what people saw and what came out of a person's own mouth.

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