By Carmelo Redencion Jr 
Former Camarines Sur Governor and current 2nd District Representative LRay Villafuerte, who is seeking a return to the gubernatorial seat in the 2025 elections, recently took to social media to condemn a student-led survey conducted by The SPARK, the official publication of Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges (CSPC). The survey, conducted from December 1-7, 2024, but only released on February 7, 2025, gauged student preferences for the 2025 elections. However, Villafuerte questioned its credibility, alleging bias and accusing its associate editor, Fernan Matthew Enimendez, of being politically motivated.
What made Villafuerte’s reaction particularly alarming was not just his branding of the survey as fake news, but his decision to highlight Enimendez’s personal political history—including his past support for Leni Robredo in the 2022 elections. He even went so far as to share a family photo of the student, a move that could elicit adverse reactions from his political supporters. In a country where online harassment and political divisions run deep, such an act raises concerns about the implications for the young student’s safety and well-being.
As a seasoned politician and a former Father of Camarines Sur, Villafuerte’s response begs the question: should a leader use his influence to intimidate a student for conducting a survey, or should he instead encourage constructive discourse? His lengthy social media tirade could have been an opportunity to teach the value of transparency and integrity in research. Instead, it became a full-blown political attack, seemingly designed to discredit not just the survey but also the student journalist behind it.
Moreover, Villafuerte’s argument about The SPARK’s supposed bias rings hollow when he himself has openly used his platform to promote his family’s role in CSPC. He listed numerous contributions—from land donations to infrastructure projects—seemingly implying that their financial and political support should guarantee favorable coverage. This contradicts the principles of a free press and academic independence, where student publications should be allowed to report without fear of political reprisal.
Had Villafuerte taken the high road, he could have simply asked for survey transparency, questioned the methodology rationally, or engaged CSPC in a discussion on academic polling standards. Instead, his post came across as a warning shot against dissenting voices, particularly young individuals who dare to engage in political discourse.
With the 2025 elections drawing near, this incident serves as a telling reflection of the political climate in Camarines Sur. A leader’s response to criticism—especially from students—reveals much about the kind of governance they offer. True leadership is not about silencing opposition but about guiding the next generation with wisdom, patience, and respect. If Villafuerte truly wants to reclaim his role as Father of Camarines Sur, then he should remember that fathers are meant to teach, not threaten.