For 37 unbroken years now, Leyte Samar Daily Express has resolved to stand for truth, fairness, and responsible journalism voicing the people without falling into sensationalism or personal vendettas. By focusing on the performance of public servants and exposing anomalies where they exist, the paper does its duty to scrutinize those who are in power and keep them accountable to the public.
It is so easy for the media to give in to the temptation of personal attacks or dramatics, but the Leyte Samar Daily Express has held a principled stand against such practices. Instead, it zeros in on what matters—the actions, decisions, and omissions of those who have accepted the responsibility to protect and preserve the public’s trust. It is in this commitment to substance rather than spectacle that the paper rests its role as a committed institution for ethical journalism. It has, in that process, won the confidence of readers who demand a higher plane of accountability in governance, especially at the regional level, where aberrations can easily be overlooked in the shadow of national concerns.
Public servants are responsible not only for their intentions but, above all, for their concrete outcomes. The Leyte Samar Daily Express has constantly held a mirror to our officials, shining a light on inefficiency, corruption, and negligence when these betray the welfare of the people. For example, issues related to the improper utilization of funds, delayed infrastructure projects, or lackluster responses to critical needs are given due attention.
Such critical coverage speaks to a warning and guide that stands as a reminder that service to the public is one of duty, not a privilege, and for which any default should invite scrutiny.
But at the heart of the operations is the paper’s unyielding alignment for what is right and just. This does not insinuate blind idealism but a measured and decent resolve to champion issues in ways that uplift the lot of ordinary citizens. From lack of education to incompetent health care to inefficiency in local leadership, Leyte Samar Daily Express voices the concerns and hopes of the very same people they are supposed to serve. In so doing, it bridges the gap between public servants and constituents by elevating concerns that may fall to indifferent silence.
As the Leyte Samar Daily Express marks its 37th founding anniversary, that role remains as vital as ever. Moving forward, the media must continue to challenge complacency, expose wrongdoing, and advocate progress based on fairness and accountability. While public officials would do well to heed the scrutiny of this paper, they would do well to understand it not as an affront but as an opportunity to call them to serve with integrity and purpose. The voice of the people, after all, is not noise to be silenced but a truth to be heard and acted upon.
To the men and women behind the continued operation of this regional daily, and most especially to the publishers, editors, and writers, a happy and blessed anniversary! Mabuhay!
