11/05/2026
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As a major course output of PM 298 (Seminar in Public Management), the Master of Management in Public Management class organized a forum that explored a pressing question for public servants today: How do we remain authentic in a time shaped by digital visibility, political branding, and disinformation? Composed of students from various public sector institutions, the class engaged a broader audience in a meaningful dialogue.
Anchored on the theme βModern Governance: Redefining Authenticity in Public Service,β the guest speakers Vice Governor Nathalie Ann Debuque and Board Member Jo Jan Paul PeΓ±ol, shared insights that resonated strongly with participants navigating similar institutional contexts.
Several key insights stood out from the discussion. BM JP PeΓ±ol highlighted governance challenges in todayβs complex information environment, stressing the importance of fact-based leadership in addressing disinformation. He also pointed to the need for discernment in a space where visibility can easily be mistaken for credibility. This highlights the importance of accountability in how information is produced, shared, and interpreted online.
Vice Gov. Lee Ann Debuque emphasized that public service should be defined not by presentation or perception, but by work that is real, responsive, and felt by communities. Drawing from her experience, she explained how social media can support transparency and engagement, noting that her platform was created alongside her entry into public service.
This shows that an online presence, when guided by purpose, can serve as a meaningful tool for genuine transparency and public accountability.
Across both perspectives, a shared message emerged: authenticity in governance extends beyond visibility. At its core, it reflects the broader idea that public servants, even within imperfect digital environments, can still use these spaces in ways that support transparency and strengthen public trust.
The forum gave participants a chance to reflect on how theory connects with the realities of public service. It encouraged them to think about their role in shaping public understanding of governance, where perceptions are constantly formed and reshaped.
This initiative, organized in partnership with the Graduate School Student Council, reflects the UPV Graduate Schoolβs goal of producing graduates who are globally competitive leaders capable of creating new knowledge and innovations for progressive change, and of utilizing emerging knowledge and technologies to address complex governance issues (i.e., sociocultural, economic, physical and environmental).
Padayon!
