Manila,
Philippines – Tinanong ni Bayan Muna Rep. Ferdinand Gaite kung limitado lang umano
ang pagpapahayag sa pagpuri sa China at kay Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte nitong
Martes matapos maiulat ang pagpapauwi sa isang OFW dahil sa masagwa at hindi
magandang post nito sa social media laban sa Pangulo.
“Has our
freedom of speech been limited to praising China and Pres. Rodrigo Duterte?
That seems to be the case after the string of harassment against critics of the
Palace,” sabi ni Gaite sa kanyang pahayag.
Ang OFW na
si Elanel Ordidor ay papauwiin sa Pilipinas at haharapin ang kasong cyberlibel
dahil sa kanyang post na ayon kay Labor Attaché Fidel Macauyag, ay para
makasanhi ng poot sa gitna ng krisis na dala ng COVID-19 pandemic.
“If it’s
critical of the administration, of the President, and the obvious flaws in the
government’s response to the crisis, they are instantly crying for punitive
actions,” sabi ni Gaite.
“But if it
is favorable, and in tune to their policy directions, even if it is against the
interest of our national sovereignty, they are quick to stand in defense of
freedoms. It is a completely biased application of democratic principles,”
dagdag pa aniya.
Sabi pa ni
Gaite na gusto umano ng administrasyon na agarang ipa-depot ang isang OFW na
ipinahayag ang kanyang opinyon ukol sa responde ng gobyerno sa pandemic.
“They
instantly want to deport an OFW who simply aired her sentiment against the
government’s botched response to the COVID19 crisis, an opinion that actually
reflects the general sentiment of the public right now,” sabi ni Gaite.
“But they
are up in arms to defend the right of the Chinese Embassy to spread propaganda
that goes against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our nation. Talk
about double standard,” dagdag pa ni Gaite.
“What is
seditious is the government’s defense of Chinese interest over the West
Philippine Sea. What is seditious is their silence and inaction over the
construction of Chinese military facilities on contested territories,” sabi ni
Gaite.
“What is
seditious is this government’s kowtowing to Xi Jinping that resulted in grave
delays in the government’s COVID19 response,” dagdag pa ni Gaite.
