NYC chair's statement vs. student protesters shows his ignorance of Constitution —Chiz

National Youth Commission (NYC) Chairman Ronald Cardema's move to have the scholarships of student protesters revoked shows his ignorance of the Constitution, Senator Chiz Escudero said Wednesday.

In a statement, Escudero described Cardema's suggestion as "sycophantic and obsequious," adding he should be removed from his post for making such suggestion.

"The sycophantic and obsequious suggestion of the NYC head shows his ignorance of the Constitution and, far from helping, is surely doing a disservice to PRRD (President Rodrigo Roa Duterte) and the government," he said.

"Kung may sisipain (sa pwesto) dapat siya at di ang mga estudyante," Escudero said.

Escudero reminded Cardema that freedom of speech and the right to peaceably assemble, as well as to petition the government for redress of grievances, are guaranteed under the Constitution.

"The Government is the government of those who agree with it and disagree with it... and the President is the President of of those who voted for him and did not vote for him," Escudero said.

"Both the President and the government should serve every Filipino without distinction and regardless of political beliefs," he added.

Cardema, in a report on Unang Balita, said he is asking Duterte to revoke the scholarships of "rebellious, anti-government scholars" for fighting government forces and wanting to bring down the government. —KBK, GMA News