UP prof: During crisis, citizens still have the right to speak up, criticize gov't

Amid calls to refrain from criticizing the government as the country battles the threat from COVID-19, a university professor has instead encouraged the public to practice free speech to help improve the system.

In a Stand for Truth episode on Tuesday, Dr. Ela Atienza, a professor at the University of the Philippines-Diliman Political Science Department, said as citizens, Filipinos have the right to criticize the government if it is doing something wrong.

“Kung pagbabasehan natin ang 1987 Constitution, karapatan talaga ng mga Pilipino na magsalita, karapatan nating magpahayag,” she said.

“Siyempre sa isang demokrasya, naniniwala tayo na may karapatan ang mga mamamayan na punahin kung mayroong maling ginagawa ang mga namumuno,” Atienza added.

Because of criticisms, wrongdoings can be turned into right actions, she said.

The Department of Justice for instance changed its tune regarding the case of Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel after drawing flak from the public on its alleged soft treatment of the senator, who breached quarantine protocols.

Pimentel was criticized on social media after he went to Makati Medical Center to accompany his wife Kathryna, who was about to give birth last March 24, without disclosing that he was a person under investigation for COVID-19.

While inside the hospital premises, the senator received a call from the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine saying he was indeed positive for the virus.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health also recently drew flak after offering only a P500 daily allowance for volunteer health workers.

However, the DOH on Saturday apologized for the P500 allowance, saying it is what they normally give volunteers.

DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire assured that the compensation of workers, the procurement of personal protective equipment, health facilities, and COVID-19 health packages will be taken care of after Congress passed a COVID-19 response package.

“Sa essence ng democracy, ang mga namumuno ay accountable sa mga tao,” Atienza said.

“Ang isang citizen sa democracy, hindi lamang sila nagbabayad ng taxes, hindi lang sila inaasahang sumunod sa batas kundi inaasahan din na bahagi sila ng pamumuno at bahagi sila sa paggawa ng polisiya at mga desisyon,” she added.

No one is exempted from criticisms because past administrations also encountered them, she said.

“‘Yong pananahimik kasi parang tinanggalan mo na ng karapatan ‘yong sarili mo na maging isang bahagi ng lipunan at maging bahagi ng republika ng Pilipinas,” Atienza added. —Ma. Angelica Garcia/KG, GMA News