Palace on DepEd module: Constitution guarantees right to protest

Amid the controversy over a Department of Education (DepEd) module which discouraged students from joining protests, Malacañang on Monday said that the 1987 Constitution guaranteed the freedom of peaceful assembly.

Speaking at a news conference, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the right to hold peaceful protest was included in the Bill of Rights.

However, Roque added that it was also the state’s role to protect minors.

“Alam ninyo po, that’s already in the Bill of Rights and, of course, ang pinag-iingatan lang natin ay iyong mga wala pang sapat na pag-iisip, iyong mga menor de edad at mga bata,” he explained.

“Ang DepEd naman po, ang supervision niya, elementary and high school. So siguro ang sinasabi lang ng DepEd ay iyong mga elementary at high school ay siguro huwag munang mag-attend ng mga rallies.”

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) recently expressed its concern over the Media and Information Literacy module that discourages students from participating in protests, saying it was important to develop critical thinking among children especially when it comes to social issues.

The CHR also said that “love for one's country was not limited to mere obedience.”

On Sunday, Education Undersecretary Diosdado San Antonio said the DepEd had asked for an explanation from its regional office which released the distance learning module.

According to San Antonio, the module in question did not go through the approval process of the central office. — DVM, GMA News