Shhhhh.....

This government's stupidity is not something new. But it doesn't make it any more acceptable. It's disappointing that the oppressive Cybercrime Act has been approved under the watch of a president whose only claim to political fame is his parents' heroic battle for freedom. It's nothing short of hypocritical that the politicians who enacted the law are the most active ones in utilizing all social networks possible to purport their agenda. It's downright insulting that a country who is finally beginning to find its voice is being threatened into silence once again. But what infuriates me the most is that the people who swore to preserve and protect our freedom  are now the very people that curtail it.

In defense of their self-righteousness, these politicians dare ask, "people post things that are painful. Is that what you consider freedom? People write statements that are borderline offensive. Is that what you call freedom?" Dear senators and Mr. President, the answer is simple: YES. Freedom of speech isn't limited to saying the right things or writing polite messages. It's not about what I say, it's the fact that I have a say. Freedom of speech allows me to say what I want to say in whichever medium I choose. It is my right to post FUCK YOU in my wall as much as it is your right to answer with Go to HELL. You see, freedom of speech (and every other form of freedom for that matter) isn't a half-baked right. It doesn't discriminate based on intent and content. It doesn't favor the righteous few. Yes, we say things that are disagreeable to some. Yes, we say things that can be offensive. But such is the nature and the dynamic of freedom long before we discovered the world wide web. Believe me, it will stay that way long after the computer is rendered obsolete.

Here is another fact about freedom that you, dear politicians, have to understand. Freedom isn't a right that you can bend at will. It's not something you support when it's to your advantage then discard when it stopped serving your purpose. When the internet was bombarded with the demand for Corona's resignation and when people all over facebook were calling the former chief justice names, you did not flinch. As a matter of fact, you even praised the netizens for demonstrating freedom and exercising our right to speak up. But when tables have turned and we started criticizing your governance, suddenly we're way out of line and must be censored. Remember that you are tasked to protect our freedom not manipulate it.

We are all in agreement that freedom (as in all other rights) comes with responsibility. It is not an all-access pass to guilt-free land. If you want to teach us that lesson then let us face the consequences of our words and actions. But do not take our right to speak away. It's ironic that as this ridiculous act is passed with ease, the senator proven to plagiarize did not even get a slap on the hand. What does this say about our country? That it's perfectly okay to copy another's idea but it's punishable to voice out our own? And while this law has been approved without amendments, the RH bill, a bill that will help women and the children, is still up for revision. What message are we sending out? That it's okay to suffer in silence but it's unacceptable to speak up? And we dare call this country the Land of the Free.