Looks like the National Youth Commission chair does not know our Constitution well—or he is just like many in this administration who skip reading Article III of our supreme law, which guarantees our bill of rights.
To quote the specific clause: “Section 4. No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances.”
With the provision above, it is evident that the state should preserve our right to free speech and protest. It is also part of our Universal Declaration of Human Rights: “Article 20. (1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.”
The NYC chair’s pronouncements are in conflict with his current position as the representative of the youth. He is no more than a “kiss-ass” to a strongman.
The commission has become a propaganda tool for the harsh policies of this regime and a campaign mouthpiece of the former special assistant to the President. In fact, as stated in Section 6 of Republic Act No. 8044 that created the NYC, it should “be independent and autonomous and shall have the same status as that of a national government agency attached to the Office of the President.”
The NYC chair is a paradigmatic example of a Marcosian soldier back in the time of the dictator who saw protests and criticisms of the government as a threat to the nation. I join those in calling for this guy’s resignation. He does not, in anyway, represent our desires as the Filipino youth.
LUIS ANTONIO A. BONIFACIO, bonifacio_luis@yahoo.com