A young student voiced his opinion about President Aquino as the latter was delivering his Independence Day speech. The student said that the President has not done much to improve Philippine conditions. For saying so, the student was arrested; not only that, charges have reportedly been filed against him. The Palace is claiming that the charges against the young man should not be viewed as a “suppression of the freedom of speech.” But it sure looks like it.
What if the young man shouted: “Aquino you’re awesome… keep being awesome, you awesome son-of-a-gun”? Would he have been arrested? Most likely, he would have been invited to the Palace for a photo-op with Aquino.
Being punished or dropped from foreign presidential entourages has been the experience of several individuals in government and media, who contradict Aquino’s delusions and illusions.
—MEL G. SANCHEZ,
melanie_sanchez1992@yahoo.com