BY ARGYLL CYRUS B. GEDUCOS
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MALACANANG said actor Coco Martin’s tirades over the government’s order to shut down ABS-CBN’s broadcast operations proved that democracy is very much alive in the Philippines.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after the “FPJ’s Ang Probinsiyano” star blasted the cease and desist order issued by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) and urged fellow celebrities to push back.
“Hindi labanan ’to ng diplomasya. Binarubal na tayo. Tinarantado na tayo. Kinuha na iyong bahay natin. Anong ie-expect natin? Pagdadasal natin sila? Pinagdasal na natin sila,” he said.
“Dapat kumilos na tayo. Magsalita tayo. Kasi kung lahat tayo mananahimik, aabusuhin tayo niyan,” he added.
“Ito iyong pagkakataon natin. Wala na tayong trabaho. Ano ang iingatan natin,” he continued.
In an interview over state-run PTV-4, Roque said it was the tirades of the Kapamilya actor just showed that free speech is vibrant in the country.
“Yan naman po ay nagpapatunay na buhay ang demokrasya sa Pilipinas,” he said.
“Merong malayang pananalita at wala pong sumusupil sa kalayaan ni Coco Martin na magsalita,” he added.
Meanwhile, Roque left it to Congress if they will abolish the NTC because of its order to ABS-CBN to cease from broadcasting but said the Executive Branch will implement whatever the lawmakers’ decision will be.
“Independiyente at co-equal branch of government ‘yan. Kung talagang ia-abolish naman nila ang NTC, eh ipapatupad naman po ‘yan ng ating Executive Branch of government,” he said.
ABS-CBN stopped its broadcast operations on Tuesday to comply with the cease and desist order issued by the NTC because of their expired franchise.
