Bloggers for Freedom? Malacanang Now Knows Who Are Against Them!

Wazzup Pilipinas!

We came across a very vague statement from a group of bloggers led by personalities known to be critics in the political arena. They present a statement with no background details about the issues to guide those unaware of what's happening in the Philippines, particularly the conflict between an online publication and the government.

The online publication says their freedom is beibg suppressed by the malicious tactics of the current administration and even pinpoints President Duterte as their main oppressor.

Meanwhile, both the government agency and Malacanang denies they are conspiring to bring the online publication down.

Do you agree to what these bloggers say? They say they "stand against moves to silence and scare journalists, bloggers and media practitioners just because the President and his ardent supporters dislike their news and views."

But is the President really behind the move of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to shut down Rappler because of an unlawful clause in their PDR with Omidyar Network that supposedly violates the constitution?

Does it mean the people behind SEC are to be questioned as well for following the dictate of Malacanang? Or whoever asked them to check on Rappler?

Is the administration really aiming to shut down one by one the media outfits that are too critical of him?

Well, now Malacanang knows who are against them....but crying out for "the rights to free expression and to free speech" as their defense.

However, could Rappler just remove the controversial "clause" in their PDR with Omidyar Network so the SEC could let them function again? Is it that easy, or too complicated to comprehend so I should just shut up and let them cry all over social media.

Until now we do not even know who are the real owners of Rappler aside from Maria Ressa. Their statements on their site are equally vague and lacks the information we need to justify their counter against the accusations thrown at them.

After all, not even media, or bloggers, should be above the law, regardless of how they push their defense as free press with not influence by their investors, would you agree that foreigners should have control over our media outfits?

The drama unfolds. Is it better than our teleseryes?

I know most of the bloggers that signed up on the list, but there are a larger number of bloggers out there that are not among them. Most of them are indeed critics of the administration if you'll read their newsfeeds.

Well, I guess they do have the right to express themselves. But they should also not prevent or contradict others who also openly express their opinions, whether pro-admin or not. They should not try to badmouth other bloggers that do not belong to their group, or whom they believe is against their envisioned reality of how bloggers should act, talk, write or behave, so that everyone could indeed have the freedom they are fighting for.

Sadly, some of these bloggers are the ones who rant against their fellow bloggers for ulterior motives that are only beneficial to themselves and their group. They would even make fun of other bloggers who do not meet their expectations, and conspire to destroy them.

Praying that they be enlightened.

#BloggersForFreedom #DefendPressFreedom

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Statement: Bloggers for Freedom

We concerned Filipino bloggers stand for the rights to free expression and to free speech. And our first responsibility is to protect these rights.

We thus stand with Rappler, its right to exist, the rights of its working journalists and contributors, and the rights of its community of readers.

We stand against moves to silence and scare journalists, bloggers and media practitioners just because the President and his ardent supporters dislike their news and views.

Now is a time for making choices amid battles between truth and lies, debate and dissonance, democracy and dictatorship.

We sign our names here to tell everyone we have made a choice. We are bloggers for freedom.

Noemi Lardizabal-Dado
Tonyo Cruz
Dale Bacar
Marcelle Fabie
Myk Mykapalaran Cruz
Rod Magaru
Ely Valendez
Alex Lapa
Tess Termulo
Zena Bernardo
Jover Laurio
James Romer V. Velina
Ramon Nocon
Flow Galindez
Helga Weber
Mc Richard Viana Paglicawan
Raymond Palatino
Loi Landicho
Saul de Jesus
Karlo Mongaya
Ricky Rivera
Mark Will Mayo Magallanes
Eyriche Cortez
Julius Mariveles
Yusuf Ledesma
RJ Barrete
Dino Manrique
Peachy Tan
Rhadem Camlian Morados
Julius Rocas
Jon Limjap
Markku Seguerra
Jam Ancheta
Estan Cabigas
Enrico Dee
Acee Vitangcol
Stefan Punongbayan
Jesus Falcis
Hancel Reyes
Czarina Maye Noche
JM Mariano
Reginald Agsalon
John Clifford Sibayan
Jane Uymatiao
Johnn Mendoza
Carlos Celdran
Christian Melanie
Jann Medina
Carlo Arvisu
Inday Espina Varona
Eugene Alvin Villar
Melo Villareal
Brian Ong
JM Tuazon
Fritz Tentativa
Fitz Villafuerte
Tina Antonio
Mykel Andrada
Reynaldo Pagsolingan Jr.
Renz Daniel de Vera

Published on January 19, 2018, Black Friday.