Journalist Erwin Tulfo discussed the viral cheer routine of the University of the Philippines – Visayas Skimmers after it received backlash from the supporters of President Rodrigo Duterte.
The performance of the UP Skimmers received millions of views on social media after they discussed their opinions against the current administration via a cheer routine.
Tulfo asked his audience if the cheer routine of UP Skimmers is still part of the freedom of expression or already an act of sedition which is punishable by law.
“Bakit daw magagalit ang mga Duterte supporters eh yun daw ay freedom of expression, naiintindihan ko yung sinasabi ninyo ma’am at sir sa UP, mayroon po tayong kalayaan sa pamamahayag,” Tulfo said.
“Pero kung ang freedom na yan ay sumusupil sa isa pang kalayaan eh hindi na po magiging freedom yan, kapag niyuyurakan mo na yung kalayaan ng iba ay bawal,” he added.
The journalist also urged the officials of UP to review the statements of the Skimmers.
Tulfo also narrated that he was once an activist but he didn’t wish harm to the leader of the government.
“Kayong mga taga-UP at estudyante na aktibista na makakaliwa, pare-pareho tayong naging estudyante. Sumali rin ako sa mga rally at nagalit din ako sa mga Pangulo (noon). Ang sinabi, ‘ibagsak at lansagin ang diktadurya. Sipain sa pwesto at palayasin sa Malacañang’. ‘Yun ang sinasabi ng mga estudyante noon. Walang sinabi noon na paslangin ang Pangulo na iyan,” he said.
According to Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, people should think twice before releasing a statement because there’s also a limit on freedom of expression.
“Dapat careful lang tayo sa mga sinasabi natin, parang medyo napupunta ka na doon sa linya na baka mag overstep na kayo ng bounderies, basta nirerespeto naman natin ang karapatang pantao ng lahat pero dapat maging careful parin tayo,” Nograles said.
