MANILA, Philippines – The Palace stressed that President Rodrigo Duterte is open to dialogue with Facebook following the Chief Executive’s remarks on the social media giant during his Talk to the People Address on Monday, September 28.
“Gusto ni Presidente na makipag-usap kasama ang Facebook matapos tanggalin ng social media giant ang ilan sa mga advocacy pages na pabor po sa gobyerno,” said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, Jr. during his regular press briefing in Malacañan.
Sec. Harry Roque Jr. expressed dismay on what he perceives as “censorship” on the social media platform, especially when the content is in favor of the government.
“Ang konkretong aksyon po ay huwag pong supilin ang kalayaan po ng malayang pananalita ng mga personalidad o ng mga pages na pabor po sa gobyerno. Kasi ang nangyayari po, kapag laban sa gobyerno hindi po tinatanggal ng Facebook, kapag sumusuporta sa gobyerno natatanggal po,” underscored Sec. Roque.
The Palace official expressed hope that the issue will be resolved without necessarily resulting in a Facebook ban in the country, as President Duterte, according to his spokesman, has long been an advocate of free marketplace of ideas.
“Matagal na pong nanininidigan ang ating Pangulo para sa malayang pananalita,” said Roque.
Roque added that both the Chief Executive and Facebook advance the right to free speech. “Ang sabi naman ng Presidente, pag-usapan yan, dahil pare-pareho naman silang sinusulong ang karapatan ng malayang pananalita at yung malayang merkado ng mga idea.”
— The Summit Express
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| President Rodrigo Roa Duterte presides over a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members prior to his talk to the people at the Malago Clubhouse in Malacañang on September 28, 2020. Photo Credit: PCOO |
Sec. Harry Roque Jr. expressed dismay on what he perceives as “censorship” on the social media platform, especially when the content is in favor of the government.
“Ang konkretong aksyon po ay huwag pong supilin ang kalayaan po ng malayang pananalita ng mga personalidad o ng mga pages na pabor po sa gobyerno. Kasi ang nangyayari po, kapag laban sa gobyerno hindi po tinatanggal ng Facebook, kapag sumusuporta sa gobyerno natatanggal po,” underscored Sec. Roque.
The Palace official expressed hope that the issue will be resolved without necessarily resulting in a Facebook ban in the country, as President Duterte, according to his spokesman, has long been an advocate of free marketplace of ideas.
“Matagal na pong nanininidigan ang ating Pangulo para sa malayang pananalita,” said Roque.
Roque added that both the Chief Executive and Facebook advance the right to free speech. “Ang sabi naman ng Presidente, pag-usapan yan, dahil pare-pareho naman silang sinusulong ang karapatan ng malayang pananalita at yung malayang merkado ng mga idea.”
— The Summit Express
