By Argyll Cyrus Geducos  Malacañang maintained that with President Duterte everyone is free to express their dissent against his administration as he respects criticisms as long as it is not baseless. Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo
(OPS / MANILA BULLETIN) Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo made the statement after the recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showed that over half of the Filipino people think freedom of speech is very strong in the Philippines. Read more: 6 out of 10 Pinoys believe there is freedom of speech Based on the survey conducted from June 22 to 26, 59 percent of Filipinos agree that they can say anything they want "openly and without fear, even if it is against the administration." Sixty-seven percent of Filipinos also concurred that mass media in the Philippines have freedom of speech, of expression and of the press. In his statement, Panelo said the results of the survey refute the claims of Duterte's critics that those speaking against the President are being harassed or silenced. "The survey results once again are a repudiation of the vociferous and unrelenting tirade of the critics and detractors of the President, as well as the opposition, that the freedoms of speech and of expression are being curtailed by the Administration. The survey rating means we have a vibrant and robust exercise of those freedoms," he said. The Palace official, however, said they are curious why 51 percent of Filipinos think that it is dangerous to print or broadcast anything critical against the Duterte administration. According to Panelo, Duterte has always encouraged people, even journalists, to freely express their sentiments. "We are curious as to why this could be so. The President respects criticisms as long as the same is not baseless, unfounded or false," he said. "He even urges the people, including writers and reporters, to freely express whatever sentiments they have," he added. Despite this, Panelo maintained that the Duterte administration is not in the business of curtailing one's right to freely air their grievances against the government. "Undeniably, dissent against this administration and its policies is loud and not curtailed. Statements of disagreement, objection or protest vis-à-vis the government are unceasing and widespread in all channels of media, including those in social media platforms reaching the global audience," he said. "We note however the probability that such manifestations of dissent come from three percent of Filipinos who have expressed their disapproval to the President," he added. Panelo then said that there is no such prior restraint or subsequent punishment for those who practice the freedom to dissent in the Duterte presidency. "As long as the speech or expression is within the ambit of the constitutional guarantees, it will not face any government interference," he said. He then urged Filipinos not to hesitate in expressing their thoughts on Duterte's policies, critical or otherwise. "Ours is a President who not only respects everyone's right to free speech but listens to our plight as he ensures that the fibers of our country's democracy are preserved and enhanced," Panelo said.