By Gabriela Baron
Human rights lawyer Chel Diokno listed down tips on how to safely post opinions on social media.
"Hindi labag sa batas ang constructive criticism. Dahil sa positibong pagpuna, naitatama natin ang mga mali sa ating lipunan. Pero kahit pa ganun, ngayong may krisis e maraming pinag-iinitan dahil sa opinyon nila," Diokno wrote on Twitter Tuesday.
(Constructive criticisms aren't illegal. Because of positive criticism, we are able to right the wrong in our society. However, amid the crisis, there are people who are being harassed for voicing out their opinions.)
The Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) Chairman advised netizens to refrain from cursing, insulting others, and to ignore netizens who are also cursing and insulting others.
Diokno also encourages healthy debates, but if debates get heated, Diokno reminds netizens to just take a break and let anger subside.
"Wag makipag-away. Sabihin na ginagalang nyo ang opinyon nila at sana irespeto din nila ang inyo. (Don't start a fight with other people online. Just tell them you respect their opinion and they should respect yours as well)," he added.
Diokno also cautions netizens against posting anything that encourages government overthrow.
"Ito ay maaaring maging sanhi ng pagsampa ng kasong inciting to sedition or inciting to rebellion (This may result in the filing of a case inciting to sedition or inciting to rebellion against you)," he ended.