Malacañang has accepted the resignation of a commissioner of the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF).
(TWITTER / MANILA BULLETIN)
Jerry Gracio has tendered his resignation letter as KWF commissioner for Samar-Leyte languages in protest against the alleged “fascist government." The letter, submitted last July 11, was made public by Gracio on his Twitter account on Monday.
“That’s his prerogative and that’s his opinion. We let it be,” Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said during a televised Palace press briefing Monday when asked about Gracio’s resignation.
Gracio, in his letter to President Duterte, said he actually resigned twice in the past but was compelled to stay due to lack of replacement. The multi-awarded poet and scriptwriter was appointed by then President Aquino as KWF commissioner in 2013 with a term until January 2017.
He explained that as a writer, he could no longer work in an administration that does not value human rights and free speech as well (as) blatantly advances fascism. "I cannot any more serve a fascist government, even on a holdover capacity," Gracio tweeted Monday, sharing a copy of his resignation letter.
Gracio is also reportedly a senior writer at ABS-CBN network, which recently lost its bid for a fresh franchise from Congress.