Du30 respects criticisms – Palace

President Rodrigo Duterte respects all criticisms and negative comments being thrown at his administration as long as it has basis, according to Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo. PCOO
President Rodrigo Duterte respects all criticisms and negative comments being thrown at his administration as long as it has basis, according to Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo. PCOO

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte respects all criticisms and negative comments being thrown at his administration as long as it has basis, according to Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo.

Panelo made the statement following the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showing the freedom of expression under the Duterte administration was “very strong.”

“The President respects criticisms as long as the same is not baseless, unfounded or false. He even urges the people, including writers and reporters, to freely express whatever sentiments they have,” Panelo said.

“The survey results showed repudiation of the vociferous and unrelenting tirade of the critics of the President, as well as the opposition, that the freedoms of speech and of expression are being curtailed by the Administration,” he added.

“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,” Panelo said.

Based on the survey results released over the weekend, 59 percent agreed they can speak “openly and without fear” even if it is against the government.

Eighteen percent disagreed and 23 percent were undecided. This yielded a net agreement score of plus-41, classified by SWS as “very strong.” It was 18 points above the “moderate” plus-23 net score recorded on Dec. 2018.

In the same survey, SWS found that 51 percent of Filipinos agreed printing or broadcasting anything critical of the administration is “dangerous… even if it is the truth” while 20 percent believed otherwise and 29 percent were undecided./PN

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