‘What is essential is invisible to trolls’

Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto urged Filipino youth to shun what he said were mere publicity stunts and devote time and attention to policies that have a direct impact on people’s lives.

“The screaming headlines and the most incensing memes that divide us are not this country’s main problems,” Recto said in a speech at the 70th anniversary of US-Philippine exchange student program.

“Bad policies wreak more havoc than blasphemy,” Recto said.

“What is essential is invisible to the trolls,” he added, apparently referring to President Rodrigo Duterte’s “stupid God” remark that drew flak in social media. —Yara Lukman