Militant solons: Aquino ‘not statesmanlike’ with reaction toward student heckler

MANILA, Philippines—Militant solons on Monday alleged that President Benigno Aquino III was not being a statesman for allowing the filing of charges against the Ateneo student who disrupted his Independence Day speech on June 12.

Ateneo De Naga student Em Mijares interrupted Aquino’s speech in Naga City before he was escorted by security. Mijares reportedly shouted “Patalsikin ang Pork Barrel King! Walang pagbabago sa Pilipinas!”

Mijares was charged with “tumults and other disturbances of public order” and creating “alarm and public scandal.” He was also charged with assault on agent of authority.

Gabriela Rep. Luz Ilagan said Aquino was not being a statesman when he reacted by filing charges against the Ateneo student heckler.

“The President was not being a statesman. A true statesman would not be too sensitive…” Ilagan said in Filipino during a press conference on Monday.

“If the President is being overly sensitive, he should not be in public office,” Ilagan added.

ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio said too that Aquino has not learned from other world leaders who’ve learned to adjust with hecklers.

Tinio cited US President Barack Obama whom he said manages to joke with hecklers.

“Aquino has not learned from other world leaders… At least, Obama was able to use his charisma to handle hecklers,” Tinio said in Filipino.

Anakpawis Rep. Fernando Hicap added that it seems a policy under the Aquino administration to suppress freedom of expression. He cited his experience of being arrested when he was at a fact-finding mission in the Hacienda Luisita.

Mijares was present at the news briefing. He said he did not resist the police as he was being escorted out, adding that the purportedly trumped up charge of assault against him was meant to prolong his detention. He posted bail from the raps.

In a radio interview, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said the administration did not instigate the filing of charges against Mijares.

She added that the raps were filed by the Philippine National Police in Naga City and not the Presidential Security Group.