Palace: Freedom, democracy very much alive in PH with Black Friday mass action

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque TOTO LOZANO / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

The Black Friday Protest in defense of press freedom is a proof that freedom and democracy are very much alive in the Philippines, Malacañang said on Friday.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque issued this statement as the media and other advocates of press freedom are set to hold a rally in Quezon City on Friday night.

“This evening’s Black Friday Protest for Freedom, organized by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), is a testament that freedom is alive and democracy is alive in the Philippines,” Roque said in a statement.

“The Palace position on the matter remains clear and consistent: We allow public displays of constructive criticism as part of full exercise of the protesters’ rights to express their grievances,” he added

The rally, spearheaded by the NUJP, was set after the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) ruled to revoke the license to operate of online news site Rappler.

READ: SEC orders Rappler to shut down

Roque said authorities would be observing maximum tolerance during the rally.

“Authorities, as a matter of standard operating procedure, will observe maximum tolerance and respect the protesters’ right to peaceful assembly,” he said. /jpv