Sen. Miriam Santiago’s advice for Netizens to launch a shame campaign against corrupt public officials and politicians isn’t new. However, it is fraught with danger owing to the Supreme Court ruling that upheld the online libel provision in the Anti-Cybercrime Law.
Even before the SC ruling, people have used Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr and other social media to air their sentiments on a number of issues, including the then ongoing debate over the online libel provision inserted by Sen. Tito Sotto III.
Despite the SC ruling, expect the Pinoy Netizens to be more creative in criticizing their favorite politicians and issues. This widely-circulated parable, for example, clearly illustrates the contempt held by Filipinos for the Aquino administration:
A plane is about to crash somewhere in the Pacific Ocean and there are only three parachutes for four passengers.
The first passenger, President Benigno Aquino III, said, “I am the President of the Philippines and the country needs me.” and takes the first parachute, jumping off the plane.
The second passenger, Interior and Local Governments Secretary Mar Roxas, said, “I am the 2016 presidential contender and the country needs me as well.” and takes the second parachute.
The third passenger, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, tells the boy passenger “I have lived a full life and I have no regrets. You take the last parachute, you still have a future ahead of you.”
To this the boy replied, “That’s all right, mayor, take this parachute. There is still one more parachute because the President got my backpack.”
Considering that the President is a good sport, he would laugh and maybe even share it with his friends (or not). Not all public officials and politicians share the same sense of humor, however. Just ask dyAB station manager Leo Lastimosa about that.
Politicians will use every advantage at their disposal to silence critics, including the newly SC approved online libel ruling, while using the same social media to further advance their political agenda.
Santiago, who was named a leading presidential contender in an online survey recently, uses Facebook, Twitter and all sorts of social media to speak out her mind on a variety of issues including the ongoing investigation on the pork barrel controversy.
Still, her suggestion deserves some consideration insofar as reminding these politicians and public officials both elected and appointed on what they are mandated to do for their constituents.
Social media is there not just for enjoyment but for the public to use as an instrument in keeping their officials honest. It’s time they make full use of it.
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