GMA’s Jennylyn Mercado on ABS-CBN issue: To be silent in times of injustice is injustice

MANILA, Philippines — GMA Kapuso actress Jennylyn Mercado recently clapped back at individuals who asked her to stay neutral or silent on the junked franchise application of ABS-CBN.

But I am a Filipino and that alone is enough.
To be neutral or silent in times of injustice is injustice.
If being “bashed” is a small price to pay for practicing my right to freedom of speech. Then I am fine with it. pic.twitter.com/CKeTsnUbr1

— jennylyn mercado (@MercadoJen) July 13, 2020

“But I am a Filipino and that alone is enough,” Jennylyn  said on Twitter after a netizen advised  her to be neutral or silent about the issue, since she is not even a part of the embattled Kapamilya network.

“To be neutral or silent in times of injustice is injustice,” she added.

“If being ‘bashed’ is a small price to pay for practicing my right to freedom of speech. Then I am fine with it.”

Jennylyn earlier lashed out at the people who rejoiced over the “killed” franchise bid of the TV network.

The House of Representatives’ Committee on Legislative Franchises junked ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal bid after seventy lawmakers adopted the report of the technical working group, which recommended the denial of the network’s franchise application.

Jennylyn likewise asked her bashers if expressing one’s opinions has ever been considered wrong

One quick reminder to the people na nagrereply ng “shhh”, “shut up” o “tumahimik ka nilang”, at “huwag ka mangelam”… ❤️

Respecting other people’s opinion is a value you seem to have forgotten… pic.twitter.com/4wDwTuwgwP

— jennylyn mercado (@MercadoJen) July 13, 2020

“[Kailan] naging mali ang ‘mangialam’ o speak out?” the actress answered her detractors in another tweet.

“Have you forgotten that one of our basic rights is Kalayaan ng Pananalita (freedom of speech)?” she added.

“The moment you hinder someone from speaking their mind is the moment you failed to respect the rights of your fellow Filipino.”
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