The petition for a gag order filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida is an obvious attempt to silence all voices opposed to this government’s push to shut down ABS-CBN.

This is evident in Calida’s asking the high court to gag “parties and persons acting on (ABS-CBN’s) behalf.”

Does he also seek to silence press freedom advocates and media organizations who rightly see these attacks on ABS-CBN and other news outfits that have earned the president’s personal enmity as assaults on the critical Philippines media and on freedom of the press and expression?

Does he also seek to silence lawmakers who have criticized his quo warranto petition as an encroachment into Congress’ authority to grant franchises in violation of the principle of co-equal and independent branches of government?

Does he also seek to silence the millions of Filipinos, both here and abroad, who are fans of ABS-CBN’s shows and who have spoken out in defense of the network?

Does he also seek to silence the thousands of workers whose livelihoods have been placed at risk?

With the clearly broad opposition to the shutdown and a Senate hearing on the issue coming up, we are calling Calida’s intention for what it is, the suppression of truth and the silencing of critical voices.

National Directorate
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