Freedom of Expression

This past few days, news media have shamelessly twisted President Duterte's words in a seamless fashion that those readers and spectators who did not set aside time to dig deeper blatantly misunderstood his speeches. These news befuddled the Filipinos who put it upon themselves to voice out their opinions regarding the President's latest 'brand of diplomacy'. What was only a remark to remind an intervening foreign leader to mind his own business turned into a nasty piece of article brought about by the circulating twisted headlines from the media. News nowadays are too non-regulated and bordering to a lie. Media outlets seem to set aside ethical and responsible journalism for 'clicks and views'. These people have obviously enjoyed too much of their freedom of speech as well.

 Thus, I speak in the name of the same freedom.Let me begin by saying I was shocked at how ruthless our fellow citizens could be. While the president is dead-on making ways to create progress for this country as well as preserve its sovereignty, some people who call themselves Filipinos, ordinary and government officials alike, criticized him for standing up to what he believes is right for the country and the people and even stood on his way towards his goal.

I know it doesn't matter what you do, because there will always be someone who will find fault in it. But come on people! You have called him a 'loose cannon', a 'psychopath', 'Philippine's version of Hitler', a 'murderer' and whatnot simply because you do not see eye to eye with him. You failed to see it in his perspectives. You did not 'try' to understand his motives and reasons. 

And I seriously think the root of all these issues is that people failed to know and understand him as a person. They didn't know the culture of the place he lived in. They didn't know how sharp Cebuano expressions could get when we are most frustrated and our emotions go overdrive wherein most of the times those shouldn't be taken literally. He may not be a man of perfect morals as those hypocrites who berate him for every single thing he does but he is a man who's willing to live the true definition of service and loyalty to his country no matter what. They failed to see him as a man who genuinely loves his country and its people. And that for me ladies and gentlemen is what defines a real leader.

I don't know about you but I am personally grateful to be a part of an era where a person like him leads. Somebody who is not afraid to take a stand for himself and for his people. He ain't no saint. But he is, for me, a modern hero with an armor of hope, brandishing a sword of courage and a shield of determination. I know I'm ranting and getting off-topic but well... what can I say? I also have my freedom thank you very much.