Matapos hindi dumalo nang ipatawag sa pagdinig ng Kamara nitong Martes, Pebrero 4, naglabas ng pahayag ang blogger na si Mark Lopez, kung saan nagpasalamat siya sa kanilang mga tagasuporta at sinabing ang kanila raw laban ay “laban ng sambayanang Pilipino.”
Sa isinagawang press conference nitong Martes, Pebrero 4, binasa ni Lopez ang kaniyang pahayag kaninang umaga matapos daw niyang magdesisyong hindi dumalo sa pagdinig ng Kamara hinggil imbestigasyon nito sa “narco-blogger” na umano’y nagpapakalat ng “fake news” sa social media.
“I were supposed to stand in front of this committee today, in what has been asserted as an inquiry on ‘fake news peddlers,’ ‘narco-bloggers,’ and ‘Pogo-funded bloggers’ in aid of legislation,” ani Lopez sa kaniyang pahayag.
Binanggit din ng blogger na noong una raw niyang matanggap ang imbitasyon, naging “excited” pa siyang dumalo dahil nais din umano niyang ihayag ang kaniyang panig mula sa pagiging isang ordinaryong mamamayan patungo sa pagiging isang “blogger.”
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“Mind you, I have never really considered myself as such, and whenever people ask me even in formal events, I would rather call myself as a social media activist. Perhaps the label ‘blogger’ stuck to us out of necessity and simplicity so that many of us who actively utilize socmed [social media] as the platform to express our sentiment can be lumped into an aggrupation, or an organized entity,” aniya.
“Maybe the need to label us as such stem also from the phenomenal growth of social media as the new, alternative media so to speak.”
Iginiit din ni Lopez na ang pag-imbita raw ng Kamara sa kaniya at 40 iba pang “blogger” ay patunay ng pagkilala umano sa kapangyarihan ng opinyon ng publiko.
“I’ve said this before, and I say this again - Social Media is the new EDSA, as its strength lies in the collective voice of those whose sentiments resonate with the majority of the public,” giit ni Lopez.
“Your invitation to 40 of these so called ‘bloggers’ is actually proof of government’s acknowledgement of the force and sway we hold in public opinion, even as you are still confused on what really is the definition of our endeavor, and to the larger extent, how information is disseminated.”
Kaugnay nito, sinabi ni Lopez na tumanggi siya sa imbitasyon ng Kamara hindi dahil sa takot o “intimidated” siya, bagkus ay dahil napagtanto umano niyang walang kapangyarihan ang mga mambabatas sa kaniya.
“I was made to realize that you really have no power over me. It is actually the reverse,” giit niya.
Dagdag pa ni Lopez: “Our Constitution, the supreme law of the land, of which you are supposed to uphold, says so, in its Preamble, and in Article II, DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES AND STATE POLICIES
Section 1, which clearly state: ‘The Philippines is a democratic and republican State. Sovereignty resides in the people and ALL GOVERNMENT AUTHORITY EMANATES FROM THEM’.”
“In the absence of any formal charge or indictment, or a formal appointment, I do not have any legal persona except as a Citizen of the Republic of the Philippines.”
Binigyang-diin din ng social media personality na “unconstitutional” umano ang imbestigasyon ng Kamara sa ilalim ng Article III BILL OF RIGHTS.
Binanggit din niya ang Section 4 ng article na nagsasabing: “No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances.”
Samantala, nagbigay rin ng mensahe si Lopez kina Congressman Dan Fernandez at Congressman Ace Barbers at sinabing wala umanong basehan o “solid legal ground” ang kanilang imbestigasyon.
“May I suggest that before you proceed with gathering us so-called bloggers, your committee should first understand what you want to do as against what you are only allowed to do under our laws,” ani Lopez.
“I assert that your supposed legislation is legally flawed and whimsical, maybe because the only motivation you have right now is that you cannot stand criticism, ridicule and shame on how you behave and conduct yourselves as legislators.
“Mind you that as citizens, we can do that under our laws, and your decision to be public servants warrant that you accept that as part and parcel of your chosen path,” dagdag pa niya.
Iginiit din ni Lopez na nagbibigay lamang umano siya ng saloobin sa social media sa pamamagitan ng pag-exercise ng kaniyang “right to free speech and expression.”
“Since I have no official or formal designation nor actual credential other than being a citizen, I do not see myself having any input in aid of your legislation,” ani Lopez.
“I therefore invoke my rights as provided for in the Constitution, and decline your invitation. And I commit that I will continue to hold you accountable and responsible because you chose to be servants of the Filipino people.”“Tuloy lang po yung ating laban, dahil hindi lamang po ito laban namin. Laban po natin itong lahat. Laban po ito ng sambayanang Pilipino,” saad pa niya.
