VANCOUVER, Canada — Malacañang said on Friday (Saturday in Manila) that the government was unaffected by protests staged by the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) and Filipinos overseas who disagree with its actions.
“The question is whether what they are shouting is true, whether it has basis, or if it is merely intended to discredit the country and bring down the image of the Philippines in the eyes of other nations,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro told reporters here.
However, she said the government recognizes that protests are parts of a democratic society.
Castro stressed that criticisms should be supported by evidence, and slander is destructive.
“Shouldn’t we love our own country, and not tarnish it through baseless claims? We should not destroy our own nation,” the Palace official said.
“All those who are protesting — if you all have evidence, you are free to speak. Although there is freedom of expression, what they are saying now has no basis and is nothing but noise,” she added.
Castro called for respect despite political differences after a group of Filipinos in Vancouver confronted her and her team.
She said they were filming the president’s activities in Canada when a Filipino approached them and shouted anti-Marcos remarks.
“He asked me who Claire was, and I said, ‘Yes,’ and that was when he shouted, ‘You ask your President to resign,’” Castro said in a chance interview here.
She added that the encounter interrupted their work as more protesters gathered and chanted anti-Marcos sentiments.
“We have freedom of expression, but there is no need to be rude. You are Filipinos. That is not how Filipinos should behave,” Castro said, adding that she was also called ugly and a liar.
“I don’t know if they intended to hurt us or whoever their idol is, it felt like they are used to violence,” she said, adding they opted to seek police assistance.
“We are not here on vacation. We’re just doing our job. If that is really how Filipinos will behave, you will not progress. In the end, you will only hurt yourselves,” she said.
