BY GEROME DALIPE IV
ILOILO City – Will the ban on guests wearing outfits with protest messages or symbols during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s third State of the Nation Address (SONA) today violate people’s rights?
Lawyer Mel Sta. Maria, a prominent legal expert and law professor, believes so.
“Protest is part of democracy as long as it is not violent. To wear an armband or outfit as a sign of protest is within the constitutional guarantee of freedom of speech/expression,” Sta. Maria said in a social media post.
Some militant legislators traditionally wear outfits with images and messages of protest or criticism of government policies during the SONA.
However, House Secretary General Reginald Velasco was quoted as saying that guests wearing outfits with derogatory words or political messages would be banned from attending the event and would be asked to change their attire.
Velasco said the SONA is a formal event and is not the time and place for protests. Such restrictions are enforced to prevent disruptions, maintain decorum, and focus on the official proceedings.
But Sta. Maria disagreed, noting that SONA is an event vested with the public interest, and the Batasang Pambansa, the venue of the event, is “the house of the people” and does not belong to Congress.
“Democratic values should not be stifled, unless there is clear and present danger that the state shall be destroyed. Nothing of this sort will happen,” the lawyer stressed.
Sta. Maria emphasized that freedom of expression is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Philippine Constitution. Hence, this right includes the ability to wear clothing with political messages, particularly in a public and politically significant event like the SONA.
The right to free speech and expression is protected under Article III, Section 4 of the 1987 Constitution. This right includes the freedom to express political views, which can encompass wearing protest messages.
Wearing outfits with protest messages is a form of symbolic speech, which is protected under the broader umbrella of free expression.
Likewise, Sta. Maria said the House rule on protest outfits is a show of ignorance and disrespects the values of the Philippines as a free nation.
“Hindi ito pribadong party o fiesta na pwede kang magtakda ng mga di-makademokratikong alituntunin. The Congress does not own the congressional building. Nakakahiya!” the lawyer lamented.
Marcos Jr. had said his third SONA will focus on updates on the administration’s efforts to uplift the lives of Filipinos, improve the economy, and address criminality and other social problems in the country.
Meanwhile, Rep. Julienne “Jam” Baronda said Ilonggos anticipate Marcos to underscore how his administration is gaining ground in uplifting the lives of the Filipino people partly through the investments that were forged in his various state visits, rebooting our economy.
“It would also be good to know how our people have been impacted by his directive to bring government services closer to their homes, as well as how the flagship “Build Better More” infrastructure initiatives have been transforming our communities,” said Baronda.
The Ilonggos are also eager to hear updates about the Iloilo-Guimaras bridge project, which is expected to spur regional economic growth, she stressed.
“Having seen PBBM steer our country for the past two years, I can say that progress is inevitable. With resilience, determination, and strong faith in God and in our DNA as a Filipino nation, it is without doubt, that we shall reach Bagong Pilipinas,” she added./PN
