“It’s your right as Filipino to speak up, question and be involved.”
Janine Gutierrez responded to comments asking her to stay out of political issues. On June 15, the Kapuso star urged her fellow Filipinos to stay informed and to speak up.
“@comments na ‘sana hindi ka nalang makisali sa political issues’ to anyone who gets this too, pls don’t be swayed. It’s your right as a Filipino to speak up, question and be involved. I will keep repeating THAT YOUR VOICE MATTERS,” she wrote.
In another tweet, she stressed that an individual’s career or different beliefs should not hinder their responsibility to stay informed and vocal.
“Kahit ano pa ang trabaho mo o kahit naiiba ang paniniwala mo sa nakararami, una sa lahat, Pilipino ka. May karapatan ka at may responsibilidad ka. Stay informed. Speak,” she said.
“To those people who say those comments & promote this culture of silence — you’re killing our democracy,” she added.
The 30-year-old also expressed her agreement with a netizen who responded to her series of tweets.
“That’s true. However, with the responsibility of speaking out, you also have an added duty to check and recheck your information. What we want to cultivate is an environment that is both critical and unbiased,” the Twitter user said.
On June 11, her fellow Kapuso Jennylyn Mercado appealed for respect on social media after a Facebook netizen belittled her for posting her opinion online.
“Artista ka lang. Umarte o kumanta ka nalang,” the netizen said.
The actress responded that her being a celebrity does not affect her freedom to express herself.
“Hindi po porke’t artista ay wala na kaming kalayaan upang i-express ang sarili at gamitin ang aming plataporma para magbigay at mamahagi ng impormasyon,” she said.
