With
regards to the subject of the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill being passed by the
lawmakers –
The Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards,
Inc. (PEBA) believes that we live in a pluralist society where various groups
have differing beliefs and convictions.
We believe that each one of us
has the freedom to act or not to act according to what one believes in and that
the church or the state should not compel or prevent the Filipinos to do
something he believes in.
We believe the need to respect
each individual blogger’s opinion to write, post, and act according to one’s
belief on the issue and we do not, as a group, endorse or oppose the RH Bill.
We believe, it is right for us to
support the principles of the bill that will serve the welfare of the nation,
especially the poor women who cannot afford the escalating cost of medical
services.
As an association and network of bloggers that
recognizes and honors the blogging works of Filipinos worldwide –
We believe in the right to
freedom of speech as a human right.
We believe in the right to
freedom of expression to receive and impart information.
We believe that blogging is an
expression of one’s opinions, beliefs, personal experiences, hobbies,
commentaries, diaries and we further believe that every blogger has the right
to publish his personal expressions and opinions.
We believe that the exercise of
these freedoms is not an absolute right but carries with it duties and
responsibilities, that may be subject to restrictions or penalties on specific
grounds as prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society, in the
interests and protection of the reputation or rights of others.
With
these beliefs –
We regard Senator Tito Sotto,
III’s answer to Headstart - ANC’s interview as a discriminate, reckless,
foolish, rash and irresponsible reply of one who is supposed to coax people
into belief and following.
We regard his statement: “Bakit ko naman
iko-quote ang blogger? Blogger lang iyon.” as a blatant mockery of bloggers worldwide.
We regard his statement to as one
that lacks truth, full of ignorance, and inexcusable especially coming from a
Senator.
We regard his statement as
tactless and offensive, trying to make a lame excuse and to extricate himself
from his plagiarism, at the expense of the bloggers.
We regard his statement as a
clear display of arrogance, done in a distasteful manner with blind
indifference and unjust condemnation of millions of bloggers worldwide.
We regard his statement to have
overstepped the bounds of sensitivity and responsibility of a decent mind and
an accountable and supposedly sensible Senator.
Therefore, we the Pinoy
Expats/OFW Bloggers Award, Inc., together with the other Filipino bloggers and
bloggers worldwide will not allow this kind of humiliation to pass without
making a stand.
We strongly condemn this
irresponsible statement of Senator Tito Sotto, III.
We consider Senator Tito
Sotto, III as an Anti-Blogger persona.
We call on the Senate's
Ethics & Privileges Committee to investigate on the allegation of
plagiarism committed by Senator Tito Sotto, III in his privilege speech.
We demand a retraction and
an apology from Senator Tito Sotto III for the alleged plagiarism, and for his irresponsible
and demeaning statement about bloggers!
©2012 Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards
