Herbie Gomez YOU have to give it to President-elect Rodrigo Duterte. He did not badmouth United Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban Ki-moon over the latter’s remarks at the  UN Correspondents Association Reception in New York last week. Zipping one’s lip in a situation like that is a wise thing to do. Ban told the foreign journalists: “I am extremely disturbed by recent remarks by the President-elect of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte. I unequivocally condemn his apparent endorsement of extrajudicial killing, which is illegal and a breach of fundamental rights and freedoms. Such comments are of particular concern in light of ongoing impunity for serious cases of violence against journalists in the Philippines. I will also continue to stand up for the rights of journalists and their defenders to be represented here at the United Nations.” As I write this, Duterte has kept mum but his spokesman, Salvador Panelo, spoke about it and maintained that the incoming President has never endorsed the killing of journalists. Panelo also asserted that Ban based his pronouncements on “incorrect news reports.” Panelo’s remarks were consistent with Duterte’s earlier reply to two UN special rapporteurs who decried the President-elect’s sending of “a permissive signal to potential killers that the murder of journalists is acceptable in certain circumstances and would not be punished.” To recall, Duterte told the UN rapporteurs: “Go home and get some sleep. You are overworked and sound beat. Your statement is anchored on the wrong premise... What I said is that you don’t have to be a journalist to be the subject of an assassination. There are many cases where journalists are killed by reason of their advocacies but there are those who are killed because they take sides and accept bribes and renege on their commitments.” We have heard Duterte trash and badmouth the UN after his election, and he cussed at the Pope earlier (although he would later apologize). Apparently on an impulse, he dared the US and Australia at the height of the campaign period to sever their diplomatic ties with the Philippines if he became President because their ambassadors openly frowned over his rape joke. This time, although he can, I am glad that Duterte held back and didn’t open his mouth on an impulse right after Ban expressed his worry. It’s wise to choose your battles. I hope it stays that way. He cannot run amok and fight the world. Talo tayo dyan.
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“I cannot be held responsible for what my face does when you talk.” I nearly fell from my seat laughing when I stumbled on this hilarious gem. I have never heard anyone put it that way. But that, in a nutshell, is what freedom of speech and expression is all about. I’m just amazed by the stupidity of some people who can’t seem to grasp the meaning of this freedom. It seems to me that they are actually convinced that their right to free speech and expression gives them immunity from criticisms by other people who exercise that same right. Of course, the one who exercises this right and his ideas may be criticized. Where did this imaginary entitlement and very ridiculous idea that they are exempted from criticisms come from? Let me be very clear on this: my respect for the right of people to say what they want to say doesn’t oblige me to respect their views or the people exercising that right. Express it, speak your mind, be my guest, but if you or your views are worth disrespecting, I will not hesitate for a moment to challenge or show my disrespect for your preposterous ideas using sound ideas. A good argument demolishes bad ideas, and anyone who categorically states that bullets may be used to kill ideas is a moron. Indeed, Benjamin Franklin was correct in saying that “we are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid.” Pastilan.