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‘To be neutral or silent in times of injustice is injustice’: Jennylyn Mercado to exercise her right to free speech even if she’s bashed

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<div><em>&quot;To be neutral or silent in times of injustice is injustice.&quot;</em></div><p>These were the words of Jennylyn Mercado when a netizen told her to stop giving her opinion on matters involving ABS-CBN. The actress has been very vocal about her support for the network after the House committee denied it a new franchise, voting 70 to 11, which shutdown the network for good on television and radio.</p><p>On Twitter, the netizen said, <em>&quot;[Hindi] masama ang magbigay ng opinyon, better maging neutral ka na lang para iwas bashing. At the end of the day [you&#x27;re] not [a] Kapamilya star.&quot;</em></p><p>In response, Jennylyn remarked, <em>&quot;But I am a Filipino and that alone is enough. To be neutral or silent in times of injustice is injustice.&quot;</em></p><p>She added that she&#x27;s okay being criticized as long as she can exercise her right to free speech. </p><p><em>&quot;If being ‘bashed’ is a small price to pay for practicing my right to freedom of speech. Then I am fine with it,&quot; </em>she said. </p><div><img alt="" src="https://push-data.abs-cbn.com/push/push/media/2020-july/071420/jennylyn-mercado-to-exercise-her-right-to-free-speech-even-if-shes-bashed.jpg"/></div><p>Following the decision of the House committee last July 10, Jennylyn took to social media to call out those who are rejoicing over denial of the network&#x27;s new franchise.</p><p>&quot;Sa mga lumuha at nawalan, our prayers and hearts are with you. Sa mga taong tuwang tuwa sa mga pangyayari, huwag niyo sana danasin ang lumuha din at mawalan,&quot; she wrote on her Facebook page. </p><div><a href="https://push.abs-cbn.com/2020/7/11/fresh-scoops/jennylyn-mercado-to-people-rejoicing-abs-cbn-being-230010"><strong><u>READ: Jennylyn Mercado to people rejoicing ABS-CBN being denied a franchise: ‘You are cruel’</u></strong></a></div><div><a href="https://push.abs-cbn.com/2020/6/19/fresh-scoops/jennylyn-mercado-rape-exists-because-of-rapists-229418"><strong><u>READ: Jennylyn Mercado: ‘Rape exists because of rapists’</u></strong></a></div><div><a href="https://push.abs-cbn.com/2020/5/15/fresh-scoops/nakalimutan-na-ba-natin-maging-makatao-jennyly-228468"><strong><u>READ: ‘Nakalimutan na ba natin maging makatao?’: Jennylyn Mercado appeals not to make fun of ABS-CBN stars</u></strong></a></div><p>She added, <em>&quot;Hindi ba na tinuruan tayo ng ating mga magulang na maging makatao sa kapwa? Rejoicing because of other people’s sorrow is not only wrong, but inhumane. You are cruel.&quot; </em></p><p>In the same Facebook post, the actress also urged the people to show compassion and don’t turn a blind eye on the sufferings of others. </p><p><em>“No network is perfect, policies can and will be improved. Ang importante ngayon ang mga taong nawalan ng trabaho lalo na at pandemya. Ang daling sabihin na okay lang sa inyo kasi sa tingin ninyo ay hindi kayo naapektuhan. Pero sana kahit saglit ay ilagay ninyo ang sarili sa posisyon nila. Huwag kayo maging manhid sa hirap na nararanasan ng iba,&quot; </em>she stated.</p>

Read Jennylyn Mercado’s response to a netizen who suggested she stop giving her opinion.