Speak not in the ear of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.”
A concerned citizen who posted a video of a dangerous footbridge online this month learned the wisdom of this biblical passage when the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) threatened to sue him for his trouble.
On Feb. 14, Pio Fortuno Jr. posted a video of a footbridge along the intersection of Mindanao and Congressional avenues, showing cables and wires crossing the pedestrian walkway, posing a threat of tripping.
The video, posted on his Facebook page, has been shared 22, 689 times—enough, apparently, to draw the attention of the MMDA.
In an interview with CNN Philippines, MMDA Chairman Jojo Garcia said they find the video malicious, as the footbridge has yet to be officially opened for public use.
He accused Fortuno of forcing his way onto the footbridge and said he would investigate a witness report that a security guard had unsuccessfully tried to stop him—charges that Fortuno has denied.
The MMDA chairman said his agency’s legal department would file charges of malicious mischief, trespassing and possibly cyber libel, as what he reported was untrue.
In a separate interview, an MMDA spokesperson also accused Fortuno of removing barriers to the unfinished footbridge, another allegation that he denies.
"I find it amazing that MMDA said they interviewed a security guard who said he tried to stop me. That is just nuts. First of all the stairs were wide open," Fortuno told CNN Philippines. "Second, the security guards couldn't care less who go[es] up the stairs. It's not their mandate to do so. Third, the corner where I went up, there is no establishment near there, hence no security guard."
Fortuno said people around the area will testify that there were no barriers or even warning tape, and that some people had already begun using the footbridge.
If indeed there were barriers, these were clearly insufficient—and it would be wrong to assume that Fortuno removed them because anybody else could have done so. The failure to keep the public out of an unfinished bridge falls on the MMDA, which could have easily boarded up the entryways and posted large “Danger: Keep Out” signs. They obviously did not do this.
In view of all this, we have a few questions for the MMDA chairman and other government officials who believe they are above criticism.
1) Do you believe criticism of government officials is wrong? Or that people must be humble and meek when seeking redress?
2) Section 4 of our Bill of Rights that states: "No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances." Which part of this do you not understand?
3) Do you think it is right to use cyber laws to bludgeon people who come forward to expose your shortcomings?
4) Don’t you think all the money and manpower spent on a frivolous suit could be put to more productive use?
5) Who pays your salary?
When President Rodrigo Duterte came to power on the promise of a more responsive government, this kind of response most likely wasn’t on his mind. We do not need more arrogant and hyper-sensitive officials who threaten to sue at the mere hint of criticism. That is not what we pay them to do.
