Despite being criticized and told to stay away from political issues, Kapuso artist Janine Gutierrez is not one to keep quiet especially when she knows that her voice could be an instrument of change.
In her latest post on Twitter, the young star encouraged the public to speak up and be involved in political issues while emphasizing that every voice matters.
“It’s your right as a Filipino to speak up, question, and be involved,” she posted through her Twitter account earlier on June 15 and added, “I will keep repeating THAT YOUR VOICE MATTERS.”
@ 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.
— JANINE (@janinegutierrez) June 15, 2020
Moreover, she reminded her fans and followers that regardless of their work or difference in terms of belief, they have the right and responsibility as Filipinos.
She said, “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.”
Addressing to those who tell others to stay away and keep to themselves their take on political issues, she went on: “to those people who say those comments & promote this culture of silence – you’re killing our democracy.”
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.
to those people who say those comments & promote this culture of silence – you're killing our democracy.
— JANINE (@janinegutierrez) June 15, 2020
They're doing well enough without your help.
— JANINE (@janinegutierrez) June 15, 2020
A Twitter user agreed with the 30-year-old star by weighing the responsibility one must take in speaking up. She said, “That’s true. However, with the responsibility of speaking out, you also have an added duty to check and recheck your information,” the person said. “What we want to cultivate is an environment that is both critical and unbiased.”
To which Gutierrez retweeted saying, “DEFINITELY!!”
D E F I N I T E L Y!! https://t.co/WKfRqNzOMM
— JANINE (@janinegutierrez) June 15, 2020
This is not the first time that Gutierrez, known for her open criticisms against the government, used her voice to influence the public to speak up and take a stand on political issues.
In fact, she’s one of the celebrities who doesn’t turn a blind eye and voices out her opinion, especially on matters that violate human rights.
The young Kapuso star, together with her siblings, actively joined various progressive groups in their ‘Grand Mañanita’ protest at the University of the Philippines Diliman on Independence Day last Friday, June 12. It was a protest calling to junk the controversial anti-terrorism bill.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CBVJYTPHePm/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
She previously aired her sentiments and disappointment with how the government prioritized the passing of the bill as it was ‘urgent’ amid the crisis the country is facing with a lot of people starving and dying because of the pandemic, “Kaya naman palang kumilos ng mabilis. Sa dami ng kasalukuyang nagugutom at namamatay, ito ang ginawa nilang prayoridad. Ito ang ‘urgent.’”
Kaya naman palang kumilos ng mabilis. Sa dami ng kasalukuyang nagugutom at namamatay, ito ang ginawa nilang prayoridad. Ito ang "urgent". https://t.co/v0alLH8DMJ
— JANINE (@janinegutierrez) June 3, 2020
Further, she noted, “It’s not too late. We condemn terrorism, but under this bill, even innocent civilians are in danger. E-mail your representatives and let them know your concerns about the Terror Bill here: http://junkterrorbill.netlify.app #junkterrorbill”
It's not too late. We condemn terrorism, but under this bill, even innocent civilians are in danger. E-mail your representatives and let them know your concerns about the Terror Bill here: https://t.co/zpSYJsurLL#junkterrorbill https://t.co/I3Xy9FRjhz
— JANINE (@janinegutierrez) June 7, 2020
Aside from the anti-terror bill, Gutierrez also openly criticized the government in its effort to ‘flatten the curve’ and contain the spread of COVID-19 disease in the country.
To recall, the ‘Dragon Lady‘ lead star took a swipe against Health Secretary Francisco Duque III for his statement that the Philippines is now on its second wave of the COVID-19 outbreak by commenting, “Did you even stop the first wave though sis.”
Did you even stop the first wave though sis https://t.co/Rx9aFC3S1b
— JANINE (@janinegutierrez) May 20, 2020
The ‘Elise‘ star was among the Kapuso artists who have shown their solidarity and expressed their opinion on the sudden closure of ABS-CBN Network, especially during this time that access to information is much needed by Filipinos to stay up-to-date about the battle of the country against the novel coronavirus.
— JANINE (@janinegutierrez) May 5, 2020
When asked about her outspokenness on issues (as can be seen on her social media accounts), Gutierrez admitted that others who have been so vocal and involved inspired her to do so.
“Discourse is important, and if your stand helps someone feel more confident or less alone in theirs, then it just demonstrates the importance of speaking out,” she continued. “It’s only responsible to stay informed and be involved, even if that means asking the uncomfortable questions to get the answers.”
Despite her sincerity to fight for what is right, she faced online attacks from bashers and trolls. Even so, many of her followers who share the same opinion expressed their support for the Kapuso star.
Even other celebrities support Gutierrez for what she fights for.
