LACSON TO GONZALEZ: REVIEW YOUR CONSTITUTION OVER MEDIA GAG

Review your Constitution.

This was the advice that opposition Sen. Panfilo Lacson gave to justice secretary Raul Gonzalez over the "reminder" he gave to media last Friday to toe the government line in police and military operations.

Lacson rejected Gonzalez's claim that the reminder stemmed from a supposed destabilization attempt scheduled for Jan. 22.

"Sec. Gonzalez should review his Constitution. I am not aware of any law, regulation or policy that can rise above the principle of freedom of expression," he said.

Also, he reminded Gonzalez that the Constitution is deemed the supreme law of the land.

He noted that under Article III, Section 4 of the Constitution, "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."

"The secretary should review his law. It is ironic that he was appointed and reappointed as justice secretary, yet does not know his law," Lacson said.