Senate President Win Gatchalian expressed deep concern over a China based media outlet’s racist depiction of Filipinos, stressing that free expression carries no license for racism or dehumanization.

“Freedom of expression, even in political disputes, is not a license to dehumanize people. Racism has no space in any society that values truth and civility,” Gatchalian said, referring to the July 10 video depicting Filipinos as monkeys in connection with the 2016 Arbitral Award.

The Senate President called for a return to intelligent, respectful dialogue between all parties, urging media and institutions to exercise greater circumspection and refrain from producing or circulating such materials in the future.

“Disagreements between nations should sharpen our reasoning, not our prejudices. We call on all sides to be more circumspect, and to choose dialogue over derision,” he said.

The Senate President also stressed that in a free society, mass media and communications platforms carry a social responsibility to uphold truth and civility in public discourse.

“Kinukundena natin ang pang-aabuso at pangungutya sa dignidad ng mga Pilipino. Malaki ang responsibilidad ng media sa paghubog ng pananaw ng mga bansa sa isa’t isa, at hindi ito dapat gamitin sa maling paraan,” he added.

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