Cong. Rene Lopez Relampagos of the First District of Bohol reminded Boholano netizens to be responsible in exercising their freedom of speech online, especially in campaigning for their preferred candidates.

Relampagos has been bothered by the increasing harshness of netizens, particularly in social media platform Facebook, in promoting their own candidates.  Media outlets have even reported incidents of netizens who are cyber bullied over opposing other people’s political views.

“Social media has become a very hostile platform to express your own political views,” the two-term district representative commented. “Expressing conflicting views, despite being engaged in healthy conversations, may get you mobbed online.”

Addressing the issue, Relampagos reminded netizens to be responsible in their choice of words and actions.  In a statement, the solon asked netizens “to exercise proper decorum in sharing their views as we are all mature, thinking Boholanos who put premium on respect.”

“There is no need to curse or call people names.  We need to be diplomatic in expressing our views so as not to add fire to an already heated election.  Social media should be there to connect us and not separate us, more than just our opposing views, because of disrespect.”

Relampagos also reminded netizens to make sure that what they are posting or sharing online are factual as mostly of propagandas shared in social media platforms are mere allegations or fabricated stories.

“Before we click, we can always do fact checking.  In this age of information, sometimes we may not know what is true and which is fabricated so it is advisable that we do our share by verifying the facts before we circulate a meme or story,” Relampagos reminded.

The first district representative said that it is a disservice to their chosen candidate if a netizen invents false stories and circulates memes that malign another candidate.  He also said that it also diminishes the netizen’s credibility.

Relampagos reiterated that everyone should be responsible citizens online, especially in exercising their freedom of speech.

“Hate speech, cursing, and spreading lies will not make a better Philippines and will never make us better Filipinos. So as they say, think before you click.”