Gadon OK with senatorial debate just not in 'UP where crowd is communist'

MANILA, Philippines — Lawyer Larry Gadon is up for Otso Diretso’s debate challenge, provided that only four opposition senatorial candidates would be on the same debate with him and it would not be at the “[University of the Philippines] where the crowd is communist.”

Reporters asked Gadon to comment on the Otso Diretso slate’s open debate challenge against other candidates.

He said: “May hamon ba? Ako yun naghahamon. Basta wag sa UP na ang crowd ay mga komunista (Is there a challenge? I am the one challenging them. It’s okay just not in UP where the crowd is communist).”

He also said he would prefer having a debate with four other candidates of the Otso Diretso slate, namely former Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, Sen. Bam Aquino, and lawyers Chel Diokno and Florin Hilbay.

“Anytime ako. Dun sa mga venue na hindi estudyante mga komunista ang crowd,” he added.

Asked to clarify if he meant that all UP students are communists, Gadon backpedaled and said that he was merely referring to the crowd.

“Because if they are organizers, they can let someone from the [League of Filipino Students] from other schools, those out of schools from Anakbayan etc.”

Members of youth and student rights groups League of Filipino Students and Anakbayan are not communists.

READ: Why is red-tagging of activists dangerous?

The 1987 Constitution also champions every citizen’s freedom of speech and of expression, and to peacefully assemble and petition the government to redress of grievances.

The Anti-Subversion Law, which sought to punish those who affiliate themselves with the Communist Party of the Philippines or any subversive association, has long been repealed.

Gadon also said that “99 percent of UP are intelligent and bright. The 1 percent communists are dumb idiots or rather brainwashed and indoctrinated leftists.”

READ: Oops! Gadon's Senate dream hits a snag after filing wrong form

The lawyer, who is facing at least four disbarment complaints, has not given proof to back up his claims.

Gadon is facing at least four disbarment cases for violating his oath as a lawyer when he hurled expletives at some supporters of former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno who were holding a protest at the Supreme Court in Baguio City in April 2018.

Rights groups have time and again slammed “red-tagging” or the practice of publicly classifying individuals and organizations critical of the government as communist terrorists, state enemies and subversives, as it endangers lives.