Ama ng Masa will be shown

There is a lot of hullabaloo concerning the showing of a one-hour film on deposed President Joseph Ejercito Estrada entitled Ama ng Masa. It is not true that the scheduled showing of the film last Thursday was stopped by a joint order of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) and the Videogram Regulatory Board (VRB).

The MTRCB has already approved the showing of said film and we can assure the people that the public will not be deprived of the right to see this documentary on Erap Estrada. The MTRCB has not revoked its approval. It merely informed the TV station involved that Ama is not registered with and has no permit from the VRB. So it is mere compliance with this requirement that is causing the delay.

Ama ng Masa was originally scheduled to be shown during the last birthday of former President Estrada. But the film was not finished on time. Freedom of expression has ceased being an issue since the fall of President Marcos. The best proof of this is that media has published all the attacks that Erap has made against the highest court in our land. It does not mean that the press endorses his complaints against the Supreme Court. But certainly, it can be said that Erap has not been deprived of the opportunity to voice his opinions and complaints.

Again, we want to re-assure the people that President Estrada will not be denied his right to show the film Ama ng Masa. All the producers have to do is register and acquire the VRP permit. That is what is delaying its showing.

In our last column, we commented on the fact that the conflict in Mindanao is not over any religious issue. We enjoy two of the four freedoms: freedom of expression and freedom of worship. What we still have to attain are the freedom from fear and want. That is the struggle that we should all be involved today. Terrorism is spreading and the greatest obstacle to the fight against poverty is the lack of peace and order.

This coming May 1 is a holiday. It is a special day set aside to recognize and honor the great contribution that every working man makes to our country. Last year, some misguided elements desecrated the occasion by stoning Malacañang.

This year, the authorities are better prepared. Manila Mayor Lito Atienza has taken the lead by announcing that no group will be allowed to demonstrate unless it first secures a permit from City Hall. The requirement, he added, is not a restriction. It is meant to protect the demonstrators. We must draw the line between peaceful demonstrations and anarchy.

The only true freedom is the freedom to do good.