Morales, Jim Charles M.

ICT-101

I would like to cite this situation that I have recently read on Manila Bulletin:

https://mb.com.ph/2020/10/07/senators-in-light-banter-about-muting-members-during-zoom-
sessions/?fbclid=IwAR0x7m4BIR0o3-3gPWV92Z80PNYka8A2FXqtscNjKZAgoXyq-0URcOZP5P0

During the voice vote on the budget measure’s second reading approval, the other senators
could not voice out their objections because they were muted on zoom and can not unmute themselves.
Buhay Partylist Rep. Lito Atienza accused the house leadership of violating legislative proceedings when
they approved to terminate their debates on the P4.506-trillion 2021 General Appropriations Bill and
approve it on second reading without their amendments.

It was very clear that the one who muted the legislators on zoom violated ethics in
communication. The legislators are supposed to voice out their objections but to immediately approve
and terminate debates, the one who is in control of the zoom meeting decided to mute everyone. This
one is a clear violation of ethics in communication because as said before, no one was allowed to object
or give their opinions about the approval of the bill. This does not need any deeper explanation because
it is a clear violation and if they would like the legislators to speak, they must have been given time to
the legislators to object but they did not so it means that it is another propaganda and the one
responsible must acknowledge the law that he/she violated.

This is not the first time that situations like these happened. It is prevalent nowadays especially
with the current administration because we see that those who give their opinions or beliefs against the
president or his administration will most likely receive a death threat. In order to save themselves and
make themselves far from life-threatening situations they have decided to keep quiet and not talk
anymore because of guilt even if what you’re saying is true.