Act of BRAVERY or Rant of BITTERNESS? Or Curtailment of Freedom of Speech?

“I am Krisel Mallari, a Filipino citizen who would rather choose to fail with honor, than win by cheating. Adios!”---This powerful line could have been the ending of Krisel Mallari’s 'salutatory address' had not the school administrators and teachers halted her. The salutatorian of Santo Niño Parochial School’s 13th Commencement Exercises went viral after the interrupted speech video was shared over Youtube.

Krisel Mallari acknowledged that it was not the same speech she previously submitted for checking and approval. According to her, if she submitted her real speech, it will not get the approval after all. Krisel powerful speech includes a somehow satire attack against an alleged injustice she suffered under the school (Read Full Speech here).

She aspired to be the class valedictorian but landed next place. She claimed that she asked for the grade computation but never received the information.

In her words, “Di na nga nila pinakinggan ang iyong hinaing, nakuha ka pa nilang laitin.”, displayed a young girl’s deep wound over the school’s suspected dysfunctional system.

Meanwhile, the school (SNPS) released a statement that they have to stop Mallari because it was not a “welcome address” and the content of her speech is completely inappropriate. The school added that if the speaker violates what was tasked on which she agreed, she will not be allowed to deliver the speech (Read Full Texthere).

From Facebook, the school further claimed that they have given Ernesto Mallari, the father, the computation but Ernesto wanted to ask for the grade of the Valedictorian which is against the school policy. The school was firm on the adherence of transparency and fairness of grade computation and indicated that the grades are computerized thus manual manipulations are unlikely to happen.

When I watched the video, I was like “Go little girl! Show them what you’ve got”.  Then, when the teachers and administrators went full force to stop her, I felt my fist clenched in anger. I even made comment on Youtube airing my spurt of emotions and sentiment on curtailing her freedom of speech (Yes, in all CAPS):

“WHEN JUSTICE, FAIRNESS AND TRANSPARENCY ARE ELUSIVE AND SOMEHOW DENIED, PEOPLE WILL FIND A VENUE AND OPPORTUNITY TO FIGHT WHAT THEY BELIEVE IS RIGHT. THE GIRL HAS ONE SHOT TO BE HEARD AND SHE TOOK "HER" SALUTATORY ADDRESS TO SEEK JUSTICE. 

IN THE END, I FIND HER COURAGEOUS, BRAVE AND UNYIELDING TO ANY ACTS OF MANIPULATION IMPOSED TO HER IN SPEAKING OUT THE HEART AND SUBSTANCE OF HER SPEECH AND WHAT SHE TRULY DESIRES.”

While writing another random article in support of Krisel Mallari, I read the official statement of STO. NIÑO PAROCHIAL SCHOOL (SNPS) with some good points:

• It was a welcome address (I supposed that is not the same with salutatory address) and the content of her speech was not appropriate.
• They school claimed to have showed the computations but not the Valedictorian’s grade because it is against the school policy and without the permission of the other party. 
• Mr. Enersto Mallari allegedly harassed some faculty members (“Halos araw-araw nitong nakalipas na Linggo ay hina-harass ni G. Ernesto Mallari ang mga guro”)
• The grading system is computerized (ng Grading System ng paaralan ay computerize at hindi maaaring galawin o baguhin.)

With two opposing statements, I find myself in a catastrophic dilemma whether the whole circus is indeed a clamour of justice, fairness and transparency or merely an extreme rant of bitterness (that I do not know). All I have was a video showing Krisel being interrupted followed by her speech published on social networking sites and the official statement of the school thereafter.

At this point, it would be premature for me to simply judge and conclude the Mallari is indeed the victim of a dysfunctional grading system or an alleged grade manipulation to give her a standing ovation for the bravery and courage to fight back against what she thinks is a form of oppression and injustice; neither will I salute the school for trying to maintain order and retain the standards of the ceremony.

Either one of them is telling the truth or both of them partly hold the truth (that I no longer care). The social uproar over the internet springs from the curtailment of the Krisel’s so-called “FREEDOM OF SPEECH” and basically not the underlying (probably the most important) issue.

Again, I admired her for the unyielding attitude on stage. She reminds me of the power of speech and the bravery of Filipinos in fighting for what we believe to be just and right; but she also left me with questions I find it hard to decipher:

If she was not the real ‘victim’, will we still grant her such freedom? Or even support her?

If hypothetically she was wrong, does the school has the absolute right to stop her speak out? Or is she still entitled to speak for her sentiments regardless of the truth?

Is Freedom of Speech absolute?

Photo: Excerpt from the Youtube video