A STUDENT whose graduation photo trended online after posing with a sign that says “ISKOLAR NG FILIPINO TAXPAYERS HINDI NG F****** GOVERNMENT” has spoken up and defended his stand against the supporters of the Duterte administration.

This came after government leaning personalities and individuals attacked the student due to his “entitled” behavior and even launched an online signature campaign to make the student pay back his free education.

Jejomar Contawe, a communication graduate in Tarlac State University, stood firm and answered back supporters of the Duterte administration on a now-viral Facebook post, saying he is only sorry for speaking up.

“If there is one thing I will not apologize for, it is my constitutional right to speak up against what I think is gravely unfair in the country. Because whatever we think of activists and the purposefully ever-complaining ‘wokes’, criticizing our government, be it protesting in the streets or on social media, is a legitimate exercise of democratic freedom,” Contawe said.

He added that people should wake up and exercise their right to criticize the government as it is a right granted by the constitution.

Progressive youth organizations also joined the fray and aired their support for Contawe, urging the public to be more critical of the administration.