Sen. Bam Aquino maintained that the liberal party is not involved in any destabilization or ouster plot against President Duterte even as he criticized efforts to silence dissenters and critics of the government.

“Hindi kami involved sa anumang ouster plot. Ang mga paratang na yan ay gawa-gawa lamang,” said Sen. Bam in a media interview.

 Instead of exerting efforts to persecute or silence dissenters, Sen. Bam said the government should allow people to hold a separate stand on issues and air their criticisms without fear of retribution.

 “Nakikita ho natin sa ating bansa na kapag may taong tumututol, sila agad-agad ay inaatake. Sa isang demokrasya, hindi dapat ginigipit ang mga may ibang panig,” Sen. Bam stressed.

 “This is no longer healthy for our democracy. Sa isang demokrasya, dapat may kakayahan tayong magsabi ng ating saloobin. Dapat pinapayagan na mayroong dissent at oposisyon. Nakikita naman natin na tumututol na rin ang maraming Pilipino sa mga polisiya ng gobyernong ito,” he added.

Sen. Bam also criticized Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre for branding “yellowtards” as one of the enemies of the state during the launching of a group that intends to protect President Duterte’s administration.

  “Hindi lang secretaries pati ang pinakamataas na opisyal ng bansa, nagbibigay ng paratang na ganyan na wala namang basehan,” added Sen. Bam.

 “This is political persecution. Lantaran na ito,” said Sen. Bam.

 Sen. Bam emphasized that the minority will continue to work on important matters crucial to the country, like the 2018 national budget and the tax reform.

 “We just continue to do our job. Ngayong dinidnig ang budget season at ang tax reform program, mapapansin niyo na tuluy-tuloy ang pagtutok ng minority rito,” Sen. Bam stressed.