LACSON SCORES GONZALEZ FOR THREAT ON CAVITE GRADUATE

The Supreme Court may have struck it down as unconstitutional, but Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez continues to practice calibrated preemptive response (CPR) on a graduating student of Cavite State University last weekend.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson, a native of Cavite, scored Gonzalez for threatening to have the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) probe and prosecute Maria Theresa Pangilinan just because she dared speak up to President Arroyo.

"I must warn Sec. Gonzalez that what he is doing is an equivalent of CPR. Just like Malacanang arguing that CPR is 'just' an operative term for Batas Pambansa 880, the fact remains that CPR tries to send a chilling effect on anyone expressing sentiments against the government," Lacson said.

Lacson also said his office is offering legal assistance to Pangilinan and her fellow graduates whose transcripts of records were withheld by school officials because of their action.

He pointed out that in Pangilinan's case, what Malacanang officials had branded as a breach in security was merely her exercising her freedom of expression. Yet, he said some overzealous officials like Gonzalez have gone to the extent of threatening to ruin her future.

Gonzalez had ordered Pangilinan investigated for holding up a banner reading "No to Cha-cha" and shouting, "Patalsikin si Gloria" during graduation rites at the Cavite State University last April 21.