When clowns and butchers rule a nation, Filipinos get a free farcical show that temporarily ease their hunger. Only, the climax sees them being led to a slaughterhouse and butcher them for being too expressive of their rights.

Nowadays, it�s a crime to assert your right. Justice Sec. Raul Gonzales sees it a crime to mobilize rallies against the government, and walking with pals across a street wearing protest shirt is no different. Forget about promenading in Manila�s public place Baywalk. Much more, forget about the Bill of Rights of the Philippine Constitution.

Former Social Welfare Secretary Corazon "Dinky" Soliman and Vicente Romano of the Black and White Movement were detained on Friday night after they tried to march down Roxas Boulevard wearing black T-shirts embossed with the message "Patalsikin na, now na!� (Out now).

Gonzalez said his former Cabinet colleague violated the Illegal Assembly Law, Batas Pambansa 880 (which regulates the time and place where rallies are to be held), and the Local Government Code which empowers local officials to approve or disapprove applications for rallies. Wow, how about me and my paintball team wearing jerseys labeled �shoot the captain!�?. Will we be charged with illegal protest assembly as we cross Roxas Boulevard?

One might say, no, because Sec. Dinky Soliman et al, are an identified administration oppositionists and the �thumbs down� signs referred to Pres. Gloria Arroyo�s government. But is that an excuse to limit their basic freedom than mine? Hundreds of years back, Filipinos perhaps have crawled that same spot getting into enemies� lair to regain that freedom for self-rule.

Yes, we are ruled by clowns. But we are also ruled by freedom butchers. The warrantless arrests of suspected enemies of President Arroyo labeled subversives, the raid of the Tribune broadsheet for its attacks against her, the closure of a radio program �Ngayon Na, Bayan�, for its criticisms of her administration, the suppression of lawful rallies Sec. Gonzales classified as illegal assemblies, and the continued commission of abuses blanketed by Proclamation No. 1017 despite its withdrawal are clear manifestations that we are in a state similar to the Martial Rule days.

The suppression might not be widespread, but the cancer node has been there. Somehow, sooner, it will infect our every vital organs and one day deliver the terminal message: �You are hereby arrested for walking past Ayala Avenue for wearing the shirt with imprints, �Smile if you�re horny.��