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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Lawyers support move to decriminalize libel

Lawyers support move to decriminalize libel

Published Dec 15, 2022 10:00 am

Free Legal Assistance Group

Human rights lawyers have expressed their support to the bill filed in the Senate to decriminalize libel and urged the public to rally behind the proposed law.

“We fully support Senator Risa Hontiveros's proposed measure to decriminalize libel,” Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) Chairman Jose Manuel “Chel” I. Diokno said.

In filing Senate Bill No 1593, Senator Risa Hontiveros cited how current libel laws have been used and abused to suppress press freedom.

Hontiveros said: “Our libel laws have been weaponized to stifle very basic fundamental rights. These laws have been used to constantly attack many of our freedoms, but particularly the freedom of the press. We need to decriminalize libel if we are to truly defend press freedom.”

“Dapat nang alisin ang aspetong kriminal sa kasong libel na nakakadagdag lamang sa kaso at nililihis ang atensyon ng ating justice system mula sa totoong krimen tulad ng murder, robbery, at iba pang major offenses (The criminal aspect of libel should be removed since it adds to the cases and diverts attention in our justice system from real crimes like murder, robbery, and other major offenses),” Diokno said.

Since libel has the threat of imprisonment, Diokno said: “Maaabuso ito ng mga nasa kapangyarihan para gipitin at busalan ang taumbayan (it can be abused by those in power to silence people and place them in a difficult situation.)”

“Nailalagay nito sa panganib ang malayang pagpapahayag at paglalantad ng katiwalian at kamalian sa pamahalaan at lipunan (It threatens freedom of expression and the exposition of corruption and wrong doings in government and society),” he said.

“Kung walang karapatang sabihing ang mali ay mali -- nawawalan tayo ng kakayahang ipaglaban kung ano ang tama (If there is no right to say what is wrong, we will lose the ability to fight for what is right),” he pointed out.

TAGS: #Libel #FLAG #Senator Hontiveros #Chel Diokno

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