SC asks HOR to answer vloggers petition vs probe on social media posts
The Supreme Court (SC) has asked the House of Representatives (HOR) to answer the petition filed by several vloggers who wanted to stop the probe on their alleged false and malicious postings on social media.
In resolution, the SC, as a full court, asked House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Reps. Robert Ace S. Barbers, Dan S. Fernandez, Tobias M. Tiangco, and Jose S. Aquino II to submit their comment within a non-extendible period of 15 days from receipt of notice.
The plea of the vloggers for a temporary restraining order (TRO) may still be taken up after receipt of the comment.
The petitioners are Ernesto S. Abines Jr., lawyer Glenn Chong, Mark Anthony Lopez, Mary Jean Q. Reyes, Dr. Richard T. Mata, May Catherine Diaz Binag, Ethel Pineda Garcia, Krizette Laureta Chu, Jonathan A. Morales, Lorraine Marie Badoy Partosa, Rose Beatrix L. Cruz Angeles, Aeron S. Pena, Nelson U. Guzmanos, Elizabeth Joie Cruz, Suzanne Batalla, Kester John Tan, and George Ahmed G. Paglinawan.
They told the SC that the HOR’s probe violates their rights to free speech, freedom of express and of the press.
They pointed out that the HOR’s inquiry in aid of legislation “creates a chilling effect” in the exercises of their constitutionally guaranteed freedoms.
“This chilling effect constitutes prior restraint on free expression. As such, the acts of the respondents should be struck down as unconstitutional,” they said.