De Lima, Ridon back calls to decriminalize libel

MANILA — House Senior Deputy Minority Leader and ML Party-List Rep. Leila de Lima backed calls to decriminalize libel and cyber libel, saying she intends to file such a measure at the House of Representatives.

De Lima issued the statement as she expressed concern over the “weaponizing” of the law against libel and cyber libel to “attack press freedom”.

“We support this call, and we intend to file a measure to decriminalize libel and cyber libel, which are being used by powerful and influential people to stifle dissent, attack press freedom, and weaken democracy,” she said.

“Abuse of free speech should be met with accountability, but weaponizing our laws to curtail this right is excessive and unacceptable,” De Lima added.

“Huwag na ring magkunwari o magpalusot ‘yung ibang mga nagsasampa ng ganitong kaso para manindak at patahimikin ang mga mamamahayag. Alam naman natin kung sino yung mga naninira lang at nagkakalat ng fake news and disinformation, at yung mga lehitimong media, journalists at seryosong nagtataguyod ng katotohanan at pananagutan,” she noted.  

Bicol Saro Party-List Rep. Terry Ridon pushed for a review of the laws against libel and cyber libel, as he also expressed support for decriminalizing the said offenses.

“Very important na tulungan natin at protektahan natin ‘yung ating mga mamamahayag. Kasama rito ‘yung pag-depensa sa kalayaan sa pamamahayag. Hindi natin pwedeng pabayaan na ‘yung mga makapangyarihan sa ating bayan ay nagpupunta doon sa pagsasampa ng libel at cyber libel laban sa ating journalists… para takutin sila para manahimik na lang,” he said.

“Susuportahan natin ang lahat ng kailangang measures sa lehislatura para pag-aralan muli ang libel, cyber libel, at ultimately, madecriminalize na po ang libel laws sa ating bansa,” Ridon added.

At least three bills seeking to decriminalize libel are pending before the House Committee on Revision of Laws.

Last Saturday, 72-year-old journalist Philip Lustre Jr. was arrested in connection with a cyber libel case against him in Davao City. 

He was released from police custody that evening, after posting a P48,000 bail.

It happened a day after Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte filed libel and cyber libel complaints against executives and journalists of GMA Network.