CHR alarmed by Ressa conviction, asks gov't to revisit laws penalizing libel

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Wednesday expressed alarm over the conviction of Rappler CEO Maria Ressa and former Rappler researcher Reynaldo Santos Jr. of cyber libel over a story published just months before the Anti-Cybercrime Law took effect, saying libel laws should not stifle the right to free press and free expression.

“It is with serious concern that the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) looks at the continued penalization of libel in the Philippines, evidenced by the guilty verdict in the cyber libel case against Ressa and Santos, Jr. The trial court’s decision sends a chilling effect to the work of journalists and all those who dare to speak the truth,” said CHR spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia.

The case at the Manila Regional Trial Court stemmed from a Rappler story published in May 2012 linking businessman Wilfredo Keng to human trafficking and drug smuggling. The Anti-Cybercrime Law took effect four months after the story was published.

“It is high-time for the government to revisit these laws and its applications in favor of how the people can best enjoy their rights—not limit them—particularly on freedom of opinion and expression,” De Guia said.

The CHR also cited the Philippines’ ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in October 1986 which allowed the state to assume the obligation to respect and ensure the people’s right to hold opinions and to free expression.

“As such, we recognize journalists as crucial vehicles of timely and truthful information so that citizens can develop sound opinions about public and political issues. At present, however, legal provisions on defamation and criminal libel may be seen as a direct threat to truth-telling, especially if laws are weaponized to silence valid criticisms,” De Guia said.

“Time and again, journalists have been at the receiving end of such abuse of laws. We then remind the government that statements concerning public interests should always be assured of greater protection,” she added.

De Guia then said that it is not enough for the government to say that it supports press freedom.

“Laws and policies must also make their enjoyment possible. It is only under the regime of truth that we can hold perpetrators to account and ensure the best participation of the people under a democratic society,” De Guia said.

“We cannot stay silent in the face of injustices,” she added.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. earlier said that President Rodrigo Duterte supports press freedom, adding that the Chief Executive has never sued a journalist during his entire political career which spans more than three decades.

However, Duterte is known for being sharp-tongued with the media, calling some journalists as "sons of bitches."

President Duterte has also repeatedly tagged Rappler as a purveyor of fake news and has said in December 2019 that he will make sure that broadcasting giant ABS-CBN will be out by this year.

ABS-CBN went off air last May 5 in compliance with the cease and desist order from the government entity National Telecommunications Commission due to lack of franchise.

Bills seeking ABS-CBN's franchise renewal have been filed in the House of Representatives in 2014, and refiled again in 2016 and 2019. The bills either did not get past the committee level or remains pending.

The House Committee on Legislative Franchises only conducted its first and only hearing on the pending bills seeking ABS-CBN franchise renewal on March 10 this year, and such hearing is still ongoing. -MDM, GNA News