KWF urged to review ban on ‘subversive’ publications

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) over the weekend called on the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) to review its ban on supposed subversive and anti-government publications.

According to CHR Executive Director Atty. Jacqueline Ann de Guia, the KWF should look into a recent memorandum as she emphasized the value of the freedoms of speech and expression.

“We encourage the KWF to study this policy through consultations with relevant stakeholders, as well as to go into a further inquiry on the contents of the said publications,” she said.

“CHR continues to stress that upholding one right should not come at the expense of other rights. A safe and secure country is possible without possible infringements on the rights to freedom of expression and speech,” she added.

A recent memorandum of the KWF banned several publications which it claimed were political and subversive creative works with ideologies that can be considered anti-government.

Among the publications the KWF sought to ban were Tawid Diwa sa Pananagisag ni Bienvenido Lumbera: Ang bayan, Ang Manunulat at Ang Magasing Sagisag sa Imahinatibong Yugto ng Batas Militar 1975-1979 by Dexter Cayanes; Teatro Political Dos by Malou Jacob; Kalatas: mga Kuwentong Bayan at Kuwentong Buhay by Rommel Rodriguez; May Hadlang ang Umaga by Don Pagusara; and Labas: Mga Palabas ng Sentro by Reuel Aguila.

Under its mandate, the KWF — which is under the Office of the President — is tasked to undertake, coordinate, and promote research for the development, propagation, and preservation of Filipino as the national language of the Philippines and other Philippine languages.

In its memorandum, the KWF cited the controversial Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, particularly Section 9 of the measure which provides guidelines on inciting to commit terrorism.

“Caution must also be exercised in interpreting the provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act, especially if it may already be overreaching, and results in possible violation of rights rather than protecting them,” de Guia said.

“Under a democracy, there is value in allowing these publications to be publicly available so they may be discussed and even challenged openly if necessary,” she added.

Several groups such as Tanggol Wika have also denounced the KWF memorandum, along with lawmakers including Senators Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, and Ana Theresia “Risa” Hontiveros-Baraquel.

For its part, the KWF Board of Commissioners said Commissioner Dr. Arthur Casanova entered contracts for the books without their knowledge — a claim he has denied.

“Una, ang mga librong pinaratangang subersibo ay dumaan sa pamamagitan ng proseso ng pagsusuri ng KWF… Kabilang ang pagtanggap ng imprimatur/pahintulot nina Komisyoner Benjamin M. Mendillo, Jr. at Komisyoner Carmelita C. Abdurahman,” he said in a separate statement.

(Firstly, the books accused of being subversive went through the evaluation process of the KWF… Including the acceptance of the imprimatur/consent of Commissioner Benjamin M. Mendillo Jr. and Commissioner Carmelita C. Abdurahman.)

Commissioner Benjamin Mendillo has since clarified that the recent memorandum does not prohibit or order the pullout of the books, but only orders a ban on distribution of the materials in schools. — Jon Viktor Cabuenas/DVM, GMA News