Vic Rodriguez to push for decriminalization of libel if elected senator

Senatorial candidate Atty. Vic Rodriguez has vowed to decriminalize libel in the country should he win the senatorial race in the upcoming 2025 midterm elections.

Rodriguez, a former executive secretary of the Marcos administration, said that laws on libel and cyber libel are being "weaponized" against critics of government officials, whether elected or appointed.

He cited Article 3, Section 4 of the Constitution, which states that “no law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances.”

“Ang dami kong nakakausap na ordinaryong tao na paminsan-minsan ay nagpo-post sa kanilang iba’t ibang pahina at sinasabing sila daw ay naiilang sapagkat parang tila naka-amba ang gobyerno na kapag hindi nagustuhan ang kanilang opinyon, saloobin, komentaryo, o kung anumang posting ay nanganganib silang makasuhan ng libel or cyber libel,” Rodriguez said in a Facebook live on Monday.

(I’ve talked with many people who seldom post on their social media pages saying they are uncomfortable because it seems like the government might sue them for libel or cyber libel if they have opposing opinions or comments.)

“Kaya aking pinag-isipan over the weekend, na bilang senador ninyo, aking tutulungang maisabatas ‘yung pagpapa-decriminalize sa libel. Na ‘wag na itong gawing isang criminal offense kundi isang civil offense na lang. Na kapag ikaw nahatulang guilty ng libel, magbabayad ka na lang ng multa,” he added.

(That’s why over the weekend, I thought that I would help pass a law to decriminalize libel, to no longer make it a criminal offense, but only a civil offense. Those who are found guilty of libel would just have to pay a fine.)

According to Rodriguez, democracy and individual rights might be put in peril if people’s opinions are being curtailed.

He also emphasized that government officials, who are being paid with taxpayers’ money, should be open to criticisms of the public and not be “censorial” towards those who voice out negative opinions.

“Dapat lamang na malayang mapag-usapan ng sambayanang Pilipino ang iyong official acts, conduct, demeanor, and character. Hindi pwedeng bulong-bulungan na lang kung paano ninyo binubudol ang sambayanang Pilipino. Hindi pupwede iyon sapagkat kayo ay kumukuha ng sahod mula sa buwis at remittance na nanggagaling sa ating overseas Filipino workers at Filipino migrants,” he explained.

(The Filipino people should be able to freely discuss your official acts, conduct, demeanor, and character. You can't just hide away your questionable acts from the Filipino people. That should not be the case because you are getting paid from taxes and remittances that come from our overseas Filipino workers and Filipino migrants.) —AOL, GMA Integrated News

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