Filipino bloggers should help ‘decriminalize’ libel

N.B. – This was published in Asian Correspondent (January 25, 1:30 p.m.) where I write a weekly column (Philippine Fantasy).

A Philippine government official’s decision to charge a blogger with libel only shows how the libel law is being used not to protect freedom of expression but to suppress it.

Upon the request of Secretary Esperanza Cabral, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) last week filed a libel case against the person behind “Blog ni Ella (Blog of Ella)” located at www.ellaganda.com (Language warning: The blog mainly uses Taglish, or a mix of English and Filipino phrases and sentences).

The libel case is in connection with the blog’s October 21, 2009 entry titled “Aanhin pa ang damo kung patay na ang kabayo? (A special report from a volunteer) [The title is an old Filipino saying, the loose translation of which is: How can the grass be useful if the horse is already dead?]” where the blogger, Ella, claimed that the relief goods meant to be distributed to typhoon victims are “rotting” inside the warehouse of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

This is not the first time that the rich and powerful have used libel to harass and intimidate bloggers. For example, the Yuchengco Group of Companies which runs a pre-need firm charged the Parents Enabling Parents (PEP) Coalition with libel for publishing what the former perceived to be malicious remarks in the latter’s blog. The case, however, was dismissed by the Court of Appeals in October 2009.

On the part of the government, libel has been used to get back at journalists who published or aired reports critical of the administration. The most glaring example is First Gentleman Mike Arroyo’s libel suit against more than 40 journalists which he later withdrew. Since libel is a criminal offense in the Philippines, those convicted of the crime could end up like broadcaster Alexander Adonis who was jailed for almost two years. In 2001, Adonis reported on the alleged extra-marital affairs of a local politician in Davao (located south of the Philippines).

Joel Simon, executive director of the US-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), stressed in 2007 that the “authorities in the Philippines are using criminal libel as a battering ram against press freedom…Government officials should not rush to a prosecutor every time a journalist writes critically about those in power.” The situation has also led a Filipino editor to say: “The message we’re getting is this: no matter how responsible journalists are, you can no longer seek protection in the law.”

It is ironic to think that libel which is supposed to protect the reputation of an individual from irresponsable reportage is now a tool of media repression. Article 353 of the Revised Penal Code clearly states: “A libel is public and malicious imputation of a crime, or of a vice or defect, real or imaginary, or any act, omission, condition, status, or circumstance tending to cause the dishonor, discredit, or contempt of a natural or juridical person, or to blacken the memory of one who is dead.” Anecdotal evidence as regards libel cases against journalists and bloggers, however, show otherwise.

In the past, journalists had taken the initiative to lobby Congress for the decriminalization of libel (i.e., reducing libel to a civil case, not a criminal one). Given the case filed against Ella, it is high time for bloggers to unite with journalists in the campaign to decriminalize libel as this also affects them. The same chilling effect, after all, could be felt by both journalists and bloggers as they write and produce media content. The powers-that-be should not be allowed to use laws like libel to suppress freedom of expression.

Much as I have issues with the way Ella had written her blog post as it manifests irresponsible writing (which became the subject of a two-part series written in Filipino on responsible blogging), the government cannot and should not assume malice whenever it faces criticism from journalists and bloggers. If the Philippine government is indeed transparent and accountable to its people, it should remain open to criticisms, mindful of the fact that it has enough resources to issue replies to answer any allegations.

If a journalist or a blogger is, in the eyes of aggrieved parties, irresponsible in the way he or she analyzes social issues, the best option is to expose to the public the factual inaccuracies or logical fallacies so that a wider audience would be made aware of them.

Any perceived irresponsibility from journalists and bloggers cannot be used as an excuse to legislate the workings of the media, of which the blogosphere is now a part. If there is something that government should do, it is to provide an atmosphere conducive to the practice of journalism and blogging. Instead of using laws against journalists and bloggers, the government should help protect the rights of both the pro-government and the anti-government forces to freely express their views.

Various forms of media repression, however, are tell-tale signs of a current administration that is hostile to freedom of expression. In this context, the decriminalization of libel is urgently needed, if only to ensure that journalists and bloggers will not be threatened with imprisonment as they go about their tasks.

2 thoughts on “Filipino bloggers should help ‘decriminalize’ libel”

  1. In the interest of fairness, we may want to consider these details in weighing the matter at hand:

    http://jlp-law.com/blog/libel-e-internet-libel/
    In Philippine jurisdiction, the truth is not always a defense. While something is true, if the purpose is to besmirch, then liability still exists. To be liable for libel, the following elements must be shown to exist:

    (1) the allegation of a discreditable act or condition concerning another;

    Here are some photo captions in Ella’s blog:

    – Marami pang pabubulukin

    – Sige, ideretso ‘nyo ulit ‘yan sa DSWD warehouse. Para AMAG naman ang abutin ng biskwit… at sapot ng gagamba.

    – Do you mean “do not delay ang dati nang delayed”

    – Sabay tatahiin na ang sako. O di ba, parang asong tinapunan ng buto ang mga nasalanta?

    – Relief goods na ayaw yata ibigay sa mga nasalanta. Halatang-halata.

    Her Conclusion:

    Susulpot din siguro ang laman ng mga mahiwagang kahon at mapapasakamay din ng mga tao…sa ARAW NG ELEKSYON.

    (2) publication of the charge;
    http://www.ellaganda.com/?p=1759

    (3) identity of the person defamed; and
    http://www.ellaganda.com/?p=1759

    (4) existence of malice.

    Legal malice is a term that refers to one party’s intention to do injury to another. Malice can either be expressed or implied.

    – Expressed malice occurs when the party gives outward notice that they intend to commit a crime or some other wrong towards another.

    Nagpalabas ng directive ang pangulo. Individuals, private companies and other nations were ENCOURAGED to send their donations to DSWD. I blogged about it here (blog entry not found ).

    This PGMA directive sounded suspicious to me then. Now I know why.

    Here’s the story.

    A group of eight people, your ate Ella included, went to one of DSWD warehouses to help in repacking relief goods. We know they need volunteers pero hindi namin akalaing WALANG TAO TALAGA SA LOOB NG WAREHOUSE!

    ***Ella suspected PGMA’s directive. She went to volunteer and took photos expressly violating the instruction not to do so. She displayed these on her blog with the captions earlier mentioned.


    – Implied malice occurs when one party causes death or injury to another during the course of unlawful or disreputable actions.

    Pinagbawalan kaming kumuha ng pictures sa loob ng warehouse. I wonder why.

    *** She took photos, posted the photos in her blog with abovementioned captions.

    Malice generally involves the intentional infliction of physical, mental, psychological, or financial damage to another party.

    Now how do you determine intention?

    1. Do you base it on the blogger’s outward notice of her suspicion?

    This PGMA directive sounded suspicious to me then.

    … and the actions she took after she formed her suspicion?

    a. Her alleged visit to DSWD.

    A group of eight people, your ate Ella included, went to one of DSWD warehouses…

    …. which is refuted here:

    It has already been established that someone else went to volunteer and took the pictures that she uploaded in the blog—her brother. Why did she conceal this?

    http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/letterstotheeditor/view/20100208-251877/Blogger-Ella-a-poseur-not-a-citizen-journalist

    b. Taking of Photos.

    LET THE PICTURES DO THE TALKING. Note: Pinagbawalan kaming kumuha ng pictures sa loob ng warehouse.
    ***The photos have been posted here: http://www.ellaganda.com/?p=1759

    c. Uploading of Photos

    … you can copy the photos of relief goods rotting in DSWD warehouses… You can also email the photos.

    d. Request to spread blog content online.

    I’m asking your help to spread the word. Tulungan po ninyo akong ikalat ito . Beyond this, we should also demand action. I disabled a plugin so you can copy the photos of relief goods rotting in DSWD warehouses. You can link this post to your blogs, facebook, websites etc. You can also email the photos.

    e. Announcement that the blog entry will be used by a US-based Philippine newspaper

    Philippine News (US based Philippine newspaper) will use this as its front page story this week.

    2. Do you base it on the accused and the accuser’s history and connections, if any?

    There are claims that:

    FORMER SOCIAL WELFARE and now Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral is reportedly using her office to harass a blogger who exposed
    the allegedly rotting relief goods at the warehouse of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

    Ramon Tulfo
    http://services.inquirer.net/mobile/10/02/01/html_output/xmlhtml/20100130-250222-xml.html

    And that:

    Cabral, an alter-ego of President Arroyo, should not use her powers to intimidate Ella Ganda
    http://tonyocruz.com/?p=2773

    If there’s an allusion to motive because of political connection then you may be interested to check this link: http://www.bulatlat.com/news/6-32/6-32-libel.htm for this info:

    42 Journalists Face Libel Raps from Arroyo’s Husband
    Bandera (six counts, Tulfo’s column “On Target” inilabas noong Jan. 26, May 23 at 27, June 6,8 at 17)

    27. Eileen Mangubat (publisher)
    28. Beting Laygo Dolor (editor-in-chief)
    29. Jimmy Alcantara (associate editor)
    30. Raymond Rivera (circulation manager)

    The Beting Laygo Dolor :

    Of Philippine News Online:
    http://philippinenews.com/article.php?id=5380

    who started PCIJ (Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism ) alongside Sheila Coronel, Malou Mangahas, Lorna Kalaw-Tirol, Howie Severino and David Celdran.
    http://preciousanne.blogspot.com/

    Editor- of:

    1. Bandera
    2. Prime Asia and Pinoy Global Access
    http://www.upjournalismclub.org/gallery/photos/suit-of-cards-a-forum-on-libel/
    3. Playboy Philippines
    http://www.bworldonline.com/Weekender072508/main.php?id=focus1
    4. Business World
    http://www.grabeh.com/forum/index.php

    Contributing Editor of:

    FilGlobe:
    http://www.filglobe.com/files/augpage22forum.pdf

    Same Beting Laygo Dolor of:

    Philippine News

    who released this:
    http://philippinenews.com/article.php?id=5380

    Donated goods sitting in DSWD warehouse
    Published, October 23, 2009

    … after Ella released this:
    http://www.ellaganda.com/?p=1759

    Aanhin pa ang damo kung patay na ang kabayo? (A special report from a volunteer)
    Published, Oct 21st, 2009

    Same Beting Laygo Dolor who co-wrote the articles appearing here:
    http://pinoybsn.blogspot.com/2006/10/arroyo-to-nurses-retake-board-test.html
    http://bolanon.com/forums_topic_view.aspx?page=1&tid=3363&fid=2929&=desc

    …with the girl whose name appears here:

    http://services.inquirer.net/mobile/10/01/22/html_output/xmlhtml/20100121-248693-xml.html

    …and whose identity is confirmed here:

    http://forums.seo.ph/showthread.php?t=10191

    Re: DSWD vs Jade? – 01-22-2010, 11:36 AM
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by kickmoko
    teka maihabol ko lang..member din ba dito si jade?
    Yes. Si vlette

    3. Do you base it on the snowballing imputations the blog entry has spawned?

    a. Such as the blog entries of her fellow bloggers like: http://gurlalien.blogspot.com/2010/01/para-kay-ella.html

    Wow… di maka get over? bakit kaya? well… ang sabi niya, hindi daw dapat palampasin ang mga ganitong ‘paninira’ sa gobyerno. huh? pero bakit? Alam mo madam, kung di ka talaga guilty, dapat madali kang makaka move-on. eh bakit parang hanggang ngayon eh hurt na hurt ka pa din sa mga nabasa mong blog post? dahil ba the truth hurts? at kahit pa na hindi na ikaw ang mei hawak ng DSWD eh nag file ka pa din ng kaso?

    yung mga againsta kay ella, obvious na obvious na related sa DSWD. kung makapag post eh damang dama nila every word.

    Whose alias appears here:
    http://forums.seo.ph/showthread.php?s=81b8794c5836bf5d9aae7608177a1b3f&t=5216

    b. Or the published articles of media men like:
    Ramon Tulfo
    Whose article: It pays to be honest
    http://services.inquirer.net/mobile/10/02/01/html_output/xmlhtml/20100130-250222-xml.html
    states:

    FORMER SOCIAL WELFARE and now Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral is reportedly using her office to harass a blogger…

    The same group also allegedly went to the Parañnaque residence of the Dolor family, as Cabral was reportedly convinced that Ella was a member of that family.

    Same Tulfo who happens to appear here:

    42 Journalists kinasuhan ng Libelo

    Bandera (six counts, Tulfo’s column”On Target” inilabas noong Jan. 26, May 23 at 27, June 6,8 at 17)
    27. Eileen Mangubat (publisher)
    28. Beting Laygo Dolor (editor-in-chief)
    29. Jimmy Alcantara (associate editor)
    30. Raymond Rivera (circulation manager)

    http://zumel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14&Itemid=2

    As confirmed from this column:
    http://tulfo.net/column1.htm

    How do we determine malice? How do we determine intention?

    When do we call on online freedom of expression?

    Do we make way for the truth thru responsible blogging or do we redefine freedom of the press as freedom that recognizes no borders, overlapping the rights and freedom of others notwithstanding?

    http://www.zumel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14&Itemid=2
    http://tungkab.wordpress.com/2007/06/17/peryodista-kontra-libelo/

    Who defines truth? The one accused? …Or the accuser?

    Who defines freedom? The one who exercised it? …Or the one denied of it?

    Who actually exercised it? Who’s denied of it?

    Where does freedom start? Where does freedom end?

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