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Libel should stay as a crime, says Senate bet Jiggy Manicad

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ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/tvpatrol/02/15/20190217-harapan-gap1-2554.jpg"/><figcaption>Senatorial candidate Jiggy Manicad speaks during the &quot;Harapan 2019: The ABS-CBN Senatorial Town Hall Debate&quot; on Feb. 17, 2019. <em>ABS-CBN News</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA -- Journalist Jiggy Manicad, who is running for senator, said Sunday libel should remain as a crime in the Philippines to guard against media abuse.</p><p>Manicad, 44, also said Rappler CEO Maria Ressa should defend herself in court. Ressa posted bail last week on cyber libel case filed in 2017.</p><p>&quot;Dapat pa rin pong krimen siya para wala pong pang-aabuso sa hanay nating mamamahayag,&quot; he said during &quot;Harapan 2019: The ABS-CBN Senatorial Town Hall Debate.&quot;</p><p>(It should remain a crime so that there will be no abuse on the part of media practitioners.)</p><p>Manicad, who was with GMA Network before he resigned to file his certificate of candidacy, was asked if libel should be decriminalized.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><div id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_1_Container"> <ivs-player id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_1" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-vid="1391300" data-ivs-floating="1"></ivs-player> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/iframe-parent.js"></script> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script> </div></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><p>Press freedom advocates have repeatedly called for the decriminalization of libel, saying it has been used to harass journalists with the possibility of imprisonment.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/17/19/libel-a-harassment-tool-that-must-be-decriminalized-says-professor">Libel a harassment tool that must be decriminalized, says professor</a></li></ul><p>Asked about Ressa, Manicad said: &quot;Nasa korte na po &#x27;yan. Dapat po niyang patunayan &#x27;yung kaniyang kaso,&quot; he said.</p><p>(It&#x27;s with the court. She should defend herself before the court.)</p><p>Manicad earlier courted controversy when he said that the government had basis when it filed criminal charges against Rappler.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/07/19/uplb-comarts-denounce-alumnus-jiggy-manicad-over-press-freedom-stand">UPLB ComArts denounce alumnus Jiggy Manicad over press freedom stand</a></li></ul><p>Ressa was arrested Wednesday over a 2012 Rappler article which its subject, businessman Wilfredo Keng, claimed was &quot;clearly defamatory.&quot; She was released the next day after posting P100,000 bail.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/13/19/authorities-serve-arrest-warrant-vs-maria-ressa">Rappler&#x27;s Maria Ressa arrested for cyber libel</a></li></ul><p>Asked whether he plans to return as a reporter if he loses, Manicad said he would consider it.</p><p>&quot;Kung ako po ay tatanggapin ng aking mga a-aply-an, subalit mas nais po nating manalo,&quot; he said.</p><p>(If I am hired where I will apply, but I would rather win in the upcoming elections.)</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/17/19/jiggy-manicad-rapplers-maria-ressa-should-argue-case-in-court">Jiggy Manicad: Rappler&#x27;s Maria Ressa should argue case in court</a></li></ul>

<p>Libel should stay as a crime in the Philippines to keep media practitioners on their toes, former broadcast journalist Jiggy Manicad said Sunday.</p>

Libel should stay as a crime in the Philippines to keep media practitioners on their toes, former broadcast journalist Jiggy Manicad said Sunday.