Ex-journo and OVP official tells SC libel must not be decriminalized
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Ex-journo and OVP official tells SC libel must not be decriminalized
MANILA — Former journalist and Office of the Vice President public affairs team head Jefry Tupas told the Supreme Court that libel should not be decriminalized, in response to a petition filed by human rights advocate Walden Bello.
MANILA — Former journalist and Office of the Vice President public affairs team head Jefry Tupas told the Supreme Court that libel should not be decriminalized, in response to a petition filed by human rights advocate Walden Bello.
In a comment made by Tupas dated April 11, 2024 through her lawyer Atty. Caesar Europa, she stressed that she has always fought for the protection of free speech, having been a long-time reporter for the Philippine Daily Inquirer and subsequently the public information officer of Davao City.
In a comment made by Tupas dated April 11, 2024 through her lawyer Atty. Caesar Europa, she stressed that she has always fought for the protection of free speech, having been a long-time reporter for the Philippine Daily Inquirer and subsequently the public information officer of Davao City.
Tupas however stated that the consequences of the abuse of free speech have been exponentially magnified especially on social media.
Tupas however stated that the consequences of the abuse of free speech have been exponentially magnified especially on social media.
Tupas submitted the comment in response to the petition of Bello for the high court to declare unconstitutional Articles 353 to 355 of the Revised Penal Code as well as Section 4(c)(4) of Republic Act No. 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act, pertaining to libel and cyberlibel, for being violative of Section 4 Article III of the Bill of Rights under the Philippine Constitution.
Tupas submitted the comment in response to the petition of Bello for the high court to declare unconstitutional Articles 353 to 355 of the Revised Penal Code as well as Section 4(c)(4) of Republic Act No. 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act, pertaining to libel and cyberlibel, for being violative of Section 4 Article III of the Bill of Rights under the Philippine Constitution.
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Aside from Tupas, the Davao City Regional Trial Court Branch 10 is also a respondent in the petition of Bello.
Aside from Tupas, the Davao City Regional Trial Court Branch 10 is also a respondent in the petition of Bello.
The court is handling the libel case filed by Tupas against Bello, which is also anchored on the supposed drug raid.
The court is handling the libel case filed by Tupas against Bello, which is also anchored on the supposed drug raid.
“It is most respectfully submitted that the case at bar sadly exemplifies the reason why libel in its many forms, particularly cyberlibel, still should not be decriminalized in our country,” Tupas said in the comment.
“It is most respectfully submitted that the case at bar sadly exemplifies the reason why libel in its many forms, particularly cyberlibel, still should not be decriminalized in our country,” Tupas said in the comment.
The issue before the Supreme Court stemmed from the campaign period for the 2022 national elections with both then Davao City mayor Sara Duterte and Bello vying for the vice presidency.
The issue before the Supreme Court stemmed from the campaign period for the 2022 national elections with both then Davao City mayor Sara Duterte and Bello vying for the vice presidency.
In his petition before the Supreme Court, Bello stated that the mention of Tupas in his Facebook campaign material was based on media reports of her being nabbed for drugs in a resort.
In his petition before the Supreme Court, Bello stated that the mention of Tupas in his Facebook campaign material was based on media reports of her being nabbed for drugs in a resort.
Bello also highlighted that the post was more about his then opponent Sara Duterte and the portion pertaining to Tupas was in the form of a question.
Bello also highlighted that the post was more about his then opponent Sara Duterte and the portion pertaining to Tupas was in the form of a question.
“Even VP Sara Duterte herself acknowledged that respondent Tupas was indeed implicated in a drug raid and said that, as a result, respondent tendered her resignation as Davao City PIO,” Bello said in his petition.
“Even VP Sara Duterte herself acknowledged that respondent Tupas was indeed implicated in a drug raid and said that, as a result, respondent tendered her resignation as Davao City PIO,” Bello said in his petition.
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