IFJ calls on RP to revise libel law

BAGUIO CITY – An international group of journalists renewed its call for reforms in the Philippines’ libel law yesterday.

"It is an affront to the Philippines’ freedom of speech that libel remains a criminal offense," said Christopher Warren, president of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).

Warren’s statement came after an editor spent the night in a police station, and along with four other media workers, was forced to post more than P10,000 over a P10 million libel suit.

Editors of Newsbreak magazine Marites Vitug, Maan Hontiveros, Lala Rimando and Gemma Bagayaua as well as staff writer Aries Rufo were supposed to be served with arrest warrants last March 7.

However, as Bagayaua was reportedly the only one of the group present in Newsbreak’s Manila office when police officers arrived, she was the only one arrested.

The libel suit was filed in 2005 by Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson, now a senatorial candidate for the administration party.

"These libel laws are effectively a means for the government to intimidate and censor the media and to silence dissent," Warren said.

Warren urged President Arroyo to decriminalize libel laws, and introduce reasonable civil remedies instead. – Artemio Dumlao