Decriminalization of libel sought

 “P-Noy Now Mum On Grace Lee” — Headline. Is this one example of what they call “Noynoying”?

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 Admin lawyers say any omission in the SALN is an admission of guilt. That’s better than calling it an admission of old age.

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 The new PUJ minimum fare of P8 is now in effect. “Aron wa’y samok ayaw’g tunol sa drayber o konduktor og tibuok P10,” advises Noy Temiong. Yes, unless you’re willing to let the driver keep the change.

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 Lead defense counsel ex-Justice Serafin Cuevas was absent at the impeachment trial last Monday. “I missed him,” said a 70-year old city matron who called Sir Cuevas “the life” of the trial. The matron’s “barkada” who never fails to watch the impeachment proceedings on TV chorused: “Bitaw, kami sad.”

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 The former Supreme Court Justice Cuevas has never failed to make his presence seen and felt at the impeachment court. One young lawyer said he never failed to watch the CJ trial on TV because of Sir Cuevas. “He talked sense,” he said. “Never mind the hairdo.”

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 There has been for some decades now a clamor for the decriminalization of libel but Congress hasn’t been listening. Media advocacy groups have been asking Congress to amend the provisions of the Revised Penal Code in relation to libel, which is now over 80 years old.

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 Writing in the “PJR Reports,” published by the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, Melanie Y. Pinlac said: “Criminal libel is one of the most abused means to suppress free expression and press freedom in the Philippines. The fear of possible imprisonment and the imposition of fines has on many occasions silenced press criticism of government officials and even the reporting of matters of public interest.”

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The United Nations has realized this and has declared the Philippine libel law as “excessive.” Observers hope that this UN declaration can eventually lead to the long hoped for decriminalization of libel in Phl.