LIBEL IS A PARADOX.

These words were uttered by Maria Ressa, a Nobel Peace Prize aureate and Rappler CEO as libel law was effectively weaponized against her.

While the Filipino people enjoy the privilege of speaking out their minds both verbally and through online means, not all opinions are excusable by their right to free speech. Ever since the implementation of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, accounts on libel have been continuously used by those in power to silence their critics. Journalists, activists, and human rights defenders, in particular, have been shackled by the law to limit their scrutiny and remarks against the government.

As of May 2022, fifty-six journalists have been sued for libel. With our journalists subjected to relentless judicial harassment, it is no wonder that the Philippines ranked as 147th out of 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index. This placement signifies