The Commission on Human Rights has called on Congress to fast-track legislation that would remove imprisonment as a penalty for libel and cyber libel, saying such reforms are needed to protect citizens, journalists and civic participation.
The CHR said jail time for libel has undermined freedom of expression and has become a tool for legal harassment against members of the media, activists and ordinary Filipinos.
The agency urged lawmakers to approve measures that would replace imprisonment with civil remedies, instead of criminal penalties, in defamation-related cases.
According to the CHR, there are currently three proposals filed in the House of Representatives and three proposals in the Senate seeking to amend existing laws on libel and cyber libel.
The commission said these reforms are aimed at ensuring that defamation laws do not restrict free speech or discourage public participation in civic issues.
The CHR also said the proposed changes include providing human rights-based training for law enforcement officers and members of the judiciary to strengthen their understanding of free expression and related protections.
In addition, the commission called for stronger safeguards for the media and human rights defenders, who it said are often vulnerable to legal pressure through libel complaints.
The CHR said consultations involving multiple stakeholders should also be conducted to review and reassess the country’s defamation laws.
The commission maintained that decriminalizing libel and cyber libel would help uphold democratic values while still allowing civil accountability for harmful statements.
The CHR’s appeal adds to ongoing discussions about balancing reputation protection with freedom of expression, particularly in an era where online platforms have expanded the reach of public commentary.
Congress has yet to act on the proposals, but the CHR reiterated its call for urgent passage of the measures.
