Honasan pushes for bill to decriminalize libel

DAVAO CITY, Aug. 8 (PIA) – Senator Gregorio Honasan is pushing for a legislation to decriminalize libel yet putting emphasis on responsible journalism.

Honasan filed on July 26 Senate Bill No. 3244 which he says is a counter effort to the proposal of Agham Partylist Representative Angelo Palmones.

“Halos pareho kay Congressman Palmones (It's nearly the same with Congressman Palmones). But we emphasized that for us to be able to enjoy our freedoms, there’s a corresponding responsibility,” the Senator told the media here during the Kapihan sa PIA at the Abreeza Mall last week of July.

“It’s a very straightforward bill, na huwag icriminalize ang libel because it’s part of the principle of checks and balances,” he said adding, “But the other side of this is sense of responsibility.”

Honasan explained that decriminalization of libel will spare those charged with libel suit from being imprisoned, but he said penalty will be calibrated according to constitutional provisions.

Section 1 of the Senator’s proposed Bill states that “Articles 353 to 357 and Articles 360 to 362 of Chapter I, Title XIII, Book II of Act No. 3815 or the Revised Penal Code are hereby repealed thereby decriminalizing libel.”

Art 353 of the Revised Penal Code defines libel as a public and malicious imputation of a crime, or of a vice or defect, real or imaginary, or any act, omission, condition, status, or circumstance tending to cause dishonor, discredit, or contempt of a natural or juridical person, or to blacken the memory of one who is dead.

In Section 2 of the proposed Bill, Honasan stressed the “need for practitioners of mass communication to impose upon themselves utmost discipline in the practice of their profession.”

“If this will be institutionalized, those who will practice responsible journalism can be part of a professional group that can impose ethical and professional standards, para we can have accountability and responsibility,” he stated.

Section 3 of the same Bill says “Practitioners of mass communication must be members of registered professional organizations. No mass media practitioner can practice his/her profession unless he/she is a member of the registered professional organization.”

Through this legislation effort, Honasan is hoping an increase sense of responsibility of professional media members.

The Senator is also pushing for the approval of the People’s Ownership of Government Information (POGI) or formerly known as Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill, as among his priority Bills.

“I don’t know if mapagsabay-sabay ang FOI (and Decriminalization of Libel),” said Honasan who also mentioned to give consideration to the Right to Reply Bill which would provide equal airtime or space in print or broadcast those subject to criticism.

“It must be up to respective chambers to prioritize,” he stated. (PIA-11/Carina L. Cayon)