30/08/2025
“KAPAG MULAT KA NA SA KATOTOHANAN, KASALANAN NA ANG MAGBULAG-BULAGAN… HINDI ITO LIBELOUS.”
Hailed as the National Press Freedom Day in the Philippines in honor of the father of Philippine Journalism, Marcelo H. Del Pilar, the 30th of August will always be the day when silence despite knowledge will kill.
The 1987 Constitution, the supreme law of the land, guarantees one of the fundamental rights of Filipinos— the freedom of the press. Article III, Section 4 therein states, “No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press.”
The Art of Journalism, when done for the purpose of exercising our right to freedom of speech, expression, or of the press, is protected by the law.
But those who cry the loudest after exercising our rights find refuge in filing libel. It is now the trend. You say something, in one click, one can sue you.
A quick search will reveal that libel will prosper when the elements of defamatory imputation— publication, malice (presumed or actual), and identifiability of the defamed person— are all present.
BUT NOTHING IS QUICKER WHEN SEARCHING AND SPEAKING FOR THE TRUTH.
Despite the recorded rampant killings of journalists by the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) and the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) from July 1, 2022 to April 20, 2024, we shall never be silenced.
From television, radio, and newspaper, we now have another platform to exercise our rights upon the emergence of social media. Give birth to the words that the world ought to know.
There will always be harm in speaking our truth, as there will also be a legal consequence when we do so recklessly.
But it is more dangerous and deafening to remain silent despite the obvious suppression, inequality, corruption and disinformation.
The Red Chronicles, as the official student publication of San Beda College Alabang - School of Law and a member of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP), will always convey its writers’ mind, heart, and soul for the purpose of disseminating factual information.
At the end of all the talk, the speech and the write-ups, TRC would want to reiterate one thing…
HINDI LIBELOUS ANG KATOTOHANAN.
Words by Ronelie Smile Siervo | The Red Chronicles
Layout by Lou Margaret Nebit | The Red Chronicles
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