MANILA, Feb. 19 (PNA) — President Benigno S. Aquino III on Wednesday said the decision of the Supreme Court last Tuesday to penalize online libel had no intention to restrain freedom of expression.
During an ambush interview after the inauguration of the Estero de San Miguel Micro Medium-Rise building in Sampaloc, Manila, the President stressed there are also limits to people’s rights.
He also said that he saw no reason for the public to be upset.
“Will it restrain freedom of expression? I don’t think that was the purpose (of the provision),” President Aquino told media in Filipino.
“You, as responsible journalists — you have rights, but there are also limits to the rights of everyone, right?” he added.
He further said that it was even taught in school that “your rights end where they impinge on the rights of others.”
Although President Aquino said he has yet to entirely review the Supreme Court decision, he thought it fair to have libel for media — whether print or online.
“If you switch to another format that would be exempted? I don’t think that’s acceptable,” he added.
“If there is something wrong said on TV, radio, newspapers and magazines but if you switch to another format, should it be exempted? I repeat, if you are saying the right thing, why would you have to be worried about the libel issue?” the President said. (source: Philippine News Agency)
