TRANSCRIPT OF INTERVIEW OF SENATOR TG GUINGONA
WITH RON CRUZ

PROGRAM: NEWS NOW WITH RON CRUZ

STG: In this day of transparency and accountability, and people participation in gov't, libel laws serve as a Sword of Damocles over those who want to speak freely. That being said, it does not mean that if somebody speaks falsely against you, invents things against you, you have no recourse if the libel law is decriminalized. No, not at all. You will still have recourse to civil damages, a sort of penalty, penalty by fine. But definitely people should not be made to go to jail anymore for what they say in the course of free speech.

(What are your chances now?)

STG: Times are changing, there is more clamor. One big indication was the indignation that was experienced by us all when the cybercrime law passed. The perception there is that it was going to stifle free speech in the internet. And we haven't received the Supreme Court decision yet officially, but from what I heard they have upheld libel. The only way to take it out totally is to decriminalize libel.

(Would you be able to tell why attempts in the past to decriminalize libel have failed?)

STG: I guess if there's anything that happens, any change in this country that happens, it doesn't happen overnight. It happens by decades. Can you imagine (Ron) up to now we still have a law called the Revised Penal Code. That was passed so so long ago. We still have it and I think it's time really that we make our laws up to tune with the needs of the time and the demands of democracy, through democracy.

(How is it going to affect RA 10175 if passed?)

STG: That would totally change the cybercrime act with regards to libel so if somebody is 'libeled' through the use of internet then he can file civil case for damages but definitely he cannot file a criminal case to bring the person to jail."