The Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA) echoed the Commission on Human Rights’ recommendation to amend provisions in the Revised Penal Code and the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 to remove imprisonment as a penalty in libel and cyberlibel cases.

PAHRA stressed that cyberlibel has repeatedly been used to harass and intimidate journalists, activists, and ordinary citizens who express dissent online, contributing to a chilling effect on free expression.

“When dissent is expressed, a cyberlibel case is often used as a convenient weapon,” said PAHRA Secretary-General Edgar “Egay” Cabalitan. “This law has been abused to silence criticism instead of protecting rights.”

Cabalitan added that while the proposed amendments are a positive development, deeper reforms are still needed. “This is one step forward. No one should be jailed for speech, and the law must stop being used to suppress accountability.”

PAHRA urged lawmakers to ensure that reforms on libel and cyberlibel genuinely protect freedom of expression and prevent the continued weaponization of these laws against dissenting voices.

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