Senator Chiz Escudero is pushing anew for the passage of proposal he put forward to decriminalize libel, including online libel which constitutionality was upheld early this week by the Supreme Court.
Escudero has first put the proposal in 2007 to decriminalize libel and the provisions that define and penalize libel under Article 355 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC).
Now that the High Tribunal has ruled on the constitutionality of Republic Act No. 10175 or the Cyrbercrime Prevention Act of 2012, Escudero saw the need to pass his proposed legislation seeking to repeal laws that consider libel a criminal offense in order to guarantee freedom of expression.
“The Philippines, as a country deemed democratic and developing, cannot rest on its antiquated laws that run detrimental and contrary to the exercise of freedom,” Escudero said. “Decriminalizing libel accords greater protection to freedom of speech and expression.”
He added: “If we take away the threat of fear of incarceration and restraint of liberty, we encourage a strong print media to continuously provide a mechanism that promotes transparency over the excesses of government and other entities.”
According to Escudero, the existence of libel in Philippine laws is hurting the country’s global press freedom ranking, which has dropped in recent years from 147 out of 179 countries in 2013 and 140 in 2012 based on the World Press Freedom Index.
Last year, the senator introduced Senate Bill No. 126 to amend the cybercrime law by removing its online libel provision. In Senate Bill No. 127, which Escudero reintroduced, he is seeking anew the repeal of Article 355 of the RPC to decriminalize libel committed by writing, printing, airing on radio or any similar means.
Escudero said the two proposed bills, while seeking to scrap criminal penal provisions, did not completely remove the remedies provided under existing laws against media abuse and irresponsible reports.
“I respect the decision of the High Court but there still lies a pressing need to pass the amendments removing the criminal provisions of libel as a crime.“ These bills are only consistent with my long-time position to decriminalize libel from our statutes and just retain civil liabilities just so we also ensure that the exercise of our freedom of expression comes with equal responsibilities,” Escudero said.
More Benefits For Solo Parents
Senator Chiz Escudero pushes strongly to provide further benefits and support on top of what is already provided in Republic Act 8972 (Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2000) should be given to solo parents to lessen the burden of raising children alone and to ensure that their children are given the opportunity for a better future, Senator Chiz Escudero said.
Escudero, chairman of the senate committee on finance pushed, for the passage of this proposal through Senate Bill No. (SBN) 121 which seeks to provide additional support and benefits to solo parents such as discounts from purchases of baby’s milk, food and food supplements, clothing and medical supplies.
“There are already benefits provided for by RA 8972 but we take into account the challenges of economic realities single parents face. But this proposal does not discount either the effects it may entail to businesses, employment and other economic activities.”
Escudero said the proposal is worthy of evaluation and deliberation as all stakeholders “may be able to strike a balance between profitability and social responsibility.”
Under the bill, the following proposals shall be granted to any solo parent employee who has rendered service of at least one year:
- parental leave of not more than seven working days WITH PAY (in addition to leave privileges under existing laws)
- ten percent discount from all purchase of clothing and clothing materials for the child from conception until 2 years old
- fifteen percent discount from all purchases of medicines and other medical supplements/supplies for the child from conception until 5 years old, and
- basic personal exemption from individual income tax in the amount of fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) in addition to the existing exemption a solo parent may claim.
The bill also proposes that any solo parent as defined by law shall be entitled to the issuance of a solo parent ID by the municipal or city social welfare officer.
Any employer who fails to provide the benefits mentioned in this amended act shall be penalized with a fine of P50,000.00 or a one year imprisonment or both.
Any subsequent violation carries a P200,000.00 fine or a two year imprisonment or both.
Any person who abuses the privileges of this proposed act, on the other hand, shall be punished with imprisonment or a fine of P50,000.00 or both. /MP
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