Bicol Saro Party-list Representative Terry Ridon has lent his support to growing demands for a comprehensive review of the country’s libel statutes, cautioning that criminal charges should never serve as a mechanism to deter reporters from scrutinizing influential figures.
Speaking on Wednesday, October 28, the lawyer-legislator emphasized that legislative reform is essential to maintain fairness.
“Reviewing the law is not about protecting anyone from accountability. It is about making sure the law is fair—and that the public is not left in the dark,” Ridon stated.
He further stressed the necessity for Congress to find a middle ground between defending personal reputations and preserving the public’s right to information, adding, “Protect reputations, yes. Silence the press, no.”
The lawmaker’s remarks emerged amid renewed campaigns to eliminate criminal penalties for libel and cyberlibel, triggered by the recent apprehension of veteran reporter Philip Lustre Jr.
During a Quezon City press briefing on Wednesday, human rights attorney Dino de Leon—serving as Lustre’s legal counsel—made a formal appeal for the decriminalization of the offense. Lustre, 72, was taken into custody on October 24 pursuant to a warrant from a Davao City court, stemming from a cyberlibel charge initiated by Atty. Manases “Mans” Carpio, the spouse of Vice President Sara Duterte. Lustre has since secured temporary freedom after posting a ₱48,000 bail.
De Leon pointed out that his client never received the initial complaint or a subpoena that would have allowed him to respond to the accusations prior to judicial filing. Consequently, he called upon the Department of Justice (DOJ) to audit how the case was managed and to verify procedural compliance.
Furthermore, De Leon raised concerns regarding the potential conflict of interest within the handling prosecution office. He highlighted reports indicating that Davao City Prosecutor Jhopee Salvador Avanceña is a first cousin of Honeylet Avanceña, the long-term partner of former president Rodrigo Duterte, and urged the DOJ to ascertain if she ought to step down from the proceedings.
For Ridon, the situation highlights how the looming threat of criminal litigation creates an intimidating environment for reporters investigating sensitive topics.
“Journalists should not be afraid to ask tough questions,” he noted.
While advocating for legislative evaluation, the party-list representative clarified that reform does not equate to granting media workers immunity for unverified or harmful accusations.
“False statements must be dealt with. But asking legitimate questions should not be a crime,” he maintained.
Ridon additionally highlighted the heavy emotional and financial toll that defending against criminal indictments inflicts upon individuals, citing legal expenses, travel costs, and court appearances that accumulate long before any judicial verdict is rendered.
“That burden can scare people into silence. Congress should take that seriously,” he warned.
Previously, Ridon voiced apprehension regarding multiple legal actions targeting media personnel, which include ongoing complaints against staff and executives of GMA Network initiated by Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte.
During an October 26 press briefing, he also noted that the House prosecution team for the Senate impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte stands ready to assist media workers grappling with legal hurdles, while also drawing attention to perceived discrepancies in the execution of arrest warrants between Lustre’s case and a separate grave threats complaint involving the Vice President.