BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – Negros Press Club president Aquilino “Boy” Ciocon favors the proposal of Senator-elect Raffy Tulfo to decriminalize libel.
According to Ciocon, politicians abuse the criminal charge of libel, further undermining press freedom.
“Kalabanan nga mga kaso ara sa mga politiko, pero sa mga private waay ka man gid may makita,” Ciocon said.
In the TV program The Chiefs at ONE PH, Tulfo said politicians have been using libelto threaten members of the media.
“First, idi-decriminalize ko ang libel, ‘yan kasi masakit sa ulo,” Tulfo said.
Politicians use it to harass those who don’t like to be criticized, he added.
“’Yun bang demanda sa korte, minsan sa malayong probinsya para ma-harass lang talaga ‘yung media workers, he added.
Tulfo is best known as the host of long-running public affairs radio programs, particularly targeting issues within the government and the private sector.
Tulfo is also no stranger to libel charges due to his work in exposing allegations of graft and corruption among politicians./PN