Chilling effectA bill has been introduced in the Lower House by ACT Teachers Party List Rep. Antonio Tinio and Kabataan Party-List Rep. Renee Louise Co decriminalizing libel. With the passage of RA 10175, and its criminalization of cyberlibel, the threat to the people’s right to free expression and free press has even become more serious and real,” it said. There is very little to support the majority view that the law will not continue to have this effect on speech. It said that the right to free speech empowers citizens to hold public officers accountable because public office is a public trust. “Being sensitive has no place in this line of service, more so when allowing otherwise has the potential to create a chilling effect on the public, that is, citizens will be afraid to criticize public officers.

Source: Philippine Star January 03, 2026 16:47 UTC