Press freedom and freedom of expression advocates have long highlighted how libel laws have long been used to harass and silence public interest reporting.
This is clearly shown in the libel cases filed against colleagues India and Jay Lavapiez of Baskog Radio in Roxas City, Capiz by Sigma town Mayor Dante Eslabon, his councilor son, and a political ally.
The Lavapiezes told the NUJP national office that harassment against them began in 2025 after they aired reports on a cemetery owned by a local official allegedly operating without a permit, alleged irregularities in traffic enforcement along a national highway, and other allegations of abuse and corruption.
“These reports were done in good faith, in service of the public,” the Lavapiezes said.
Since then, multiple cyberlibel cases have been filed against them and their staff — in Manila, in Muntinlupa, and in Capiz.
Filing libel cases in faraway courts is a common tactic used to compel respondents to travel, adding to the burden of preparing a legal defense.
A Manila court issued an arrest warrant for Baskog Radio anchor India Lavapiez on March 11, which was served by 10 police officers at the Baskog Radio station the same day.
India was even reportedly brought outside Sigma Municipal Hall after her arrest to humiliate her in front of media, vloggers and municipal employees.
The Lavapiezes said they are worried that any succeeding warrants might be served with as much overkill as the first.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines condemns the continued use of libel laws as a tool for retaliation and intimidation.
We stand with Baskog Radio in what is a clear case of harassment for their reporting and call on colleagues in Capiz and in Metro Manila to monitor developments in the charges against the Lavapiezes to ensure they are afforded due process.
We also reiterate our call to decriminalize libel, which advocates, including UN Special Rapporteur Irene Khan, have called outdated, cruel, and contrary to the Philippines’ obligations to uphold press freedom and free speech.
#DefendPressFreedom
Reference:
National Directorate
secretariat@nujp.org
