THE Philippine Bar Association (PBA) has offered legal assistance to media outfits and journalists recently sued by Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi for libel and cyberlibel for reporting about the filing of graft charges against him before the Office of the Ombudsman over the sale of Malampaya shares to Davao businessman Dennis Uy.
In a news statement, the PBA also expressed concern that Cusi’s move would send “chilling effect” to other journalists considering the P200 million in damages being sought by him from the news organizations.
Cusi filed the complaints against 18 officials and reporters of Manila Bulletin, ABS-CBN News, BusinessWorld, Rappler, Philippine Star, GMA News, and the BusinessMirror last December 3 before the Taguig City Prosecutor’s Office.
“We all are well aware that criminal prosecutions are stressful and financially-draining challenges. They are time-consuming and for those without ready access to competent legal counsel, can become debilitating experiences,” PBA President Rico V. Domingo. “The sheer scope and breadth of the targeted journalists, not to mention the amount being asked from each [P200,000,000] leave little doubt that this slew of suits will introduce a ‘chilling effect,’” he pointed out.
The PBA said its lawyers believe in the importance of press freedom, thus, it cannot just stand idle and allow the law on libel be used to curtail such rights.
“A free press kept the light of freedom lit even during the darkest days of martial law. They have fought for the public’s right to know on countless occasions. The Rule of Law, upon which every lawyer pays fealty to, is kept strong by the light that a free press illuminates. When the Fourth Estate is under siege, those of us who believe in these freedoms must offer what we can to aid them,” the group stressed.
He said the PBA, the country’s oldest organization of volunteer lawyers established in 1891, is composed of “some of the most distinguished lawyers and law firms in the country.”
Domingo advised journalists needing legal representation to contact the PBA through telephone 88152485 or through e-mail pbalegalassistance@gmail.com.
“We ask our journalists to keep writing facts. But their ability to do so remains only insofar that they themselves are Free—free from fear, fear from harassment. If we want them to remain ‘free,’ then we must do our part to keep them that way,” the PBA said.
Domingo also urged others in the legal profession to come out and assist the beleaguered journalists.