MANILA - A proposal to amend the Bill of Rights to mandate the "responsible" use of free speech is among the proposed amendments to the 1987 Constitution being discussed at the Lower House.

This comes amid criticisms that the current administration is against free press and stifles dissent.

The proposal was presented by House Deputy Speaker Fredenil Castro, who led the subcommittee of the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments tasked to study proposals to amend the provisions on the Judiciary, Constitutional Commissions, Amendments or revision, Suffrage, Citizenship, Bill of Rights and a new article on the Bill of Duties.

In his presentation to the mother House Committee on Constitutional Amendments, Castro said they are proposing to amend the right to free speech to promote responsibility.

“This time, if you go around, there is so much abuse of this freedom. They think it is unrestrained, therefore, we propose the insertion of that phrase," he said.

Castro, in his presentation, recommended the provisions of Article III The Bill of Rights be retained but an amendment was proposed in Section 4 which reads as: “No law shall be passed abridging the RESPONSIBLE EXERCISE OF THE freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances."

Opposition Lawmakers, however, fired back.

Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat said, “Who defines (responsible)?”

Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano said, “How can you define responsible? Ano yan eh, very subjective. Ano ba yang responsible sa kanila? The kind of press freedom they're enjoying right now (is) fake news at propaganda. Baka mababaliktad, kasi ang human rights, nabago ang definition. Pag sinabi mo responsible, pabor sa kanila.”

Also among the proposals is the deletion of foreign ownership restrictions in certain industries, including mass media. The current Constitution limits foreign investments to just 40% in the following:

- exploitation development and utilization of natural resources; -
- ownership of alienable lands;
- franchises on public utilities;
- practice of profession;
- ownership of educational institutions;
- mass media; and
- advertising.

In a separate development, another subcommittee, this time tasked to propose amendments to the preamble, proposes the deletion of the word “love” in the preamble.

The proposal was not presented in the committee deliberation today but copies of their proposal was released to House media.

The current preamble reads, “We, the sovereign Filipino people, imploring the aid of Almighty God, in order to build a just and humane society, and establish a Government that shall embody our ideals and aspirations, promote the common good, conserve and develop our patrimony, and secure to ourselves and our posterity, the blessings of independence and democracy under the rule of law and a regime of truth, justice, freedom, love, equality, and peace, do ordain and promulgate this Constitution.”

The proposal says the word “love” has no place in a Constitution.

Copies of the proposed amendments were circulated to media as the committee on Constitutional Amendments discussed what will be submitted to the planned constituent assembly for approval and submission to a plebiscite. This is among the proposals of the subcommittee which was assigned to tackle the preamble national territory, federal and state principles, general and transitory provisions.