Inserting 'responsible' abridges free speech: CMFR

MANILA - The Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility slammed the proposal to amend a provision under the Bill of Rights in the 1987 Constitution to mandate "responsible" use of free speech.

Speaking to ANC Wednesday, CMFR chair Vergel Santos said just inserting the word "responsible" in that provision is an abridgment to free speech.

"That word constitutes an abridgment of that freedom. By simply inserting that word, it constitutes an abridgment of a supposedly unabridgeable freedom," he said.

Santos added that the proposed amendment would only cause a great deal of confusion because there would always be varying definitions of the word "responsible."

House Deputy Speaker Fredenil Castro on Tuesday presented the proposed amendment on the Bill of Rights saying, "there is so much abuse of this freedom."

He wants the amendment to mandate not only "responsible exercise" of free speech but also of the freedom of expression, and even the right of the people peaceably to assemble.

• House wants to amend free speech clause in Constitution