SC assures commitment to freedom of speech in meeting with UNSR Khan

#UNSR Special Rapporteur #IreneKhan meets with Justice Undersecretary Raul Vasquez at the DOJ office in Manila on Wednesday (Jan. 24, 2024). (PNA photo by Ben Pulta)

MANILA – The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, assured United Nations Special Rapporteur Irene Khan that the Judiciary remains committed to the universal principles of freedom of speech and expression.

‘The Philippine Judiciary is highly cognizant of the universal principles of freedom of speech and expression as enshrined in the Philippine Constitution and international laws, and the courts always seek to actively endeavor in striking a balance between such freedoms and the right of the state to protect itself,” Gesmundo told Khan during her courtesy visit to the Court on Wednesday.

Joining Gesmundo in welcoming Khan were Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen and Associate Justices Amy C.

Lazaro-Javier, Henri Jean Paul B.

Inting, Japar B. Dimaampao, Jose Midas P. Marquez, and Maria Filomena D. Singh.

The Justices discussed several matters which included the Supreme Court’s Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations — the Court’s blueprint of action for judicial reform.

Leonen cited examples of recent Supreme Court decisions that tackled freedom of speech and expression.

These included St. Anthony v. Comelec where the Court En Banc ruled that the poll body cannot remove or destroy privately-owned campaign materials displayed on private property.

The Court also cited ABS-CBN v. Ampatuan, where the Court protected the right of the media to report on cases pending in courts.

Khan was also given a copy of the Supreme Court’s rules on the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 and Related Laws, which Gesmundo said was promulgated by the Court “to ensure that our judges will handle properly and effectively, protecting the rights of people vis-à-vis prosecution against anti- terrorism.”

Other issues discussed were Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation suits, strengthening the Shari’ah justice system, the steady increase in the number of female judges, the Rule on Facilitated Naturalization of Refugees and Stateless Persons, and the proposed creation of the Office of the Judiciary Marshals, among others.

Khan thanked the Supreme Court Justices for their time in what she described as “an inspirational meeting.”

She was accompanied by Thibaut Guillet, Human Rights Officer at the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights, and Presidential Task Force on Media Security Executive Director Undersecretary Paul Gutierrez.