The right to free speech and expression is not absolute. No one may hide behind the cloak of freedom of expression to justify defamatory statements, relentless online abuse, harassment, personal attacks, and malicious imputations. Our existing laws are clear and unequivocal on this matter.
It is in this context that the Office of the City Prosecutor of Pasay City found sufficient basis to charge Mr. Robert “Robby” Tarroza Stewart with Cyber Libel and ordered the filing of the appropriate case before the Regional Trial Court of Pasay City. This stems from a series of defamatory remarks he posted on his Facebook account, which subjected me to public hatred, ridicule, and disgrace for reasons known only to him.
As a public official, I am no stranger to criticism and can accept public bashing arising from my official acts and pronouncements. However, the attacks coming from Mr. Tarroza crossed all boundaries of decency and legality. They were riddled with falsehoods and malicious intent, designed not only to demean and humiliate me, but also to malign my entire family.
These acts are no longer about politics or free expression; they are a clear abuse of both. I cannot, and will not, simply sit back and allow anyone to misuse social media and a distorted notion of free speech to tarnish a name that I have long worked to uphold. Mr. Tarroza must be held accountable, and his actions will be met with the full force of the law.
Hindi kailanman magiging katanggap-tanggap ang pagsasamantala at paglapastangan sa batas sa ngalan ng maling pagkaunawa sa kalayaan sa pagpapahayag. May kaakibat na pananagutan at kaparusahan ang ganitong uri ng mga gawain, at ito ang dapat manaig sa isang lipunang pinahahalagahan ang pananagutan at katarungan.