Ridon wants libel laws reviewed after Lustre’s sudden arrest

MANILA, Philippines — Congress must review the country’s laws on libel after the sudden arrest of veteran journalist Philip Lustre Jr. so that there will be a balance between protecting reputations and press freedom.

This view came from Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon on Wednesday.

Ridon said that while he agrees with the need to protect people’s reputations, it should not come at the expense of press freedom.

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He noted that journalists should not be barred from asking tough questions.

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Lustre was nabbed on Saturday morning over a cyberlibel case against him before a Davao City court.

He was eventually released on Saturday night after posting bail of P48,000, after his friends in the media pooled funds for his release.

“Protect reputations, yes. Silence the press, no,” Ridon said. “Journalists should not be afraid to ask tough questions.”

“People have the right to seek justice. But the public also has the right to know,” he noted.

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READ: Veteran journalist Lustre arrested in QC for cyber libel 

Ridon’s call for a review of libel laws came after human rights lawyer Dino de Leon – also Luster’s counsel – reiterated the need to decriminalize libel and cyberlibel.

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De Leon, in a press briefing earlier, said that the arrest order was issued even if Lustre had not received the complaint or a subpoena.

Any of these documents would give him a chance to answer the allegations before the case reached court.

The lawyer urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate how the complaint was handled and determine whether it followed proper procedures.

READ: Philip Lustre feels unsafe in Davao; seeks transfer of cyberlibel case

Lustre, a vocal critic of the Duterte family, was apprehended based on a cyberlibel complaint from Vice President Sara Duterte’s husband, lawyer Manases Carpio.

The case stemmed from a Facebook post published on March 6, 2026, through an account named “Philip Jr Lustre,” according to a court document provided by lawyer Dino De Leon.

READ: Sara Duterte’s husband Mans Carpio behind cyberlibel case vs Lustre 

But Lustre’s lawyers questioned the impartiality of the prosecution office handling the case.

They said that he got information that Davao City Prosecutor Jhopee Salvador Avanceña is the first cousin of Honeylet Avanceña.

Avanceña is the longtime partner of Duterte’s father, former President Rodrigo Duterte. 

Such concerns, Ridon said, only strengthen the need to examine libel and cyber libel laws in the country.

The lawmaker wants to avoid a chilling effect where journalists will self-censor themselves if they report on controversial issues.

He, however, clarified that reviewing libel laws does not mean giving journalists a free pass to publish false or damaging claims.

Rather, it is only meant to ensure that legitimate reporting is protected, Ridon stressed.

“False statements must be dealt with. But asking legitimate questions should not be a crime,” he said. 

“That burden can scare people into silence,” Ridon lamented. “Congress should take that seriously.”

Last Monday, he called out the members of the Duterte family for the cyberlibel cases against members of the media, saying that current lawmakers will not allow it to happen again.

READ: Dutertes harassed media before, we won’t allow it this time – Ridon

The lawmaker was referring to the case against Lustre and broadcast network GMA-7.

GMA-7 was sued by Vice President Duterte’s brother, Davao City Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte over allegations of bribery that he said were “untrue” and meant to destroy his reputation.

Aside from GMA-7 officials, Duterte filed complaints against National Bureau of Investigation Director Melvin Matibag and dismissed police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr.

Duterte personally appeared at the Davao City Prosecutor’s Office.

Named as respondents from GMA-7 were executives Felipe Gozon and Gilberto Duavit Jr., television personalities Mel Tiangco and Vicky Morales.

Also included were Emil Sumangil, Darlene Cay, Marvin Parado and Joel San Luis, as well as John and Jane Does.

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Ridon said there is a precedent for how the Dutertes treat the media: Broadcast giant ABS-CBN was shut down, and Rappler reporters were harassed during the former president’s term. /apl