BY CHRIST JOY R. ENOLPE & ILLRY JOHN TRANGIA
SPEECH IS a natural way to express thought and identity. To be human means to think, reflect, and communicate. Expression enables people to establish and convey their identities, beliefs, values, and emotions. Silencing speech effectively silences part of one’s humanity.
As a cornerstone of any democratic country, the fundamental right of every Filipino to the freedom of speech and expression is enshrined under Article 3, Section 4 in the 1987 Philippines Constitution. It expressly stated that “No law shall be passed abridging 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.” Though this right is not absolute, the Philippine government should strike a balance in maintaining public order with the citizens’ right to free speech and expression.
Individual liberties—including the freedom of speech, expression, religion, and peaceful assembly—are safeguarded at the core of the Bill of Rights. Citizens are empowered by these rights to criticise injustice, push for changes, and hold public servants responsible.
To illustrate, in G.R. In Bayan v. Ermita, G.R. No. 169838, the Supreme Court overturned the “Calibrated Preemptive Response” policy, which stifled public demonstrations. The judiciary actively supports the Bill of Rights, as seen by this ruling, which reaffirmed that the state cannot unilaterally restrict the right to peaceful assembly.
Digital evidence in court procedures, facial recognition, and AI surveillance can expedite justice, but if improperly governed, they can also result in false allegations. In particular, without adequate legal protections, the use of influencer media or anonymous profiles on social media sites may implicate innocent people. To guarantee that the accused are not denied life, liberty, or property without comprehensive and equitable digital protections, the legal system must change.
On top of that, as responsible Filipino citizens, how do we need to respond to this matter? Active civic engagement is crucial, and digital responsibility should be a collective value. The youth, being the most prolific users of social media, must be educated to differentiate between free expression and defamation, as well as between constructive discourse and detrimental misinformation.
In exercising their rights, Filipinos must also honour the rights of others online; the Bill of Rights continues to serve as the nation’s moral compass, even in the era of smartphones, hashtags, and data algorithms. As technology evolves, so must the vigilance of the populace.
All things considered, the constitutional safeguards established in the Bill of Rights must be not only protected but also actively interpreted and enforced in light of these contemporary difficulties. Filipinos must become aware, responsible, and bold advocates of their rights, rather than passive beneficiaries.
Through education, civic involvement, and appropriate digital behaviour, the Filipino people can ensure that technology is used to empower rather than oppress. In this changing digital age, the actual strength of the Bill of Rights lies not just in the words contained in the Constitution, but also in how citizens stand up to uphold them.
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Christ Joy R. Enolpe and Illry John Trangia are third-year Political Science students from the University of Cebu-Main Campus. This piece is a requirement for our Constitutional Law subject. If you have any clarifications regarding with the piece presented, do send us an email enolpechristjoy113@gmail.com
