DOJ warning on ‘malicious’ claims in modules sends ‘chilling effect’ to critics

Earlier, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra warned people who spread "malicious" claims about error-laden learning materials allegedly printed by DepEd may face criminal charges like cyber libel.

With Guevarra's warning, a media law and ethics expert said that it sends a 'chilling effect' as Filipinos may be afraid to voice out their comments. In an interview, lawyer Marichu Lambino said Guevarra should have avoided issuing a warning as “an act of prudence.”

Sana huwag na lang siyang manakot dahil ang pananakot niya ay may kinalaman sa kalayaan sa pamamahayag, at ito ay isang uri ng prior restraint,

said Lambino, who teaches at the University of the Philippine College of Mass Communication.

Guevarra’s statements came after Education Secretary Leonor Briones said the DepEd was not responsible for all errors in learning materials that have gone viral online and has asked DOJ's help to prosecute those making false claims of errors in the modules.

According to Lambino, it is not libelous for people to criticize the DepEd over erroneous modules which not come from the department because it is one of DepEd's function to monitor all learning materials used in the education system.

Hindi po ito libelous dahil may substantial basis na punahin iyong DepEd kahit na hindi ito ‘yong author, dahil tungkulin nito na tiyaking hindi mali ‘yong mga pinapalaganap na kaalaman,

she said.

Hindi niya (DepEd) puwedeng hugasan iyong kaniyang kamay at sabihing, Ah hindi, wala kaming kinalaman diyan,

Lambino added.

Meanwhile, since the start of class last month, Education Undersecretary Diosdado San Antonio said they have discovered at least 41 errors in published self-learning modules after they launched the DepEd’s Error Watch to monitor flaws in the learning materials. Of the 41 confirmed errors, San Antonio pointed out that 27 came from locally developed modules that could no longer be retrieved since they had already been used by students.