Freedom of Speech in the Philippines
Expats have less freedom of speech in the Philippines than do citizens. Like it or not, if you live in the Philippines as a foreigner, you do not have freedom of speech. I’m not clear on just what that means. What I know is that immigration has warned foreigners on several occasions that they can be deported for participating in demonstrations.
If you tell a Filipino what you think of them and what you think of them is not pleasant, you can be deported. Both of these are well known. Even raising your voice in an unfriendly way can be grounds for being deported and blacklisted. Preventing you from ever returning to the Philippines.
Limited Freedom of Speech in the Philippines for Filipinos Too?
I think most Filipinos would say they have freedom of speech. I know several have told me that. Some have told me that I too can speak out about politics but I think they are mistaken. Fact is this, speaking out against a politician in the Philippines can get you killed. There is a journalist organization, I forget their name, that list the Philippines as one of the most dangerous places to be a journalist. My memory says it is on top of the list, but I’m not at all certain my memory is correct.
As an American, we treat speech as a form of protest. An article can be a form of protest. If that is not also true in the Philippines? If an article is not a form of protest in the Philippines then I suppose I can write anything I like to about the Philippines. I could write without running afoul of the limitations of free speech in the Philippines. I will stick with the broader implication of what protest is.
There is a law in the Philippines that makes it a crime for a public display to offend someone’s race or religion. I like the concept of that. We should accept the views of others as they apply to others. I don’t mean we should accept those views as our own way. I’ve never seen an instance where insult a race makes any sense. Do I like the law itself? Don’t feel it is my place to say.
This law applies to Filipino as well as foreigners. It is a distinct difference in an American’s way of thinking and understanding of free speech. The right to offend in the American system is clearly included. Even in American law we do have our limitations but they can get very muddy.
Recently there was much outrage over an art exhibit in the Philippines. I didn’t grasp the point of the artist was trying to make. Jessie thought the point was that Jesus was a man. Even if that is accurate, I don’t know what that would man, only a man or a man too.
The art included a phallic protruding from the face of Jesus. No doubt shocking. I can be quite the fan of shocking art to make a point. It is very effective. Whatever the point of the artist was, what I saw didn’t cause me to think he was necessarily attacking Christ. Even if he was, then within my culture and legal system, he has every right to do so. Though even in America, some would like to be able to prevent this kind of speech. They are often the very same people that wrap themselves in the flag. They don’t even understand our flag.
This display was not in America and though that is an obvious thing to say, I too am trying to make a point. This is the Philippines, our way is not necessarily better. It is extremely arrogant to tell another culture they should accept our values and systems.
This artist Mideo Cruz, is now facing criminal charges in the Philippines. A religious group has filed charges for a public display of this art. The art was shown at Cultural Center of the Philippines which I believe is backed by the Philippine government. The director in charge of the exhibit has also resigned over this affair.
In many cases, any Filipino can prosecute a law in the Philippines. They can file suit if a law is broken. Usually it has to effect them directly. In family matters it usually must be brought by family. But filing suit in the Philippines is not always for civil purposes, it can mean brought up before a court on criminal charges. In some states in the USA, citizens can do this too. I saw it happen in Tennessee involving some strip clubs.
This doesn’t mean that authorities will charge him but it does mean a court could send the artist to jail If you are sitting in jail, the distinction won’t matter very much as to who did it.
This art might be seen as obscene to some in the Philippines. If the art met that definition, then freedom of
speeach in the Philippines would parallel freedom of speech in the USA. I’ve not seen anyone espouse the idea that it is obscene though I suspect it is to some. Obscenity though is not the test for freedom of speech in the Philippines.
As a foreigner, you may not like the limitations imposed on your freedom of speech in the Philippines. There will be things you don’t like about living in the Philippines. The fact is, if you choose to live in the Philippines you are held to their laws. If you are an American, then your held to both the Philippines and the USA’s laws. Since I am not a lawyer, I can’t tell you exactly what these limitations end or how far they reach. However, by American standards, freedom of speech in the Philippines is not as broad and there are limitations you may not much like.
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Tagged with: Filipino Culture • Freedom Of Speech. Expats Living In The Philippines • Living In The Philippines
Filed under: Living In The Philippines
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well ty what i have learned in the philippines i have the learn the art of biting my tounge thank for the fourm to unlock my fingers
Dusty, I hear you. A very good idea here. No doubt about it.
Rusty, honestly, this article is silly. I know of many many many people that have told filipinos what they think of them and have not been deported or had any problems at all. And what they thought of them was not good.
Deporting a foreigner for speaking his/her mind would be extremely rare.
I was blatantly trying to be ripped off last October at the airport in Manila. Terminal 3. I openly told the airport security that he was trying to me off and he was a dirt bag. Nothing at all happened to me.
I have openly gone after taxi cab drivers and called them thieves right in front of policemen…and nothing has happened.
Bob Martin, on his website, openly criticizes things in the filipines and nothing has happened to him. He has criticized policies of the government and openly criticized other things.
I think you do a BIG injustice to the filipines by posting articles that are just not true.
Where do you get some of your information?
Just because someone files a lawsuit doesn’t mean it is criminal. Geez, lawsuits are filed all the time in the United States because people do not like something, and they tried to get rid of it because it offends them.
There might be cases where I could go way out of line and be too harsh and that could cause me problems…but honestly, only a fool would do something like that.
As far as speaking out against politicians, sure that could get you killed…because those same politicians could be corrupt…but there is not a law that says you will get deported if you speak out against them!!
As far as demonstrations…you might get deported if they are violent…but not if they are peaceful. Come on now Rusty!
I can mostly say what I want in the Philippines, and I have, and I have not had any issues.
Todd, I find it hard to read a comment that starts out with “this article is silly” What a rude, thing to say. Maybe I’ll read it later. I’m sorry you can’t see the value in it. Guess I better wake up before I continue.
Go start your own blog where you can write all the non silly things you like.
A little sensitive today Rusty? You think that is rude? Your article is not accurate and very misleading!
So you just want comments that agree with what you say? The article is not accurate!!!
This type of article is what gets people afraid of the Philippines.
Sorry to hear you are so sensitive today!
Todd, lets just say that regardless of what things you say I wouldn’t attack them as silly. I’ll respond more to you later.
I wouldn’t stay that even if they are silly.
I will say this, based on what little I read in your comment that you have zero, absolutely no idea of what you are talking about.
You just keep doing what you’re doing Todd, keep attacking Taxi drivers, right you keep right on doing that.
I know Bob fairly well, he’s been in my home, used the computer in my bedroom had my monkey crawling on his back. I really enjoyed Bob’s visit and I hope to see him in Davao within a few months.
I read his blog a few times a month, probably at least once a week and he reads mine. I have zero desire to be like Bob Martin, well other than his golden thumb which he seems to have, I wish I could cut that off and transplant it to my on hand.
I really can’t go into Bob’s thoughts on the matter. I suspect I know them better than you do. Though, I’ve wondered if he has had a change of heart. I think some of the things he talks of on his blog is treading very dangerous ground. However, why not look a little deeper into his blog. He wrote a story a couple of years ago, something about “Ugly Americans.” He said in public something like that he could have gotten into some serious trouble in his early days. I believe he said “I was the ugly American.”
I think it unlikely you’ll see Bob take a specific Filipino to task on his blog. Why don’t you ask him if they will kill you. Ask him what he thinks of you calling a Filipino a thief. If you like living here, you best change your ways. If you keep doing things like this, You’re headed for trouble.
I wonder if you’re able to fully appreciate Bob’s wording though.
Many Filipino don’t want his opinion. You 100% can be thrown out of this country for insulting a Filipino, I don’t know how you could live here more than two months and not learn that.
I’ve seen some of his articles that made me go “Whoa…. I wouldn’t say that.” But then, I usually don’t agree with him on political matters. Though he did understand once we met that I’m no liberal, that I’m a libertarian that isn’t insane.
I really wish I hadn’t left my first comment to you on this but at the time it was the best I could do. I find it really easy to attack you as you did me. I’m glad I didn’t violate my own standards and do it. I’m still find it very hard.
I should also say that I don’t want to be like Bob Martin because I desire to be me. That isn’t a reflection on Bob at all whom I admire.
I have read everyones comments here. All I can say is that when I was with my GF there in cebu and in Makati, she warned me several times not to be “to American”. She was talking about how I might talk to people. She could tell when I wanted to say something and had a nice way of nudging me to remind me–This was not America and I don’t get to voice myself like I was at home.She never went into specifics but I did come to realize that what I said could also reflect back to her and her family in their area. So just being polite and maybe just keeping some of my opinions to myself was best. Either way, it made my stay there much better and less stressful. Live and let live.
Some of that is cultural.
Jessie almost always reads my articles before I post them. From time to time she suggest that I change the wording.
“You might get in trouble.” Usually she’s afraid I will offend someone only and that will cause my trouble. Sometime I reword it and sometimes I don’t. I usually reword it. Most of the time after I explain it to her more, she says, “Oh it is okay.” But if she took it that way, others might so I take it that way. SO I usually add my explanation to the article.
Todd how long u live in the RP? You must be new. At least I hope so. Rusty is write on target with his cAutions.
You are the same man that tells us it is safe to date and send money to filipinas you meet online? You’re experience is extremely limited. Either that or you have been lucky when dealing with them. The luck will run out.
Todd: I’m writing this to you, not in defense of Rusty but for your own welfare. If you continue on the path that you are taking in your behavior in the Philippines, you will be lucky to be deported. Most likely you will shortly disappear from this beloved earth. I am Filipino-American and is an American university professor. Behavior tolerated in the U.S. is not tolerated in the Philippines, especially from a foreigner towards natives.
“As far as demonstrations…you might get deported if they are violent…but not if they are peaceful. Come on now Rusty!”
LOL You didn’t bother to follow the link in my article. You will be deported for participating in a non-violent demonstration.
All you gotta do is follow the link in the article.
“Where do you get some of your information?”
Maybe you should try actually living here. I don’t know if you ever did but you are not living here now. I get my information by living it Todd.
I got the information from the BI Todd. There was another incident involving PETA where a similar warning went out. http://cebuexperience.com/living-in-the-philippines/immigration-warns-foreigners/
I want to make one more point…the Philippines is really misunderstood by so many people because of inaccurate information.
In the filipines you have the right to speak your mind and defend yourself from people trying to steal from you or anything like that.
If you are faced with corrupt officials you have the right to speak your mind and defend you or your loved ones from abuse or being stolen from.
I think in the filipines it is how you do it. If you are really arrogant and throw a temper tantrum you might have some issues with being deported, but not likely.
In my case with the taxi cab driver I openly, in front of police, called the taxi cab driver a thief. The police were on my side!
The filipino people and government are reasonable. You really have to be an ass to get into trouble in the filipines.
I have always found any dealings I have had with police and other government officials to be pleasant and they have been very respectful. Just use some common sense and offer your protest in a respectful way.
Telling someone they lack common sense and their article is silly is not respectful. If you think so, great for you. I’ll just consider the source next time.
BTW, I tossed one person off here for saying one of your post were silly.
People can have different opinions in a proper way. I hope you are able to do that in the future.
I don’t think I ever said the police would not be respectful. Don’t understand why you felt the need to do that. I call the Philippines the land of respect. In fact, disrespect even in a disagreement is not the Filipino way. There is a word for “lose of face” here. I don’t recall what it is. it is a central part of Filipino culture. Violate it and you could very well pay a very severe penalty.
Just because you called that taxi driver a thief in front a policeman doesn’t mean it was legal. Do that in front of a Immigration officer. They might let it go if the Filipino doesn’t complain. If he does, the best you can hope for is that he will take cash to accept your apology.
I know you want listen to a word I say but perhaps the other 1000 people a day that visit this site will learn. I know you’ve made your mind up and I’m okay with that. Really the only problem I had was you telling me the article was silly. I will know better next time.
Filipino will usually choose not to fight. If they do, it will probably go very badly for you.
There is a lot of common sense in the Philippines but it only takes one hot head to decide to file a complaint against you with with the BI. Or P4000 and have someone shoot you in the head.
I just recalled an incident at the Bureau of Immigration I ran witnessed a few years back.
There was a newbie American there that clearly thought he was better than those of his host. I don’t recall now what his problem was, he didn’t want to fill out a form or he didn’t want to wait his turn. I don’t recall. Something like that. He raised his voice and became upset.
The immigration officer told him in her respectful Filipino way, “Sir, please don’t raise your voice to me.” His reply was “What are you going to do if I do?” She continued with her respectful Filipino with “I may deport you, Sir.” He returned to his chair after having his butt handed to him in a polite respectful Filipino way.
Read these: Radio Reporter Killed
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There was another incident I wrote about a few years ago. One of the resort managers in Cebu City was required to explain why he behaved in a poor way to a group of Filipino in his restaurant. These Filipino were seeking additional discounts after having some kind of function at the hotel. I don’t recall exactly what he said, but the guy was probably frustrated and maybe tired too. Instead of politely saying no, he walked out after letting his irritation be known. He wasn’t violent, he was just disrespectful.
Yelling at a taxi driver could get you in trouble. Is the taxi driver likely to go to BI and report this? No. In the above case, the guy happened to yell at the wrong people, people with connections and all the had to do was pick up a phone. There is a good chance that taxi driver didn’t know that you had set yourself up. If he had really wanted to get money out of you, you gave him the perfect opportunity to do so. You need to educate yourself before you tell me what I say is silly.
When you walk into the BI office in Mandaue, the first think you see is the complaint desk. I often seen people filing a compliant. That is Filipino there filing a compliant against some foreigner.
Some of you might have noticed the main interest in this article is Free Speech in the Philippines, not just aimed at foreigners.
There are a couple of stories in the press today. One says that blasphamy is protected in the Philippines under a UN treaty on political and religous freedoms. http://opinion.inquirer.net/9981/the-crucible-of-free-speech
Another OP-Ed is just asking the question “Do Filipino really want free speech” over this artistic display. http://opinion.inquirer.net/9981/the-crucible-of-free-speech
The USA has also struggled with this. I remember some “art” in our Federally funded museums that I found to be obscene. Involving depiction of children in was that are off limits if were not “art.” Promoting what that art seemed to be promoting I found to be obscene. The USA passed some regulations or laws to try to address it
The group that is pointing out that the art in the Philippines is protected free speech via the UN Treaty which the Philippines is bound to in theory is an atheist group. Even though their logic and position seem valid to me, I wonder if they don’t hurt more than they help in a country where religion is so central.
Still there is a Philippine law on the books in direct conflict with that treaty. If the case ever gets out of the waiting stage, it will be interesting to see how the court will deal with it. If it can find an out, some technicality to throw the case out, my guess is that it will.
If you’re going to claim that people will be deported for expressing their opinions publicly then please name names.
John So&So deported May 20, 2001 etc.
Sam Smith deported January 4, 2003 etc.
This would have been an easy task for you if your claims were correct. If you are making a claim then please back it up with facts. Our own immigration officers might have said the exact same thing (“I may have you deported.”)to a rude applicant for immigration in the U.S. before all the politically correct speech was imposed on us. When it comes to freedom of speech, the United States may not cause you legal problems but the looks you can get just for being a fifty seven year old white male with a beard in certain liberal quarters of the United States are enough to get you thinking of moving quickly to the Philippines and out of this this racist and ageist nation. The intensity against white fifty plus year old men in the American press is so over the top that it’s hard to think of any place more the opposite than the Philippines. I love the Philippines. I’ve lived there for twice for a year on each occassion and many other times. I speak Tagalog and as far as freedom of speech in the Philippines, it’s as free as it is in high school. If you’re a punk in a room full of jocks you have to behave differently than if you’re a punk in a room full of adults. It also matters who you know. The same goes for cerain ghettos in the U.S., bars, talking bad about the queen in Canada etc. If you talk about the mechanics of politics and not persons you’re fairly safe everywhere except with the jocks and in the Philippines their equivalent would be members of the military and police. That has been my only feeling of restriction in the Philippines. When I discover someone is a member of the police or military or politically aligned, I simply have an appointment and I leave never to return. That’s very simple.
Don, If the Bureau of Immigration tells me I can’t protest, then that’s enough for me.
Did I actually say that you’ll be deported for expressing your opinion? Or did I just say I choose not to on some issues because I don’t wish to test the system. I know which one it was that I said.
Go ahead, spout your mouth off. I’ve seen one man being told by an immigration officer that if he continued to raise his voice she would deport him.
As usual, it is the folks that don’t actually live in the Philippines that kind of dispute what I say. I’ve given evidence regarding my concern. Ignore if if you wish.
Some of the responses here are a bit silly imho. Yes Rusty clearly follows a more cautious approach to obeying, understanding and following laws. But he always backs up his articles with facts and proof. In the use you could get a ticket for “Jaywalking” crossing a street in non designated areas. Yes it is unlikly for u to actually get one, but if the cost of the ticket could significantly ruin tour finacial life I am sure u would play it safe and take the longer route. I see the same paralells in Rustys actions in regaurds to laws. It’s definitely not fear mongering he is trying to keep what he has and tell others how to best achieve this as well. I think some people here are just assuming all people that get in situations would use common sense, but that is relative and in the heat of the moment can be forggoten, but if u remember this article and the potential for the consiquences of being deported u may act different and save yourself a lot of trouble.
I suspect, in most cases you could talk your way out of a situation where you got into a heated exchange. You might even get away with showing up at a protest IF you behaved and apologized afterwards.
I personally, don’t wish to put myself in that situation. I also wish to let people know the things that can bring them trouble.
I’m going to have stop worrying about people spewing out information when they don’t know what they are talking about.
I’ve also come to realize that people don’t want to hear things they don’t like. I don’t always get it right, I’m not perfect. I logged into write an article about something I’ve been wrong about. And even though I have it on good authority that I’m wrong I am finding it very difficult to discount the authoritative information I got that indicated otherwise. 
So, I’ve gone back to what I first believed on that subject. Though I have some reservations. Off to write that article now.
“Those who don’t speak another man’s language are not only deaf to that man’s world but they are blind because they can’t even read his lips.”
Don Milton – That’s me!
Learn one of their languages and then tell me that you know what’s going on. What a joke!