Center for Environmental Concerns – Philippines (CEC-Phils),
Kalikasan People's Network for the Environment (Kalikasan PNE),
Defend Patrimony alliance
and Bayan Muna Partylist
invite you to
Kilos Kongreso para sa Kalikasan at Karapatan:
Support Actions for House Bill 5840 (Anti-SLAPP Act of 2009)
The Supreme Court and various environmental stakeholders have recently called on Congress to come up with legislation to provide the public with a clear cut law on Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP).
A SLAPP is any legal action filed by big corporations, high public officials or individuals against non-governmental organizations, people’s organizations, local residents, community groups, and individuals in an attempt to intimidate the latter into discontinuing their opposition and criticisms against any initiative of the former that adversely affects public interest and welfare. SLAPPs affect a broad number of sectors, including labor, peasant, women, labor and many more.
The persistence of SLAPPs is a disturbing phenomenon, especially when viewed in the larger context of the grim human rights record of the Arroyo administration, where extrajudicial killings, abductions, and the imposition of repressive policies curbing basic political and civil rights are rife. SLAPPs are a deterrent to pursuing social justice and the people must be protected against such legal harassment.
In February 2009, a bill was filed in the Philippine House of Representative aiming to curb the incidence of SLAPPs. House Bill (HB) 5840 (the Anti-SLAPP Act of 2009). Authored by Bayan Muna partylist representatives Satur Ocampo and Teodoro Casino aims to prohibit the filing of harassment cases against persons involved in “public-interest advocacies”. It is currently pending before the House Committee on Justice.
We invite you to attend and participate in the activities for the support of this HB 5840:
Launching of Anti-SLAPP Photo Exhibit
September 22 (Tuesday), 1:30 p.m.
North Wing Lobby, House of Representatives
Exhibit runs from September 22-24.
SLAPP and the need for Congress Action:
Legislators Forum on SLAPP and House Bill 5840
September 23 (Wednesday), 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
Minority Conference Room, North Wing Lobby Basement,
House of Representatives
Authorities on SLAPP from the Philippines and
a live online resource person from North America will participate.
Please confirm your participation.
For inquiries, contact CEC-Phils at 920.9099 (telefax)
or the Office of Rep. Ocampo at 951-1027 or 931-5001 local 7031 (Beth).
Thank you very much!
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Research, Education and Advocacy (REA) Unit
Center for Environmental Concerns-Philippines
No.26 Matulungin St., Bgy. Central Quezon City, Philippines 1100
TelefaxNo. +632-9209099,+632-9248756
Email: rea@cecphils.org
Website: www.cecphils.org
