MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City Regional Trial Court denied the bid for a restraining order against the National Telecommunications Commission’s (NTC) order blocking websites of cause-oriented groups and independent media outfits that are purportedly affiliates of designated terrorist organizations.
“The court is not convinced that there is an urgent need to issue a restraining order against implementing the NTC memo,” said Atty. Frank Lloyd Tiongson of the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL), who is counsel for Bulatlat, an independent online news outfit.
Bulatlat is one of the 26 organizations covered by the NTC order for internet service providers in the country to block website access.
READ: NTC orders websites ‘affiliated with, supporting terrorist organizations’ blocked
Bulatlat, in its petition, said the NTC’s order is a suppression of freedom of speech and rights and the continued infringement caused irreparable damage.
However, the Court could access the website during the hearing and read the latest news.
“Obviously, the Court itself was able to gain access to the plaintiff’s website. The Court noted that the plaintiff was able to publish the latest news and its commentaries on recent issues of public interest,” QCRTC Branch 306 Presiding Judge Dolly Rose Bolante-Prado said in her order.
She said that since Bulatlat’s website is still accessible to the public, “there is clearly no suppression of the constitutionally guaranteed right to free speech.”
“The denial of a restraining order is not indicative of the Court’s position on the main case,” Tiongson said.
READ: Groups slam NTC order to block websites linked to terror organizations
Wednesday’s hearing was only for the plea of a restraining order.
Both parties have up to Monday to submit their respective Memoranda. The next hearing is on August 2, 2022.
RELATED STORIES
Gov’t has basis to block websites tied to terror groups — incoming NICA chief