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Eliseo F. Soriano Vs. Ma. Consoliza P. Laguardia etc. [ DISSENTING OPINION CARPIO J. ]

ELISEO F. SORIANO, Petitioner, versus MA. CONSOLIZA P. LAGUARDIA, in her capacity as Chairperson of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board, MOVIE AND TELEVISION REVIEW AND CLASSIFICATION BOARD, JESSIE L. GALAPON, ANABEL M. DELA CRUZ, MANUEL M. HERNANDEZ, JOSE L. LOPEZ, CRISANTO SORIANO, BERNABE S. YARIA, JR., MICHAEL M. SANDOVAL, and ROLDAN A. GAVINO, Respondents. [ DISSENTING OPINION CARPIO J. ]

G.R. No. 164785 | 2009-04-29

DISSENTING OPINION 


CARPIO, J.: 

Freedom of expression is always under threat even in a democracy. Those who wish to enjoy freedom of expression must steadfastly defend it whenever and wherever it is threatened. The lesson that history teaches us is clear - defend freedom of expression, or lose it. 

I dissent because the three-month suspension of petitioner's TV program Ang Dating Daan constitutes an unconstitutional prior restraint on freedom of expression. The suspension prevents petitioner from even reciting the Lord's Prayer, or even saying "hello" to viewers, in his TV program. The suspension bars the public airing of...