Roundtable Discussion by Media
Experts, authors and journalists share perspectives on book banning
PPI
What does it mean when a book is instructed to be “stopped” in a memorandum by the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) (Commission on the Filipino Language/CFL)? Different sectors voiced concerns when in Memorandum No. 2022-0663, the KWF identified for cessation of five books, three of which were said to have been first published by the Commission and featured in its program, “KWF Publikasyon Paglulunsad 2022” in April 2022. The legislature, academia, literary circles and the media enquired as to its implications on education, on literature and on basic freedoms. The Philippine Press Institute (PPI) invited a former KWF commissioner, two of the five authors concerned, and an independent peace and security advocate to provide different perspectives and shed light on the matter. This comes as the nation observes Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa (National Language Month), celebrating the National Language, Filipino, along with the country’s native languages.
The mandate of the KWF was revisited alongside the resolution it passed following the memorandum. Since the memorandum was signed by only two out of its eleven commissioners, questions arose about the validity of the directive, which was thus deemed to lack the requisite majority. The experts and the authors shared sentiments as regards the KWF’s resolution. They expressed apprehensions about the memorandum’s taking effect and thus becoming a precedent so that other forms of expression, such as film and music, may become vulnerable to similar actions. Concern for the safety of the authors was likewise raised. The desire of the incumbent government to address the problem of communist rebel groups was also brought into the discussion.
The KWF is “a government office under the Office of the President (OP) created by Republic Act No. 7104, signed on August 14, 1991 by Former President Corazon C. Aquino. Its vision is “to make Filipino an effective instrument of national development; and, mission, “to undertake, coordinate and implement research programs and projects for the further development and enrichment of the Filipino language.” It also “aims at the preservation and maintenance of other native languages of the country.”
While more than one possible reason was considered to have caused the KWF to take the action it did, the request was for the KFW commissioners concerned to specify their policies for categorising literary works and to join an open dialogue with the authors as a way to resolve the matter. Meanwhile, the authors are seeking legal advice even as they intend to continue writing as a means of expressing their creativity and sharing their observations in life. The discussion concluded with a reminder that being transparent, participative and inclusive is important as these comprise the elements of good governance.
This activity is the eighth session of the “Roundtable with PPI” Season 2 series, which debuted in June 2020. Held every third Wednesday of the month, it tackles current issues thought to be of pressing concern to the public. Streamed live online, it is organised by the Philippine Press Institute (PPI) with support from the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) as part of their project cooperation on civic journalism.
Links:
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7104, August 14, 1991
https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/2/2743
Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino