Practice question
A Representative, acting purely as a private disputant and outside any official legislative or authorized committee function, publishes an allegedly defamatory newspaper letter about a business rival. He invokes the speech-or-debate clause solely because he is a member of Congress. Which answer best follows from Jimenez v. Cabangbang?
- His position protects every private publication throughout his elected term.
- Any printed political statement is automatically a speech in Congress.
- Membership alone does not establish the privilege; the publication must fall within protected official legislative functions.
- The privilege depends solely on whether the newspaper is nationally circulated.
- Failure of the privilege necessarily proves liability for defamation.
Legal references
- 1987 Constitution, Article VI, Sections 11–14 and 16(3): https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/3/353; Section 11.
- Jimenez v. Cabangbang, G.R. No. L-15905, August 3, 1966, main decision, official legislative functions and newspaper publication: https://lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1966/aug1966/gr_l-15905_1966.html
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