Philippine activist faces libel charges after exposing errors in government book
John Sherwin Felix, founder of Lokalpedia, is facing libel charges after criticising inaccuracies in a government-published book. The case follows his detailed review of Kayumanggi, a cultural publication by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Environmentalists and civil society groups have now rallied behind him, calling for the charges to be dropped.
Felix has spent years documenting the Philippines' food and cultural heritage through his project, Lokalpedia. His critique of Kayumanggi focused on factual errors in the book, which he argued misrepresented local traditions. Instead of addressing the concerns, the DTI responded with legal action.
The Environmentalists Stand Against Corruption Alliance has publicly backed Felix, describing his remarks as constructive criticism. They argue that using libel laws in this way sets a dangerous precedent, potentially silencing legitimate public scrutiny. The group also highlights a broader pattern of legal intimidation against activists and researchers in the country. In addition to dropping the charges, the alliance is urging the DTI to engage more openly with cultural experts and communities. They stress the importance of collaboration rather than confrontation in projects involving public funds and heritage. No previous cases of similar legal responses by the DTI to criticism of its publications have been recorded.
The libel case against Felix raises questions about how public institutions handle dissent. If the charges proceed, critics warn it could discourage others from speaking out on issues of cultural accuracy. For now, supporters continue to push for the DTI to withdraw the lawsuit and adopt a more inclusive approach to its work.
