Solicitor General Jose Calida told the Supreme Court (SC) that freedom of speech and the press is not absolute.

Calida pointed this out in his reply that was submitted before the SC which he asked to issue a gag order against ABS-CBN over the quo warranto petition against the media giant.

“The exercise of such right is not absolute for it may be so regulated that it shall not be injurious to the equal enjoyment of others having equal rights, nor injurious to the rights of the community or society,” he stated.

The reply was in response to the comment of ABS-CBN concerning the gag order he sought.

Calida filed the quo warranto petition to have the legislative franchise of ABS-CBN revoked due to alleged violations committed by the network.

Later, Calida filed a petition asking to impose a gag order over the parties involved in the petition.

“However, not content with issuing its official statement on the petition, ABS-CBN thereafter engaged in propaganda in a clear attempt to elicit public sympathy, sway public opinion, and, ultimately, to influence the resolution of the case,” Calida alleged.