Equipped with inquisitive minds, College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS) first-year students engaged in a conversation through an open forum regarding the Safe Space Act of 2019 held at MSU-IIT IDS-Multipurpose Hall last November 16, 2022.
Following Atty. Sheila Dagondon's lecture on the provisions of the Safe Space Act, the program welcomed questions from CASS students as the open forum commenced.
The first question revolved around the premise of a safe space in an online environment.
Host Adjemore Manabat contextualized his question on the admissibility of posted screenshots involved in a privately held message as evidence for legal actions.
Atty. Sheila Dagondon reiterated that the law addresses situations that transpired in public spaces, which includes online platforms. However, other laws may be invoked on a case-to-case basis. "The moment there is posting already and if it is libelous, it is already answerable by cybercrime laws," she stressed. Authentication of evidence will usually follow in these types of situations to push forward a lawsuit.
The second question asked by a student from the crowd opened the discussion on the different types of damages: Moral, Exemplary, Nominal, Actual, Temperate, and Liquidated.
According to Atty. Dagondon, these damages are to be awarded to the victim as monetary compensation for any harm done or wrong sustained.
The third question underscored the liability of inflicting harm to the safe space offender under the pretext of self-defense.
Atty. Dagondon reminded students, "don't exaggerate your response," and remain composed as much as possible when faced with such situations. "If the injury that you have caused is much greater than the one that you have suffered, then you are liable," she added. She noted that self-defense is exempted in a few cases only. However, she further expounded the discussion suggesting that mitigating circumstances may reduce the culpability of an act under factors that pushed a particular defendant in the commission of an act — contrastingly related to aggravating circumstances that increase the severity of guilt.
The last question prompted the dialogue to center on the topic of prescription.
Atty. Dagondon explained, "the accused cannot be placed forever in a situation of which he or she will be unsure of when will the victim file the cases against him." Hence, there is only a certain period in which one can file the case the moment the safe space violation takes place.
Atty. Dagondon reminded students not just to stop knowing one's rights but also to have the confidence to enforce them.
About the Author
John Vincent M. Balustre
John Vincent Balustre is a news correspondent and an AB Sociology student. Hailing from the small town of Oroquieta City he has polished his craft in writing and took part in major posts from his former school publication, The CAPITOL of MONHS. His writing interests are usually in politics, community engagement, and entertainment.
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