If Solicitor General Jose Calida did not gag himself from advocating and filing a quo warranto petition against ABS-CBN Corporation, why should he ask the Supreme Court to gag supporters and oppositors from expressing their views on the merits or demerits of his petition?

After violating the freedom of the press by filing an unwarranted and misplaced quo warranto petition against the media giant, Calida is now transgressing the freedom of expression, both of which are constitutionally guaranteed rights.

The Senate and House Rules provide that the doctrine of sub judice does not apply to Senators and Representatives in their exercise of lawmaking.

Moreover, it is safe to assume that justices of the Supreme Court are not influenced by opinions expressed by non-litigants.

Gag orders are issued to guarantee fair trials and to enable the efficient administration of justice not to curtail the freedom of expression and of the press or restrict the public’s access to information.

EDCEL C. LAGMAN