MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) yesterday said prohibiting the use of the so-called “jejemon” lingo in private communications is a violation of freedom of expression.
The Department of Education (DepEd) earlier said that while it cannot ban the use of jejemon in private communications such as text messages, email and social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, it will strongly discourage students from using the fad language.
“To prevent them (from using the jejemon lingo) would be a transgression of freedom of expression and right to privacy,” CHR chair Leila de Lima said.
She pointed out, however, that the DepEd has the right to require students to use proper language in school.
“It’s the Department of Education’s responsibility and mandate that students are educated on what’s right and wrong, including the right language of communication within the confines of academe or of the educational system such as in exams, essays, homework, assignments, etc.,” De Lima said. “To that extent, it may so ban the use of the jejemon lingo.”
Legaspi Bishop Joel Baylon, chair of the CBCP-Episcopal Commission on Youth, said the jejemon phenomenon should not be a cause for worry because it is just a passing fad.
He likened the jejemon phenomenon to the hippie subculture of the 1960s and the jeprox of the ’70s.
Baylon said people should just accept this style of writing among the youth.
“Enjoy it while it is there, for as long as you know there are some standards whether in language, in values system or in a relationship,” he said. “If you want to communicate in jejemon, make sure that people really understand what you mean.”
He said the teachers should tolerate the use of jejemon in personal communication but maintain academic standards themselves.
“These kids are just expressing themselves, they are not setting standards. I hope that the teachers do not copy jejemon,” he said.