Ex-Solgen Hilbay slams ban on online platforms as ‘dangerous, self-destructive’

September 28, 2026

By ABOGADO.COM.PH Staff

Former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay warned against banning social media platforms and other technologies amid perceived risks, noting that these are tools that can also be used for good.

Hilbay said banning them “is the most disruptive, dangerous, ill-conceived, and self-destructive action of any regulator.”

In a Facebook post, Hilbay illustrated his point by noting that wheels that can run over a pet can also be used to transport items or people.

He also said printers can be used to disseminate blasphemous ideas, but can also be used to educate, enlighten, and entertain.

Censorship is not the answer, he said.

“Censors are always harshly judged because they are always on the wrong side of history,” he said.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center earlier temporarily restricted access to online platform Discord following a school shooting in Cotabato. The restriction came amid concerns that it was being used to lure children into violence.

The ban was lifted after a few hours.