Cybercrime Law author open to amendments

One of the authors of the newly signed law against cybercrime on Wednesday said he is open to amending the controversial measure, which is now the subject of at least seven petitions before the Supreme Court.   "If we believe... na representante po tayo ng tao, dapat pakinggan po natin [ang clamor to amend]," Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara told reporters after filing his certificate of candidacy at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) main office in Manila.   He said Congress should display humility and “own up” to all the provisions in Republic Act 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, including those being contested by various groups before the high court.   "Pag nagkamali siguro kailangan magpakumbaba ang mga lehislador at aminin na baka medyo... baka nagkamali ho kami diyan at baguhin," said Angara, who is running for senator in next year’s elections under the administration banner.   "I think Congress can no longer deny that it passed that law… it has to own up to all, lahat po ng nilalaman," he added.   Angara specifically said he is open to repealing the controversial online libel clause in RA 10175, which President Benigno Aquino III signed last Sept. 12.   "Kung ‘yung amendment is to decriminalize online libel, okay ‘yun sa ‘kin," he said, noting that there was no online libel provision in his version of the law.   "I think doon sa online libel, baka better na hindi criminal ang punishment... baka mas maganda ang trend kasi worldwide is civil na lang ang punishment," Angara said.   He, however, stressed that even without the online libel provision on the Cybercrime Prevention Law, which covers crimes under the Revised Penal Code, there are already existing restrictions for it.   "Actually kahit wala yung cybercrime law may online libel.  May 2010 decision ang Korte Suprema. You can punish a person for online libel so kahit wala pa itong batas, may online libel na without you knowing it," Angara said.   On the other hand, Angara said the takedown provision in the law should not be a cause for alarm.   "Sa [Department of Justice], nagsabi na rin naman si Secretary Leila de Lima na they will be very judicious and careful in exercising this power, at ‘yun talaga ay para sa mga prima facie na masama po yung mga website," he said.   Angara’s father, Sen. Edgardo Angara, who is one of the authors of the law in the Senate, refused to comment on the issue.   "Araw niya ito," he told reporters at the Comelec, referring to his son.   The elder Angara, along with Senate Majority Leader Tito Sotto, are being accused of inserting the online libel provision in the law. — Kimberly Jane Tan/KBK, GMA News