DoJ to hold multi-sectoral forum on Cybercrime Prevention Law on Oct. 9

The Department of Justice on Monday announced that it will hold a multi-sectoral forum on Oct. 9 to address concerns about the controversial Republic Act 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, which will take effect on Wednesday, Oct. 3.

“Priorities in the law’s implementation will be made in constant dialogue with key stakeholders to address issues and concerns," Justice Secretary Leila De Lima said in a statement.

 

“The DOJ recommended the deletion of [the provisions for] cyberdefamation, cyberthreats and internet libel,” she also noted.

 

The mentioned provisions were the subject of several petitions filed against RA 10175. The latest petition filed over the Supreme Court sought a temporary restraining order on the law’s implementation. 

 

“The law confuses cybercrime and cyber security—two different concepts,” the Justice Secretary explained. “The creation of a new bureaucratic structure that cannot be responsible for operations will impede the successful implementation of the law.”

 

DOJ, as the law’s implementing agency, was tasked to craft the implementing rules and regulations of the law.

 

Although the department stressed that it disagrees with some of the law’s provision, De Lima noted it will still have to implement the law, adding that it cannot go beyond or against the provisions of the law. 

 

She earlier noted that some 150 investigators and prosecutors have been training to combat online offenses as prescribed in the controversial law. — BM, GMA News