Malacanang open to proposed anti-cybercrime bill v 2.0

Malacañang is open to a new bill by Sen. Miriam Santiago that seeks to replace the controversial Anti-Cybercrime Law of 2012. The palace added that it is amenable to lawmakers’ suggestions on the matter.

 

Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said it is up to all lawmakers to propose what they believe would improve the country’s capabilities against cybercrimes.

 

“Katulad ng sinabi natin nang mainit ang issue ng cybercrime law, hahayaan natin sa mambabatas [kung] ano ang kanilang napupusuan na dapat maamyendahan sa batas na yan (As we have said when the Anti-Cybercrime Law was a hot topic, we will let lawmakers propose what changes they feel may be needed for the law),” she said on government-run dzRB radio.

 

Santiago has proposed a "Magna Carta for Philippine Internet Freedom" to replace Republic Act No. 10175, currently barred by a temporary restraining order issued by the Supreme Court.

 

The proposed measure, filed as Senate Bill No. 3327, aims to protect the rights and freedoms of Filipinos in cyberspace, while defining and penalizing cybercrimes, Santiago said.

 

Last September 12, President Benigno Aquino III signed into law Republic Act 10175, the Anti-Cybercrime Law. The said law sought to give government more teeth against computer-related crimes like hacking, child pornography, and even online libel.

 

But many groups protested what they called its high potential to restrain free speech. Following protests that saw hacker groups briefly attacking government websites, the Supreme Court issued a 120-day TRO against the law.

 

Also, Santiago said, if the bill is passed into law, it will be the first Philippine measure created through online crowdsourcing, a process that gathers input from netizens who volunteer their talent, expertise, and skills.

 

She said that software designers, IT specialists, academics, bloggers, engineers, lawyers, and human rights advocates already approached her office with a draft of the MCPIF.

 

The group formulated the MCPIF through discussions in an open Facebook group, email, Google Hangout teleconferences, and social media channels like Twitter, she said.--KDM, GMA News