Pangilinan seeks review of cybercrime law amid bogus online deliveries

Opposition Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan on Wednesday called for amendments in the country's cybercrime law amid the rampant incidents of fake online deliveries.

In his proposed Senate Resolution 953, Pangilinan said the country's criminal laws must be reviewed as these fall short of addressing some crimes including fake online bookings.

“The Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 was passed when social media platforms and other applications were still smaller than what the giants they are today. Some platforms and applications, such as TikTok, Grab Food, and Lalamove, were not even invented in 2012,” read the resolution, which was also signed by Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon.

“As technology and social media platforms become more and more integrated into the everyday lives of Filipinos, there is a need to review the country’s existing criminal laws,” it added.

Pangilinan, who also recently fell victim to fake deliveries, questioned the timing of the fake deliveries as opposition members became vocal on their platforms ahead of Eleksyon 2022.

Aside from Pangilinan, Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Risa Hontiveros also bared that they were victimized by scammers. Robredo has declared her bid for the presidency with Pangilinan as her running mate while Hontiveros is seeking a reelection.

“Ayaw nating mag-akusa kung saan nanggaling ang mga fake bookings na ito dahil wala pa naman tayong ebidensya. Ngunit nakakapagtaka lang na naging mas madalas ang ganitong mga cheap tactics sa panahon kung saan abala tayo sa pagbuo ng mga unities sa ating mga kababayan,” Pangilinan said.

(We don't want to accuse anyone regarding these fake bookings because we have no evidence. But I could not help but wonder why these cheap tactics are rampant while we are busy uniting our countrymen.)

“Nevertheless, we will not fall victim to this dirty trick. ‘Ika nga: when they go low, we go high,” he added. -- Consuelo Marquez/BAP, GMA News