Net users in CV want cybercrime law enhanced

CEBU, Philippines - Some web users in Central Visayas agree to enhance RA 10175 or the Anti-Cybercrime Law, whose provisions are now being questioned in the Supreme Court (SC).

In a mini-survey conducted by The FREEMAN, most of the web users in Region 7 said they are particularly in favor of Justice Assistant Secretary Geronimo Sy’s proposal to delete online libel, contrary to Internet group Democracy.Net.PH’s stand of calling the move as a “shortsighted approach.”

“I would like agree to what Geronimo did. Deleting [online libel] means improvement and enhancement of the mistakes seen in that part of the law,” Arleigh Oracion, a social media user from Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental said, adding that improving provisions are “why amendments exist.”

Another web user from Dumaguete, Alexandra Iso, said she also agrees deleting online label, adding that “lawmakers should first thoroughly review and study the provisions and make sure that the law doesn’t have flaws.”

Ernest Clyde Ortiz, a university student from Cebu, said that he also agrees with Geronimo’s move, saying that libel in print or broadcast and online libel have the same effect on the victim, but give those accused unfair disadvantage, since online libel has a much heavier sanction than libel on print or broadcast.

Some web users, however, have reservations on Geronimo’s proposal to delete online libel.

“I think, in one way, it helps netizens to be more responsible and careful with whatever they publish or post in the internet,” Greenette Tuazon, a student currently based in Cebu, said in an interview.

Jayvee Tenorio, another web user from Dumaguete, said that the move “doesn’t really make any difference.”

“But the bottom line is, some of the current provisions for such law are too invasive to speak,” he added.

Democracy.Net.PH, an online Filipino community, said that they reject the enhancements of the anti-cybercrime law, saying that the government should focus more on cyber attacks on state-owned websites.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, on the other hand, said RA 10175, which is now being questioned in the high court, can stand constitutional scrutiny.  (FREEMAN)