Sotto’s website defaced over anti-cybercrime law

MANILA, Philippines - The website of Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III was hacked last Monday night by a group opposing the anti-cybercrime law.

Sotto’s website, www.titosotto.com, was defaced with the message of the hackers, who claimed to belong to Anonymous Philippines. 

“It’s been a long time, Tito Sen! Deny us our freedom of speech and of expression through RA 10175 and we will deny you your cyberspace,” said the hackers, referring to the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

“You cannot shut us up, you cannot shut us down. And you shall not see us rest until RA 10175 is revised,” they added. “Protect our Right to Freedom of Expression!”

The message was taken down at 8 a.m. yesterday and the senator’s website was fully operational by noon.

President Aquino signed the anti-cybercrime law last September.

Various journalists, bloggers, and other groups have contested some provisions of the law, such as online criminal libel that is seen as curtailing freedom of expression on the Internet.

Critics accused Sotto of inserting the provision during the bicameral conference on the bill. The senator has denied the allegations.

Several petitions against the law have since been filed before the Supreme Court, which issued a 120-day temporary restraining order (TRO) that would expire on Feb. 6. The high court scheduled the oral arguments on the issue next week.

Other provisions that were contested include the higher penalties on crimes covered by the new law, the real-time collection of online data by authorities, the imposition of penalties on Internet users for aiding or abetting cybercrime, and the power given to the Department of Justice to take down websites without the need for a court order.