Palace cites importance of Cybercrime Law

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang yesterday stressed the importance of the Cybercrime Prevention Act to address Internet-related crimes, but is leaving it up to Congress to repeal the law after the Supreme Court (SC) issued an indefinite temporary restraining order (TRO) on its implementation.

“If you look at its entirety, the law has a lot of good intentions,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said yesterday.

“I think nobody will argue that identity fraud should be a crime. Nobody will argue that our women and children need to be protected if they’re exploited for pornography on the Internet,” Valte said.

She also noted that President Aquino admitted in past interviews that Republic Act 10175 is “not a perfect law.”

Besides, she said, the President could not veto the controversial provisions of the law, unlike in a tariff or revenue bill.

On the controversial take-down clause, or section 19 of the law, which empowers the Department of Justice to block computer data found to be in violation of the law, Valte, said Malacañang has “no argument” on it.

Solicitor General Francis Jardeleza admitted that section 19 is unconstitutional, but said it is not a reason to scrap the entire law.

“Except for Section 19, the whole law is constitutional. Under the law, you can declare parts unconstitutional but not its entirety. If you have a case of mango, just because one is rotten does not mean the whole case is rotten,” Jardeleza said.

Lawmakers welcome TRO

Lawmakers, meanwhile, lauded the SC for the extension of the TRO.

“This latest Supreme Court action sends the right signal that the principle of check and balance is working in our country,” Cagayan Rep. Juan Ponce Enrile Jr. said.

Enrile said the SC decision proves that some provisions in the law should be reconsidered, even as he expressed hope that the Senate will initiate such action.

Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Teodoro Casiño welcomed the indefinite extension of the TRO and asked the high tribunal to  “take its time” in deliberating on the law.

“I think the SC is of the opinion that there would be clear and present danger if it lets the TRO lapse and the law is implemented,” Casiño said.

“Maybe the SC would want to give Congress a chance to correct the law,” he said, adding that he and other lawmakers have filed bills to amend the law.

Migrante party-list also welcomed the SC ruling, saying the cybercrime law will affect overseas Filipino workers’ access to information.

 â€œSocial media is a powerful and effective medium that is being utilized by overseas Filipinos, especially in information-gathering and awareness of current events, national affairs and the plight and conditions of Filipinos abroad,” Connie Bragas-Regalado, Migrante party-list chairperson, said.

Regalado said OFWs were able to connect with their families  through social media and this connectivity can be cut with the implementation of RA 10175.

– With  Paolo Romero, Mayen Jaymalin, Sandy Araneta