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Philippine media groups assail Cybercrime Law
Twelve different media groups led by the militant National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) on Wednesday filed before the Supreme Court their separate petition questioning the constitutionality of the controversial Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
The journalists, along with the Ateneo Human Rights Center, challenged the constitutionality of Sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 14, 15, 19, 21, 24, and 26 of the law, which were seen as violations to freedom of speech, right to privacy, illegal searches and seizures and double jeopardy.
"Petitioners ask this Court to rule on Republic Act no. 10175, a law that establishes a regime of 'cyber authoritarianism' and undermines all the fundamental guarantees of freedoms and liberties that many have given their lives and many still give their lives work to vindicate, restore and defend,” the journalists said in their petition.
They also said that the new law unduly restricts the rights and freedoms of netizens and impacts adversely on an entire generation’s way of living, studying, understanding and relating.
The journalists are challenging the constitutionality of the Cybercrime Law, particularly Sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 14, 15, 19, 21, 24, and 26. They viewed the provisions as violations to freedom of speech, right to privacy, illegal searches and seizures and double jeopardy.
Referring to Martial Law years, the journalists said: "Far from complying with the State policy in Article II, section 24 of the 1987 Constitution that 'recognizes the vital role of communication and information' and advancing the use of technology to expand the space for creative, imaginative, and progressive use of information and communications technology (ICT)...the law, if allowed to stand, will usher in yet another darkness.”
Named respondents in the petition are Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, the National Bureau of Investigation, the Philippine National Police and the Cybercrime Investigation and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center, among others.
The Department of Justice and the Department of Interior and Local Government are among the agencies tasked to craft the implementing rules and regulations within 90 days from the approval of the law on September 12.
The high court on Tuesday said it has deferred the deliberation of the petitions to next week, sparking disappointment among those who are pushing for a temporary restraining order (TRO) prior to the implementation of the new law.
Other media outfits that These are the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, Center for Community Journalism and Development, Peace and Conflict Journalism Network Philippines, Philippine Center for Photojournalism; ABS-CBN/ABS-CBNNews.com, GMA-7/GMA News Online, Rappler.com, Mindanews, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Interaksyon.com, Sun.Star, Daily Tribune, Malaya/Business Insight, VERA Files, and Far Eastern Broadcasting Corp.
The journalists, along with the Ateneo Human Rights Center, challenged the constitutionality of Sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 14, 15, 19, 21, 24, and 26 of the law, which were seen as violations to freedom of speech, right to privacy, illegal searches and seizures and double jeopardy.
"Petitioners ask this Court to rule on Republic Act no. 10175, a law that establishes a regime of 'cyber authoritarianism' and undermines all the fundamental guarantees of freedoms and liberties that many have given their lives and many still give their lives work to vindicate, restore and defend,” the journalists said in their petition.
They also said that the new law unduly restricts the rights and freedoms of netizens and impacts adversely on an entire generation’s way of living, studying, understanding and relating.
The journalists are challenging the constitutionality of the Cybercrime Law, particularly Sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 14, 15, 19, 21, 24, and 26. They viewed the provisions as violations to freedom of speech, right to privacy, illegal searches and seizures and double jeopardy.
Referring to Martial Law years, the journalists said: "Far from complying with the State policy in Article II, section 24 of the 1987 Constitution that 'recognizes the vital role of communication and information' and advancing the use of technology to expand the space for creative, imaginative, and progressive use of information and communications technology (ICT)...the law, if allowed to stand, will usher in yet another darkness.”
Named respondents in the petition are Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, the National Bureau of Investigation, the Philippine National Police and the Cybercrime Investigation and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center, among others.
The Department of Justice and the Department of Interior and Local Government are among the agencies tasked to craft the implementing rules and regulations within 90 days from the approval of the law on September 12.
The high court on Tuesday said it has deferred the deliberation of the petitions to next week, sparking disappointment among those who are pushing for a temporary restraining order (TRO) prior to the implementation of the new law.
Other media outfits that These are the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, Center for Community Journalism and Development, Peace and Conflict Journalism Network Philippines, Philippine Center for Photojournalism; ABS-CBN/ABS-CBNNews.com, GMA-7/GMA News Online, Rappler.com, Mindanews, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Interaksyon.com, Sun.Star, Daily Tribune, Malaya/Business Insight, VERA Files, and Far Eastern Broadcasting Corp.
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