For now, our freedom to express our opinion without fear is back, for now after the Supreme Court issue a Temporary Restraining Order against Cybercrime Law. After 15 petitions have been filed, we have our freedom back, for now.
Taken from Google
The respondents to the petitions - President Benigno Aquino III, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., the Departments of Justice, Interior and Local Government, and Science and Technology, the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation – were given 10 days to submit their comments on 15 petitions assailing the law, which critics deem unconstitutional (Which is after the Libel-clause has been inserted). Oral arguments has been set to January 15, 2013.
Here's how Cybercrime Law was created until stopped by the Supreme Court (Photo courtesy of Rappler)
Voting was unanimous which means the Judiciary are still for the people (?). But still, we have to be vigilant and be more cautious as they may find a way to put it back using all possible means.
For more update on the Good News, you may check the following links here, here, here and here.
It's good to know that our voice over cyberspace is still safe and sound (for now).
I just went online at 12:30am and I just saw this interesting post on my facebook wall. Yes, some of the government websites are reportedly to be hacked as of 12:00am around 4 of them were hacked and increased as the night goes deeper.
Lead by a hacking group calling themselves Anonymous Philippines, they say this law kills freedom of expression online just like killing traditional media. They (Anonymous Philippines) have also expressed disgust with the government for adopting provisions from an "80-year-old antiquated libel laws." Journalists, media organizations and lawyers have said that the new cybercrime law violate freedom of expression and make an all-powerful justice secretary who, based on the law, can shut down any site on the basis of prima facie evidence of libel.
"The Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 is the most notorious act ever witnessed in the cyberhistory of the Philippines, and the language of the bill is cunningly designed to make you think it only applies to individuals who are deep in cybertechnology and doesn't apply to everyone. (But) some part of the bill basically says it can imprison anyone who commits libel either by written messages, comments, blogs, or posts in sites such as Facebook, Twitter, or any other comment-spaces of other social media in the Internet".
Anyway, I was able to get a screenshot of those said websites and they have really de-faced them showing dissatisfaction over the Cybercrime Law. As most ordinary twittizens were delighted to see this act, a few social media experts do disagree saying that hacking websites is not a solution. Whether you agree with what they did or not, the libel-provision of this law should be removed.
To know more about the incident, you may check the following links here, here, here, here, here and here.
The hackers have good taste in their choice of music. XD
We all know that today is the 40th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law (Proclamation No. 1081) placed on the entire country which was proclaimed by former President Ferdinand Marcos. It was simply an Iron Hand with full military power controlled by a single individual (In Tagalog, it was Batas Militar as I recall watching the movie Eskapo back in high school).
Taken from Google
Well apparently some liked it but most were not. Most people who didn't like it were the first one who revolted from the dictatorship. I'll ask my mom if there is anyone from our family (up to the third degree) joined the revolution against Martial Law.
Taken from FHM's website
As far as I can remember, those days were considered the Dark Ages of Philippine History with a lot of killings, missing people never been found among others. I wasn't even born that time when Martial Law was declared not until the turn of the 1980's. And even when I was a little boy, I had no idea what was going on during those time until recently. I may even say I belong to the Martial Law babies as well :D.
Taken from FHM's website
Too bad, I missed this rally held at Mendiola early this morning as I need to go to work.
Moving forward, there is a new Martial Law cooking after the old one which involves millions of netizens after this plagiarism issue on the RH Bill.
Taken from Google
I've been reading a few blogs about the new Cybercrime Law and it may target bloggers who would do cyber-bullying on a certain individual as the libel clause was already added.
So far, thirteen senators voted yes to the Senate Version on Third Reading of the Cybercrime Law (Loren Legarda, Francis Escudero, Gregorio Honasan II, Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, Pia Cayetano, Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Jinggoy Ejercito-Estrada, Panfilo Lacson, Manuel “Lito” Lapid, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Ralph Recto, Vicente Sotto III, Manny Villar), nine has yet to make a vote and only one voted AGAINST it (Teofisto “TG” Guingona: Kudos to you Mr. Senator).
Swabeng Thoughts: This has been done in haste without consulting top technological experts (particularly in the internet and social media). This also violates freedom of expression (same with what Martial Law has done) as I can't imagine our freedom of expression after EDSA revolution may have gone up in smokes. Also Martial Law was passed on the 21st while Cybercrime Law on the 12th. Coincidence? Thank God that Nuffnangers like me still have hope after Country Manager Abe Olandres has already known this issue at hand.
Anyways, to know more about Cybercrime Law, you may check the links from Rappler, Raissa Robles, ABS-CBN News, Inquirer News, and The Official Gazette.
For now, lets expect the worst but do hope for the best.
