Another Must Know about the Cybercrime Prevention Act

A Philippine Senator warns the public that an FB like or share may be a ground for libel.

Senator Teofisto Guingona III said this statement amidst the Cybercrime Prevention Act which he finds too vague and broad as it is not clear who could be sued.

He opposes the new law by saying:  “If you click like, you can be sued, and if you share, and continuously re-share information, you can also be sued. Saka sino ang liable? Hindi klaro eh. ‘Yung original na nag-post? ‘Yung nag-share? ‘Yung nag-tweet? Kahit nga ikaw, mag-post ka ng simpleng ‘hehehe’ di ba? Ibig sabihin nu’n, sangayon ka (And who is liable? It isn’t clear. The one who made the original post? The ones who share? The ones who tweet. Even you, if you post a simple, ‘hehehe,’ right? Does that mean you agree)? Are you liable? So, napakalawak eh.”

Describing the law as unconstitutional, Senator Guingona filed a petition to the Supreme Court asking it to declare void “questionable” provisions of the Cybercrime Prevention Act that infringe on freedom of speech and of expression, among these the inclusion of libel among punishable crimes.

According to the senator, the new law also violates the constitutional guarantee for double jeopardy because a person can be sued for both the Cyber Crime Law and the Revised Penal Code.

While Guingona acknowledges the country's need for cyber crime law, he wishes for a review because the law enacted can supress people's rights.

Reference: http://www.interaksyon.com/article/44173/fb-likes-shares-could-be-grounds-for-libel-says-sen--guingona

Posted in: Cyber Crime Law,News,Technology