MANILA, Philippines - On line libel in the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 (Republic Act Number 10175) isn't relative to an Us (UN) treaty that covers civil and political rights, a media law expert told the Senate Monday.
Lawyer Gilbert Andres of Media Defense Southeast Asia said throughout a Senate hearing reviewing the anti-cybercrime law that on line libel can be an “outright defiance of UN human rights committee’s view. ”
That he cited article 19 covering freedom of expression of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) that the Philippines signed on December 19, 1966 and ratified on October 23, 1986.
Paragraphs of this article state: “1. Every one shall have the proper to carry opinions without interference” and “2. Every one shall have the proper to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to get, receive and impart information and some ideas of most kinds, no matter frontiers, either orally, on paper or on the net, by means of art, or through any media of his choice. ”
“Prior to the cybercrime law, the Philippines was cited by the UN for maybe not interfering with the web, ” Andres said.
That he said that the UN has recognized the “global and open nature of the Internet” and that Sections 4(c)(4), 5, 6, and 7 “squarely contradict the worldwide nature of the Internet” and bring a “chilling effect” on people.
Engineer Pierre Tito Galla, Co-Founder of Democracy. net. ph, also known as for the repeal of libel provisions saying that “our rights on line are our rights offline. ”
Bloggers and student groups were also within the hearing headed by Senator Ralph Recto, Chairman of Committee of Science and Technology, to voice out their side on the anti-cybercrime law.
