Whilist sipping on my drink and smoking, a group of call-center agents began talking about the new implemented Republic Act of the Philippines No. 10175, or better known as the Cybercrime Law. "Bawal na mag-like o mag-share ng mga comments or posts sa Facebook." (You're not allowed to like or share comments or posts on Facebook.) as one of the agents said. "Hindi lang sa Facebook" I said to myself, then... "Shit, I need to write this down!" So here I am now writing this post, sharing my two cents about the Cybercrime Law.
I've been following the developments. I've ignored the news during the onset. A week after it has been approved, it struck a nerve, not just for me, but the whole Filipino community, clamoring for a change in the law, claiming it can lead to abuse and misinterpretation when charged with the provision of the law.
So what's with RA 10175 that's making a fuss with Filipinos?
It's Libel...
Based on my understanding When it was passed as a bill, the stated provisions is intended to punish specifically for prostitution and child pornography cases through electronic media, not limited to computers but ANY form of electronic media. As I have seen from the news in TV, there are actually other laws which supposedly have this provisions which I failed to remember.
From what I heard from the radio, the Bill was revised after the Bi-Cameral proceedings, and that where the Libel Law provision was added. Libel law in the Philippines is a Criminal Case. A convicted person will spend 12 years imprisonment. Aside from that, the provision adds another 2 years imprisonment (which is double-jeopardy).
More information can be found on the Official Gazette of the Office of the President and the House Bill from the Philippine House of Representatives Site (PDF).
So this means that you can be charged of Libel, until you prove that the content you've published through ANY electronic media is not libelous. It's a big pain in the ass, yes. Sadly, even with all the attempts to pospone or amend the bill, it took effect on October 3, 2012.
It was like the EDSA revolution on a virtual world. Series of attacks plagued government websites, people changed their social media accounts changed their pictures with a plain black color, comments are intentionally posted with big black blocks, and others with balls larger than mine just went for plain discriminating the people responsible for enacting the bill (which is a bad idea, as the law is retroactive). Filipinos feel that their freedom of expression has been violated and without regard with the current way of life.
I am personally against the bill, but someone who is a common citizen of the Philippines could not do anything but take $hit. So what am I going to do with the law in place? I'll just adapt and improvise.
Electronic media is just a very convenient tool of expressing our thoughts and opinions which spans across thousands of people within seconds, especially with well known social media service sites. Sharing your is still possible, only that you need the proper avenues and group that you can trust. I think life will not end just because you won't be able to freely express, you would still be able to connect with the people that you care, I think that's what matters the most.
In a brighter (and sarcastic) note, I believe the law actually promotes creativity as you take time to think how you need to share your opinions "online", AND you can stop those pesky persons and organizations sending text messages offering promotions, if you happen to catch them.
It's just the first day of the implementation and I think that it's going to be a "bloody" mess in the next few weeks.
I hope that reading this made a good sleeping aid. I'm just stating the obvious though hahaha!
No comments:
Post a Comment