MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 29, 2013) – The Philippine Internet Freedom Alliance (PIFA) continues its protest against the Cybercrime Law as the oral arguments resumed at the Supreme Court.
“We hope that the oral arguments will not be postponed today as it was last week. It seems like a delaying tactic until the temporary restraining order is lifted next week, February 6,” Red Tani, PIFA spokesperson, said in a statement sent to the Mindanao.
The Supreme Court gave a temporary restraining order on the the Cybercrime Prevention Act after 15 petitioners, including PIFA, questioned the constitutionality of the law. The petitioners have cited the libel clause and the takedown clause as two provisions of the bill which are not constitutional. Women’s groups have also raised their concerns about the cyber sex provision which they say incriminates more than protects women.
“We will remain vigilant until this law is repealed. We are in mourning for the death of our freedom of expression both online and offline,” Tani added.
At the eve of the oral arguments, Carlos Celdran, a known cultural activist, was found guilty of “offending religious feeling” and is faced with two months to a year of imprisonment. The case was filed by Monsignor Nestor Cerbo of the Manila Cathedral after Celdran staged a protest inside the Manila Cathedral on September 30, 2010 after
“Our freedom to express ourselves is a right. People have risen and fought for this right and we saw in the Martial Law years how much people are willing to fight for it,” Ayeen Karunungan, PIFA spokesperson and leader of the Dakila Artist Collective, said in the same statement.
“Now our fears that our freedom of expression is slowly being killed has come true and the government has proven that they are an instrument to this crime,” Karunungan said.
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