Senator Edgardo Angara
MANILA, Philippines – The Supreme Court might strike down some of the provisions of the controversial Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 but not the entire law, Senator Edgardo Angara said on Monday.
“It may be an extreme prediction,” said Angara, chairman of the Senate committee on science and technology that approved the law, when asked about reports that the law might be declared unconstitutional by the SC.
Ten petitions before the SC have already been filed questioning the constitutionality of the law.
“Some of the provisions might be struck down but not the entire law,” he said.
Despite this, Angara said the law would still be effective against those who are behind “socially destructive actions” such as identity theft, child pornography, hacking, etc.
Angara reiterated that “liking” or “sharing” of potentially libelous content in social networking sites would not constitute online libel.
He said he would file an amendatory bill either this Monday or Tuesday to remove the higher penalty provision on online libel “so everybody will be equal.”
Angara said he would also clarify the power of the Department of Justice to block a website, saying he might require prior judicial authority before blocking or removing it.