Anti-cyberlaw bloggers urge de Lima to resign

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima

MANILA, Philippines—A group of bloggers on Tuesday morning urged Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to be true to her form as a human rights activist and resign from the Cabinet in protest of the Cybercrime Prevention law.

Blogger Anthony Ian Cruz of the group Bloggers and Netizens for Democracy (BAND) noted de Lima’s absence from the Department of Justice’ multi-sectoral forum on the law Tuesday morning.

“Being a former chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights, we are certain that Secretary de Lima realizes the negative impact the law has on the most cherished and jealously guarded fundamental rights of citizens under the Constitution,” Cruz said.

“We take note that Secretary De Lima is absent from this much-touted forum. We hope this is an initial step for her to distance herself from the law and the president,” he added.

Cruz said the public would welcome de Lima “with open arms if she flees from being an active defender of cyber martial law.”

“While we can only surmise the unspeakable pressure bearing upon her to implement the law, we believe that Secretary de Lima knows where her heart lies,” Cruz said.

“We, therefore, appeal to Secretary de Lima to make a stand and champion the rights of citizens who stand to be silenced by an unconstitutional law,” he added.

The BAND is composed of the bloggers and netizens who filed the 10th Petition challenging the constitutionality of the Cybercrime Prevention Law before the Supreme Court last week.