Perling Garcia case boosts call for scrapping of cyber law – Casiño

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda may have clarified that anti-mining advocate Esperlita “Perling” Garcia has not been arrested for e-libel, but a lawmaker on Tuesday insisted that the case showed why the new anti-cybercrime law should be junked.

Bayan Muna Partylist Representative Teodoro Casiño on Tuesday said that although Garcia’s “Facebook post cannot be considered libelous by ordinary standards, she is being charged with libel to harass and silence her.”

Garcia was detained overnight for a violation of the Revised Penal Code and was released upon posting a P10,000 bail Friday.

“What more if the anti-cybercrime law takes into effect and institutionalizes online libel in our statutes?” he asked, expressing fears that “more ridiculous charges” may be brought about by posts in social networking websites like Facebook and Twitter and even text messages.

Casiño believes that Republic Act No. 10175 is “a threat to freedom of expression” and is one of the legislators urging to repeal the new law due to its contentious provisions.

Following a slew of petitions, the Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order on the Cybercrime law earlier this month.