Press Release
October 2, 2012

STATEMENT OF SEN. GUINGONA ON SC DECISION
TO DEFER HEARING OF PETITIONS ON CYBERCRIME ACT

As the lone opposition to the Republic Act 10175, otherwise known as the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 in the Senate, and one of the petitioners against the law in the Supreme Court, I am disappointed that our justices have deferred the hearing of the petitions to next week.

I respectfully ask the High Tribunal to resolve the issues and act on the petitions immediately to prevent further harm to our cyber users. The implementation of the law tomorrow, October 3 will take back our citizens to the Dark Ages where freedom of speech and expression were not recognized.

Further, I will continue to join our citizens and internet users to continue this fight to ask the Supreme Court for a temporary restraining order (TRO) and to finally repeal some vague and oppressive provisions of the newly-enacted law.

Let me say this once again, the state has no right to gag its citizens and convict them for expressing their thoughts. The Philippines is a democratic country. The Filipinos should never be left to cower in the sidelines -their thoughts and voices should not be shackled by fear and intimidation. The people should not be afraid of its own government.

Yes to freedom of speech and expression!

News Latest News Feed