Critics Say Its Censorship, But Aquino Assures It Wont Be Used To Suppress Dissent

Critics Say Its Censorship, But Aquino Assures It Wont Be Used To Suppress Dissent

Manila, Philippines President Benigno S. Aquino III yesterday defended the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 that penalizes online libel, saying the public has nothing to fear if they are telling the truth.

The President tried to allay public concerns a day after the Supreme Court ruled that the new laws online libel provision was constitutional.

Critics, however, said the libel provision will result in effective censorship and may be used against those who criticize anti-people policies and corrupt practices of the government.

But Aquino, speaking to reporters after an inspection of a government housing project in Manila, said Republic Act No. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012) will not be used to suppress dissent in the country.

Nothing To Fear

Will freedom of expression be stopped? I dont think that is the purpose of the law, Aquino said in Filipino.

We were taught in school that your rights end when they impinge on the rights of others, he added.

I repeat, if you are telling the truth, why would you fear libel? he added.

But Edre U. Olalia, National Union of Peoples Lawyers (NUPL) secretary general, said: The chilling effect of a Damocles sword for those who are wired basically remains. Any blanket threat of criminal prosecution for online libel tilts the balance for untrammeled state intervention and will practically result in effective censorship, if not timidity or inordinate trepidation.

View original post here:
Critics Say Its Censorship, But Aquino Assures It Wont Be Used To Suppress Dissent