SC issues TRO vs cybercrime law

By YUJI VINCENT B. GONZALES          

           In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court on Tuesday issued a 120-day temporary restraining order (TRO) on the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, setting the oral arguments on Jan. 15 next year.

            The TRO, which stopped for four moths the implementation of the widely protested cybercrime law that took effect last October 3, also called on respondents to comment on the verdict within ten days. Respondents are headed by President Benigno Aquino, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, and Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, among others.

           

            In an Inquirer report, Palace deputy spokesperson Abigail Valte said that “the administration will always respect the legal processes that are issued by the [Supreme Court].”

            Sen. Edgardo Angara, author of the measure and chairman of the Senate committee on science and technology, welcomed the TRO and even called it a “necessary pause.”

            “It will give time to the Supreme Court to study the merit and give also the critics time to re-examine their position,” Angara said.

            The issuance of the resolution coincided with the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) drafting of the law’s implementing rules and regulations which were openly questioned and slammed by various sectors.

            Meanwhile, Sen. Teofisto Guingona III, lone senator who disapproved then bill and fourth of 15 petitioners who questioned its constitutionality in the High Tribunal, said that the TRO is the “first victory of the people and of freedom of expression,” the Inquirer report added.

            The cybercrime law is drawing jeers from the online community, media organizations, lawyers, and other social groups for its libel provisions that supposedly curtail freedom of speech and expression. Most controversial points include double jeopardy, longer penalty than “traditional” libel which can last up to 12 years, and DOJ’s authority to shut down websites which the agency perceive to be malicious.

            “Let me just point out the fact that we need a Cybercrime Prevention Act. Except for certain problematic provisions, this law is necessary. That’s why it is unfortunate that the overly vague and oppressive provision on libel was inserted into the law at the last minute,” said Guingona in his opinion piece published on the Rappler website.

            Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago, in her speech before Adamson University students last Oct. 7, said she expects that the Supreme Court would declare the law as unconstitutional because of its “vague” provisions.

            “Simply repeating things, you made a comment, you liked, you shared, you’re already guilty, because you’re aiding and abetting. You can interpret it that way. That’s why I’m saying it is too vague,” read an Inquirer report.

            Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero, one of the authors of the measure, admitted he oversaw some specific provisions when approved the law and is willing to push them for amendments.

            “I’ll take out the criminal liability but the civil liability provision will be intact, meaning no jail penalty,” Escudero said.

            House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, on the other hand, said in another Inquirer report that he quite expected the latest turnout of events—senators who signed the law and now seeking for amendments—as majority of them are re-electionists.

            “They should have been awake when the bill was being discussed so they would have known [the implications] and they should have foreseen [them],” Belmonte said in the report, describing RA 10175 as a “terrific law” that must be “[given] a chance to work,” as he cited other provisions.

            The law faced heavy opposition from the cyberworld as netizens changed their Facebook profile pictures to black images, shared photos and status updates in protest of the measure to the extent of calling it “e-martial law,” and using Twitter hashtags like “#NoToCyberCrimeLaw, #FreedomOfSpeech, and #BlackTuesday.”

           

            Over the past few weeks, hackers who call themselves as members of “Anonymous Philippines” have been defacing government websites, which include Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Senate, and Official Gazette, in protest of the cybercrime law which they called as “the most notorious act ever witnessed in the cyberhistory of the Philippines.”

            ““We have won the battle. A TRO has been issued but the war has just begun. We won't stop until it is junked,” a supporter of the Anonymous tweeted.

SWS surveys: Filipinos satisfied with PNoy’s performance

Data from Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed that Filipinos were generally satisfied with President Benigno Aquino III’s performance from the onset of his incumbency in 2010 to the third quarter of this year, with ratings falling mostly under the “very good” (+50 to +69) and “good” (+30 to +49) marks.

Ratings never lower than ‘good’

In the second quarter of 2010, a survey on public trust to the then newly elected President found a very good net trust rating of +83, with 88% of adult Filipinos having much trust and 4% having little trust on the President.

The net trust rating is the difference of the percentage of those had much trust with those who had little trust.

His first net satisfaction rating, for the third quarter of 2010, was a very good rating +60, with 71% satisfied and 11% dissatisfied adult Filipinos, which increased to a still very good rating +64 (74% satisfied and 10% dissatisfied) in the fourth quarter of the same year.

The net satisfaction rating is obtained by subtracting the percentage of the dissatisfied from the satisfied respondents.

The first decrease on his net satisfaction rating was in the first quarter of 2011, when survey results found 69% adult Filipinos satisfied and 18% dissatisfied with the President’s performance, leading to a net rating of +51 still a very good.

The said survey, conducted from March 4-7 2011, showed that 48% of the Filipino respondents thought that the President’s purchase of brand new Porsche was “not a good example.”

Aquino’s net satisfaction ratings sustained another decrease in the second quarter of 2011, his first good net rating - +46, with 64% of Filipinos satisfied and 18% dissatisfied.

Ratings increased during the third and fourth quarters of 2011, with very good net satisfaction ratings of +56 (70% satisfied and 14% dissatisfied), and +58 (71% satisfied and 13% dissatisfied).

In the first quarter of 2012, however, Aquino’s net satisfaction rating fell to +49, under the good mark, with 68% satisfied and 19% dissatisfied with his work. Likewise, in the second quarter of 2012, ratings decreased by seven points, resulting to a +42 good satisfaction rating, with 63% satisfied and 21% dissatisfied respondents.

The latest survey, conducted from August 24 to 27, revealed 77% satisfied and 10% dissatisfied with PNoy’s performance, leading to a record-high net satisfaction rating of +67, under the very good mark.

In the years of his incumbency, net satisfaction ratings of the President according to SWS surveys fall under +42 to last quarter’s +67, never lower than good.

Surveys are conducted quarterly, for three days, by face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adults in Metro Manila, the Balance of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. According to the SWS website, surveys are non-commissioned, are conducted as a form of public service, and first publishing rights are assigned to Business World.

Highest ratings in Visayas, lowest in Metro Manila

                The survey on public trust conducted on June 2010 found Visayas with the highest net trust rating of +87, falling under the mark of excellent. Trust ratings in Balance Luzon, Metro Manila and Mindanao also fall under excellent, with ratings of +84, +84, and +79 respectively.

                In the quarters that followed, satisfaction ratings in the said areas mostly fell under the very good and good mark, except for a moderate rating of +18 in Metro Manila during the second quarter of this year, with 48% satisfied and 30% dissatisfied respondents.

                During the third quarter of 2010, all areas had a very good net satisfaction rating (+64 in Luzon, +54 in Visayas, +52 in Mindanao, and +66 in Metro Manila), and it remained very good the quarter that followed, noting increases in all areas except for a seven point decrease in Metro Manila.

                The over-all decrease in the net satisfaction ratings of Aquino during the first quarter of 2011 could be attributed to ratings from Luzon, Mindanao and Metro Manila. From a +69 rating in the previous quarter, it dropped to +48 in Luzon, falling under the good mark. Only Visayas sustained a four-point increase, from +56 to +60, while Mindanao and Metro Manila ratings decreased, from +65 to +55 and from +59 to +41, respectively, although both still termed very good.

                During the second quarter of 2011, ratings in Luzon and Visayas decreased, while ratings in Mindanao and Metro Manila obtained a minimal increase. Metro Manila (with a +43 net satisfaction rating), and Luzon (+41) fell under the good mark, while Visayas (+51) and Mindanao (+54) stayed on the very good mark, although the former sustained a nine point drop from the previous quarter.

                Data found in the survey conducted during the third quarter of 2011 showed not much change, with Luzon and Metro Manila still having good satisfaction ratings (+41 and +43, respectively) and Visayas and Mindanao having very good marks (+52 and +55). In the fourth quarter of 2012, Metro Manila had a +54 net satisfaction rating, falling under the very good mark, similar to the other areas.

                In March 2012, Aquino’s net satisfaction ratings in Metro Manila (+52), Visayas (+50) and Mindanao (+53) remained very good, although they dropped considerably compared to the previous quarter. In Luzon, ratings dropped by 15 points, which resulted in a good rating of +45.

                Ratings continued to drop in the second quarter of this year. Only ratings in Mindanao, which increased by 8 points to +61 remained in the very good mark. Metro Manila experienced a 34-point drop to +18, landing on the moderate mark.

                Significant increases in net satisfaction ratings in the areas contributed to a high-time record of +67 overall net satisfaction rating for August. Visayas, Ratings in the Visayas rose to an excellent +76, while Balance Luzon had a 29-point increase, which led to a +70 excellent rating of Aquino’s performance. Very good ratings of +59 (a 41-point increase) and +61 were found in Metro Manila and Mindanao, respectively.

                

               

Cayetano: We can amend CPA in no time

By: Jan Eidrienne De Luis

With calls to hastily amend the contested Cybercrime Prevention Act despite the imminent session break of Congress, Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano also suggested the creation programs that would provide free computers and internet access in barangays, schools and public centers.

“Not only should this law be amended as soon as possible, we have to bring in more creativity in coming up with programs that will really promote the use of this technology,” he said in a press statement released last October 11.

Cayetano reiterated that amidst the speeding turmoil on the Cybercrime Prevention Act the government should act very quickly like the Internet.

“Let’s show them that we can amend this law (Cybercrime Prevention Act) even in just a short span of time,” he said.

The senator also acknowledged the activism of netizens (Internet Citizens) toward the oppugned Cybercrime Prevention Act and said that the government should see it as a “good thing.”

“If you look at the statistics only 1/3 of our people really have access to the Internet and to computers. So, why not increase the numbers by starting programs that would supply free computer and internet access to barangays, schools and public centers?” Cayetano said underscoring the strong participation of the public in the nationwide uproar regarding the challenged measure.

“So, let us stop with the view that it’s the government against the people,” the senator said. “And instead push for ensuring that we should be a government for the people.” 

Tutuban fire ceases after 2 days

By: Mikaela Sarthou, Marleen Peroz and Jaswinder Singh

The fire that devoured Tutuban Mall Cluster I building in Divisoria, Manila finally ceased after two days, a firefighter who asked not to be named confirmed Saturday.

He added that their team still needs to overhaul the area for several days to avoid re-ignition.

“Gaya ng nakikita niyo, ‘yung building umuusok pa, [kapag hindi na-monitor] mag-iignite ulit ‘yun at mag-aapoy ulit,” the firefighter said.

The fire started at around 12:30 A.M. of September 5 after the ‘Night Market’ packed out their stalls.

The firefighter also said that the cause of the fire is still to be determined, as the investigators still cannot enter the building as of date posted. The estimated cost of damage is also yet to be assessed.

The firefighter reported that, according to their source, the fire started on the ground floor of the building. Stalls in Cluster I mainly sold textiles, gowns and clothes.

“’Yung mga ganyang establishment kasi, kulob ‘yan eh, so di nakakalabas ang usok [at] init. So mahirap mag-penitrate at kailangan ng breathing apparatus para makapasok,” said the Tutuban Fire
Brigade firefighter.

Several injuries were reported, all of which are volunteer firefighters who incurred head and hand injuries.

Possibilities of arson?

Hearsays are spreading among stall owners and employees that the fire was intentional.

Albert dela Cruz, a stall owner in Tayuman Cluster II, said he has an assumption that the fire was planned, as the vendors refused to renew their contracts due to high cost. The contracts will be terminated on October 2013.

A vendor, who also asked not to be named, outside the Tutuban Cluster I building said that they were prohibited to stay there for three days.

A group of salesladies waiting outside the building for further announcements from the Tutuban administration on Saturday also echoed the rumour.

They, too, believed that the rumour regarding the intentional arson is true.

One of the salesladies added that every stall has a metal roll-down shutter so it is impossible for the fire spread widely. Furthermore, she explained that they close it every time they are done for the day so there is no way that the fire could have started in the area.

The salesladies also said they are about to transfer from Tutuban to 999 Mall because of expensive rent. The fire’s time of occurrence, which was midnight, also prevented them from saving any of their merchandise. They added that they want to go inside the building to search for products that are still saleable.

The Tutuban administration refused to comment on the issue.

Tutuball mall is in the Divisoria district. This year, the administration announced an expansion of the mall that will include a mini zoo, terminals and other developments.

Aquino unveils “powerhouse” senatorial slate

By: Iza Maria Gonzalez

It is not the usual clash of parties that opened the 2013 senatorial elections, but a “powerhouse” coalition of six different parties and three independents, unified by a common goal – to convey President Benigno Aquino III’s social agenda to the Senate. 

President Aquino officially announced on Monday the LP-AKBAYAN-NPC-NP-LDP-NDC coalition senatorial candidates – the administration’s senatorial slate, in a proclamation rally in Club Filipino, San Juan.

 LP stands for Liberal Party, NPC for National People’s Coalition, NP for Nacionalista Party, LDP for Laban Demokratikong Pilipino, and NUP for National Unity Party.

 The liberal Party said in a statement that track records and a “commitment to push for the legislative component of PNoy’s social contract with the Filipino people” are among the chief considerations in inviting candidates to the senatorial slate.

“More than popularity, the LP-Akbayan-NPC-NP-LDP-NUP coalition senatorial slate is born of a shared set of principles. The slate represents those who have helped in the advancement of the President’s agenda and those who are committed to support his programs of government,” the party added.

Comprising the powerhouse line-up are former Senators Ramon Magsaysay Jr., and Jamby Madrigal; Senators Loren Legarda, Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, and “Antonio Trillanes IV.

Also included were Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV – the youngest, and also the first candidate introduced by the President; former Akbayan Representative Risa Hontiveros; former Las Piñas Representative Cynthia Villar, wife of Senator Manuel Villar; Aurora Representative Juan Edgardo Angara; and MTRCB Chair Grace Poe-Llamanzares, daughter of the 2004 presidential candidate, the late Fernando Poe Jr. Senator Alan Peter Cayetano said in a press release that the coalition is not for “political convenience,” rather a union based on a common concept of reform, and on good governance.

“We're comfortable with this coalition because in the last two years, we've seen the action in response to the call of the President for good governance, transparency and accountability. The difference of opinion or other minor things matters little because we've agreed on the majority of the policies,” he added.

 The President also said during the proclamation that the administration’s senatorial slate will echo his reform vision, and he further emphasized the importance of having allies that would push his legislative agenda to the Senate.

 “This I assure you: The 12 candidates being offered by this coalition will help harvest the fruits of reforms we have laid down the last two years, three months and one day. They promise us that they will not steal. They will expedite the pace of change that we’re enjoying, and they will not betray your trust. You—the people—are the Boss,” Mr. Aquino added.

# Sources: http://www.liberalparty.org.ph/LP2012/NEWS/Entries/2012/10/1_UNION_OF_PRINCIPLES_MARKS_LP-AKBAYAN-NPC-NP-LDP-NUP_COALITION.html http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/281014/aquino-leads-launch-of-administration-coalition http://senate.gov.ph/press_release/2012/1001_cayetanoa2.asp

SC Junks Delfin Lee’s Petition

By: Pauline Francisco

The Supreme Court denied the petition of fugitive real estate developer Delfin Lee over the alleged P6.5 billion anomalous loans that his company, Globe Asiatique, acquired from the government for a housing project in Pampanga province.

The court’s resolution, signed by division clerk of court Lucita Abjelina-Soriano and received by the Department of Justice (DOJ) last Friday, denies Lee’s request for the issuance of a temporary restraining order and/or writ of preliminary injunction.

 The Supreme Court repudiated Lee’s petition “for failure to show any reversible error in the challenged decision as to warrant the exercise of the Court’s discretionary appellate jurisdiction”.

 The SC also faulted Lee’s violation of the rules of civil procedure in failing to produce the required number of copies of his petition.

 The discharge of the appeal eliminated hindrance in the case filed by the government against Lee and his co-accused before the Pampanga regional trial court.

“Having run out of legal options or remedies, Mr. Lee should now face the music and come out of hiding. He should not further strain the government’s resources by his continued evasion of a duly issued warrant of arrest,” Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said in a statement to the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Because of the suspicious Xevera housing project in Mabalacat and Bacolor in Pampanga, Lee’s Globe Asiatique is accused of using “ghost borrowers” and fake documents to obtain more than P6.5 billion in loans from the Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-Ibig Fund.

Pampanga Judge Ma. Amifaith Fider-Reyes issued a warrant of arrest on May 22, 2012 on Lee, along with Dexter Lee, Christina Sagun, Cristina Salagan and lawyer Alex Alvarez Lee has escaped possible arrest and remains fugitive.

The government has offered a P2-million reward on any information that may lead to Lee’s arrest.

House and Speaker get higher approval ratings

By: Maria Laarni Mallari

In the latest Pulse Asia Survey conducted last August 31 to September 7, House of Representatives garnered an increase in its approval rating of 51% or +6 from its 45% in the survey conducted on May while the chambers disapproval rating of 9% shows a decrease from last May’s 15%.

The survey also showed improved trust on House Speaker Sonny Belmonte, whose trust rating rose to 36% from 29 % in May, and a drop distrust rating to 14 % from May’s 20%. The speaker’s approval ratings also increased 38% from 37% last may while his disapproval rating dropped to 15% from 19% on last May’s survey.

Belmonte also showed a high awareness rating of 89%.

Pulse Asia’s positive ratings reflected the result of the survey of Social Weather Station   (SWS) conducted on August 24 to 27. According to the survey, the House garnered a “public satisfaction rating also rose to 55 percent from 50 percent last May while its dissatisfaction rating dropped to 14 percent from 21 percent last May.”

The speaker also got an increase in his satisfaction rating of 40% from 36% percent n May while there is a decrease in the dissatisfaction rating of 20% from May’s 28%

Deputy Speaker and Zambonga City Rep. Ma. Isabelle Climaco says, “The higher ratings reflect the hard work and diligence of House members and the competent leadership of the Speaker, which are being acknowledged by the people through higher survey marks.”

"This should push us to work harder to complete our remaining agenda and priority reforms for the welfare of the people. Instead of celebrating, we should work harder to complete everything during the remaining months of the 15th Congress," Climaco added.

Bayan Muna Party-list Representative Neri Colmenares said that the hig rating just proves that the public appreciates the House’s “pro-people stance” on many issues.

"Speaker Belmonte and our colleagues have proven the House of Representatives is indeed the House of the people because our main thrust is to address the needs of our constituents and institute all the necessary socio-economic reforms in our society,” said Colmenares, a Vice Chairman of the Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms. 

Manila New Car Theft Capital

By: Trish Lameyra

Manila, the country’s seat of power, has taken the tag “car theft capital” of the Philippines from Quezon City, Highway Patrol Group (HPG) said Tuesday, October 1.

According to HPG spokesperson Superintendent Edwin Butacan, Manila was recorded to have the most car theft cases among any other areas in the metropolis since February of this year.

“That has been the trend since February. Manila now tops the list of areas where car theft cases are rampant,” Butacan stated in a news briefing at Camp Crame.

Butacan said that in August alone, the city has noted 19 stolen vehicles compared to nine in Quezon City.

The HPG recorded 50 car thefts during the same month accounting to a 60% decrease in last year’s record of 127 stolen vehicles.

Of the 50 missing vehicles, 26 were motorcycles, while the others were Mitsubishi Montero, Nissan Urvan, Toyota Vios and Toyota Grandia.

“That’s because motorcycles are easy to steal. At the same time, it’s also difficult to recover stolen motorcycles,” Butacan added.

The former HPG director Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina, now the director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) helped the police curb operations of car theft syndicates with his mandate to deploy more patrol units to Quezon City, Butacan added.

Butacan concluded that the number of car theft cases could be lessened if the HPG police operations focus more on a specific area.

Government Websites Attacked by ‘Hactivists’

by Kathryna de Bustos

Manila, Philippines – Government-run websites were seized by a group who called themselves ‘Anonymous Philippines’ in a series of hacking events as a protest against the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

 The first wave last September 26, 2012 targeted the websites of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc. (AMCHAM), the Pilipinas Anti-Piracy Team (PAPT), Department of Health: Smoke-Free Philippines (DOH) and the Institute for Development and Econometric Analysis (IDEA).

A black background with a header that contained an icon of a person in a suit which instead of having a head was substituted by a question mark; the original contents of the websites were replaced by the petition of the group to revise the said Bill.

The song “Freedom” by Rage Against the Machine played in the background. The BSP website was restored back to normal by 2 a.m. the following morning.

The defaced websites in the second wave last October 1, 2012 also donned black backgrounds but this time the header contained a red picture that had the word ‘seized’ written across it.

The group’s message still flashed on the screen stated that “The Philippine Government has just passed a bill that effectively ends the Freedom of Expression in the Philippines.” The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and the Food Development Center sites were sabotaged by the same group who claimed responsibility for last week’s attacks.

Also known as PrivateX, the group called the day ‘Bloody Monday’ and threatened to deface more sites associated with the GOV.PH domain. The message across the defaced websites also asserts that “The Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 is the most notorious act ever witnessed in the cyber-history of the Philippines, and the language of the bill is cunningly designed to make you think that it only applies to individuals who are deep in cyber technology and doesn’t apply to everyone, but some part of the bill basically says it can imprison anyone who commits libel either by written messages, comments, blogs, or posts in sites such as Facebook, Twitter, or any other comment spaces of other social media in the Internet.”

The second wave also attacked government websites like the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI), the Optical Media Board (OMB), the Maritime Industry Authority, the Maritime Training Council (MTC), the Intellectual Property office of the Philippines (IPOPHIL), and Agusan del Sur’s local website.

The title of the law is “AN ACT DEFINING CYBERCRIME, PROVIDING FOR THE PREVENTION, INVESTIGATION, SUPPRESSION AND THE IMPOSITION OF PENALTIES THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.”

 In an article from the Inquirer, one hacktivist stated that the “Challenge Accepted; If speaking up against idiocy in government and unconstitutional amendments is a crime, then I am PROUD TO BE A CYBER CRIMINAL.”

“We are anonymous. We are Legion. United as one. Divided by none,” the hacktivist said.

“The corrupt fear us. The honest support us. The heroic join us. Expect us.”

source: http://technology.inquirer.net/17256/govt-other-ph-websites-vandalized-by-hackers-more-attacks-threatened http://technology.inquirer.net/17554/3-more-ph-sites-hacked-monday

Government Websites Attacked by ‘Hactivists’

by Kathryna de Bustos


Manila, Philippines – Government-run websites were seized by a group who called themselves ‘Anonymous Philippines’ in a series of hacking events as a protest against the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

 The first wave last September 26, 2012 targeted the websites of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc. (AMCHAM), the Pilipinas Anti-Piracy Team (PAPT), Department of Health: Smoke-Free Philippines (DOH) and the Institute for Development and Econometric Analysis (IDEA).

 A black background with a header that contained an icon of a person in a suit which instead of having a head was substituted by a question mark; the original contents of the websites were replaced by the petition of the group to revise the said Bill.

The song “Freedom” by Rage Against the Machine played in the background.

 The BSP website was restored back to normal by 2 a.m. the following morning. The defaced websites in the second wave last October 1, 2012 also donned black backgrounds but this time the header contained a red picture that had the word ‘seized’ written across it.

 The group’s message still flashed on the screen stated that “The Philippine Government has just passed a bill that effectively ends the Freedom of Expression in the Philippines.”

 The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and the Food Development Center sites were sabotaged by the same group who claimed responsibility for last week’s attacks.

Also known as PrivateX, the group called the day ‘Bloody Monday’ and threatened to deface more sites associated with the GOV.PH domain.

The message across the defaced websites also asserts that “The Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 is the most notorious act ever witnessed in the cyber-history of the Philippines, and the language of the bill is cunningly designed to make you think that it only applies to individuals who are deep in cyber technology and doesn’t apply to everyone, but some part of the bill basically says it can imprison anyone who commits libel either by written messages, comments, blogs, or posts in sites such as Facebook, Twitter, or any other comment spaces of other social media in the Internet.”

 The second wave also attacked government websites like the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI), the Optical Media Board (OMB), the Maritime Industry Authority, the Maritime Training Council (MTC), the Intellectual Property office of the Philippines (IPOPHIL), and Agusan del Sur’s local website. The title of the law is “AN ACT DEFINING CYBERCRIME, PROVIDING FOR THE PREVENTION, INVESTIGATION, SUPPRESSION AND THE IMPOSITION OF PENALTIES THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.”

 In an article from the Inquirer, one hacktivist stated that the “Challenge Accepted; If speaking up against idiocy in government and unconstitutional amendments is a crime, then I am PROUD TO BE A CYBER CRIMINAL.”

 “We are anonymous. We are Legion. United as one. Divided by none,” the hacktivist said. “The corrupt fear us. The honest support us. The heroic join us. Expect us.”


source: - http://technology.inquirer.net/17256/govt-other-ph-websites-vandalized-by-hackers-more-attacks-threatened http://technology.inquirer.net/17554/3-more-ph-sites-hacked-monday

COMELEC: Media absentee voting expected to be approved before election

by Carla Jean Casibang


Commission on Elections (Comelec) stayed positive that the media absentee voting policy will be approved anytime soon.

 “The ideological source of media absentee voting is the existing law regarding the absentee voting for government officials. It mandates that the government officials who have an election duty, be given the privilege to vote ahead of everyone else. It is available among the militaries and civil service employees who have work on the day of elections. The existing law cannot be extended among the members of the media, who likewise do not have time to vote due to their work. There is no law as of yet, thus we are still hoping and we are positive that the bill will push thru.” Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said.

Authored by Senator Manny Villar, the bill is the counterpart of House Bill 4241, which was sent to the senate in August last year.

The House version allows a qualified media person to vote within 14 working days prior an election.

The Senate counted a total of 29 amendments to the original bill. Earlier, Senator Koko Pimentel supported the passage of the Senate Bill 1198, to give the privilege of early voting among the members of the media, including the technical and support staff.

 Pimentel identified the requirements for absentee voting as follows: 1) that said members of media are duly registered as voters; 2) must be accredited by the Commission on Election as recommended by their media outfit; and 3) that they may vote on the days fixed by the Comelec and in the city or municipality where their media outfit has established as its main or satellite office.

"The requirements should serve as a timely reminder that not all individuals who claim that they are media practitioners will automatically enjoy the right to vote as ordained in this bill," said Pimentel, chairperson of the committee on electoral reforms and people's participation.

Comelec is now plotting the rules and regulations to be imposed on the privilege to ensure the efficiency of the policy.

 Jimenez said on Monday that the bill, currently pending before the senate, is now on its final reading and expected to be implemented before elections in 2013.

Legarda accepts PNoy senatorial slate

By: Christopher Emmanuel M. Tigno

Senatorial candidate Loren Legarda has accepted President Benigno Aquino’s invitation to be a part of the Liberal Party/National People’s Coalition/Nacionalista Party coalition in the midterm elections.

“I am accepting the personal invitation of the President to be part of the LP coalition as the NPC nominee in the slate because of the need for principled cooperation among leaders,” Legarda said. “The present administration, in the next three years, has the capacity to achieve the development gains that the people deserve… I trust that this cooperation will allow us to advance our shared advocacies with a sense of urgency,” she added.

The LP and NPC, Legarda’s party since 2007, signed a partnership agreement. Loren has also been adopted by the UNA as a guest candidate earlier.

“My loyalty is to the people who entrust their future to me, which are the biggest responsibility I bear and I want to fulfill every day,” Legarda said.

“At the end of the day, I will be judged based on my track record, not so much on the political affiliation especially in a multiparty system like ours. It’s not about me… this election is about the people and their deliverance from poverty, corruption, and disasters.”

On the filing of her Certificate of Candidacy for the 2013 elections, Legarda said that she will focus on her green advocacy in her senatorial bid.

“I will continue to spearhead tree-growing activities, disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation workshops for local leaders and stakeholders, information and education campaign for the youth and green job fairs,” Legarda stressed.

Legarda has championed in the passage of laws and promotion of environment advocacies, including the 

Solid Waste Management Law, Clean Air Act, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act and Climate Change Act. She also pushed for bills concerning women and children such as the Anti-Violence against Women and Children Act, Magna Carta of Women, Anti-Child Labor Law, and Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act.

Act Protecting Cellphone Users filed in the Congress

By: Maria Laarni Mallari and Jaswinder Singh

Under House Bill 6467, by Representative Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito seeks to “establish minimum quality standards for wireless telephone service.”

The bill aims to make sure that the telecommunication companies would give their subscribers good quality of connection and reception, especially on postpaid plan holders.

In the bill, he cited Article II, Section 24 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, which states the importance of proper communication in nation building.

"With the advent of mobile and cellular phones in the early 1980s, people made and received telephone calls without being tied to a specific location,” Ejercito said. “This technological innovation made all transactions easy, faster and affordable,"

Ejercito believes that cellular phones are now becoming a necessity, but telephone companies fail to meet the proper services intended for the users. “Cellular phone companies have failed to cope with the increasing demand for cellular phone services,” Ejercito said.

In addition he said that cellular phone companies have been unsuccessful in handling the growing number of demand for phone services. NTC have received so much complaint on lowly and occasionally deceitful services from these companies.

Under the bill, National Telecommunication Commission (NTC) is required to create a system that will make it easier for subscribers to send their complaints. The commission is also tasked to publicize the complaint system.

Representative of the lone district of San Juan also asked NTC to maintain a toll-free number for the wireless phone subscribers.

NTC was also required to create a database system where they will record all the complaints of the subscribers. The bill also mandates telecommunication companies to present to the congress; every six months, a report on the complaints they received and how many times a complaint is received.

Some of the common complaints in the cellular phone subscribers are dead spots, dropped calls, network busy signals, and improper billing practices

It can be remembered that in 2009, Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile expressed his disappointment on his lost prepaid load. Similar complaints were also filed by Senator Chiz Escudero, Senator Joker Arroyo and then Senator Richard Gordon.

Act Protecting Cellphone Users filed in the Congress

By: Maria Laarni Mallari and Jaswinder Singh

Under House Bill 6467, by Representative Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito seeks to “establish minimum quality standards for wireless telephone service.”

The bill aims to make sure that the telecommunication companies would give their subscribers good quality of connection and reception, especially on postpaid plan holders.

In the bill, he cited Article II, Section 24 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, which states the importance of proper communication in nation building.

"With the advent of mobile and cellular phones in the early 1980s, people made and received telephone calls without being tied to a specific location,” Ejercito said. “This technological innovation made all transactions easy, faster and affordable,"

Ejercito believes that cellular phones are now becoming a necessity, but telephone companies fail to meet the proper services intended for the users. “Cellular phone companies have failed to cope with the increasing demand for cellular phone services,” Ejercito said.

In addition he said that cellular phone companies have been unsuccessful in handling the growing number of demand for phone services. NTC have received so much complaint on lowly and occasionally deceitful services from these companies.

Under the bill, National Telecommunication Commission (NTC) is required to create a system that will make it easier for subscribers to send their complaints. The commission is also tasked to publicize the complaint system.

Representative of the lone district of San Juan also asked NTC to maintain a toll-free number for the wireless phone subscribers.

NTC was also required to create a database system where they will record all the complaints of the subscribers. The bill also mandates telecommunication companies to present to the congress; every six months, a report on the complaints they received and how many times a complaint is received.

Some of the common complaints in the cellular phone subscribers are dead spots, dropped calls, network busy signals, and improper billing practices

It can be remembered that in 2009, Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile expressed his disappointment on his lost prepaid load. Similar complaints were also filed by Senator Chiz Escudero, Senator Joker Arroyo and then Senator Richard Gordon.

More OFWs given right to vote

By: Maria Laarni Mallari

With the aim to give more Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) a chance to vote, the House of Representatives approved for a final reading a “bill amending Republic Act 9189” or thr Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003.

Lone district of Dasmarinas City Repreentative Elpidio Barzaga Jr., Chairman of the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms, says that the ill aims to make registration for absentee voting more accessible to OFWs by “setting up field and mobile registration centers.”

Second District of Bohol Representative Erico Aumentado, author of House Bill 3966, said the bill would expand the coverage of RA 9189 by allowing OFWs to vote not only in national elections but also in all “national referenda and plebiscites.”

Akbayan Party-list Representative Walden Bello (Party-list, Akbayan), another author of the bill, said the bill would allow OFWs who have dual citizenship to vote without renouncing their allegiance to the other country.

"The measure shall be more effective, far reaching and voter friendly to overseas Filipinos," Bello said.

According o the bill, Comelec will be mandated to explore more efficient and secure systems for the registration and the actual election.

Aumentado also said that there are at least 3.6 million qualified voters overseas. "Out of this figure, 589,830 were registered voters while only 153,323 actually voted, broken down as follows: 39,564 voted by mail, 64,743 voted manually or in person and 49,016 voted through automation."

"The present law provides for the voting by mail to only three countries. This limitation effectively disenfranchises many OFWs abroad," Aumentado added.

The bill also aims to expand the three modes of voting personal voting, voting by mail and any other means allowed by “Section 52(1) of Batas Pambansa 881 as amended on the Omnibus Election Code.”

According to the bill, pre-departure registration shall be conducted in the governemtn offices determined b the Comelec.

Barzaga says, “Overseas Filipino workers may file their application personally at any post or at designated registration centers in the Philippines approved by the COMELEC and shall submit themselves for live capture of their biometrics.”

Pinoy named Pandaca Comelec Comissioner

by Micah Lucero

President Benigno Aquino III appointed Grace Pandaca as the new Comelec Commissioner, last October 2.

Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda confirmed that he verified the papers concerning the appointment of Padaca through the office of the Executive Secretary. Comelec Cnommissioner Sixto Brillantes welcomed and praised Pandaca for her good governance as a governor of Isabela province.

Pandaca, however, still has to answer possible questions on her appointment on the confirmation hearing headed by the Commission on Appointments.

She will take over the position vacated last April by Augusto Lagman. The latter was not reappointed after the Commission on Appointments blocked it.

In line with this, the President sent a letter to the Commission on Appointments that he would highly appreciate the confirmation of Pandaca’s apointment.

Pandaca lost against Governor Faustino Dy III last 2010 elections. However, Brillantes pointed out that this can be a good spot for argumentation because the previously mentioned election was the latest, and the constitution says, “One must not have been candidates for any elective positions in immediately preceding elections.”

Pandaca was a broadcaster in Isabela province before entering politics. Since 2004, she led as Isabela Province as its governor. Also, she is a co-founder of Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governace and Ethical Leadership; with the former Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo, and then Pampanga Governor Ed Panlilio.

Moreover, Pandaca already won four awards- Ramon Magsaysay Awards for Government Service, Us Department of State Woman of Courage Award, Benigno Aquino Jr. Fellowships for Professional Development Award and the First CEO Excel Award, for her “untarnished integrity and her impeccable record in public service.”

Screening of party-lists almost done

By Paula Bianca Arriola

Commission on Elections (Comelec) said yesterday that the final list of accredited party-list organizations will come out by the end of October.

 According to Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes, about 290 party-lists have applied for the 2013 midterm elections.

However, only 150 to 200 applicants will be given accreditation. Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez said in an interview that the process of selection will include the track record of the party-list, exact record of what or who it represents, and if it really represents the “marginalized sector.”

 “There are two basic requirements for a party-list organization [who will run for the 2013 polls]. First, you have to represent a marginalized sector.

And second, you must show that you’re actually doing something for this marginalized sector.” Jimenez said.

 He also added that the registration of party-list organizations ended on March 31 this year, and they filed their Manifestation of Intent to Participate on May 31.

Comelec has not yet released the partial list of accredited party-list organizations, but Jimenez disclosed that the committee-in-charge of the screening has denied more than 40 groups already.

 He added that aside from the new applicants, existing party-lists are being assessed well by the screening body. Currently, there are 165 new applicants and 125 existing party-lists.

Chiz slams smear campaign

By: Christopher Emmanuel Tigno

Senator Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero reacted on a smear campaign launched against him that coincided with his reelection bid in the Senate next year last October 3.

“It has become evident that there are some people who wish to destroy my name and character. A smear campaign appears to be underway to malign me,” Escudero said. “Even before I filed my certificate of candidacy, I have already received reports of such mudslinging.”

The senator said that he had been informed by the members of the media that text messages have been circulating containing allegations that he intends to pass a bill that would reduce the salaries of government workers.

“There is no such bill. It is really disappointing how those behind this smear campaigns can conduct such black propaganda, disappointing because it insults me but, more importantly, insults the Filipino people. Maliwanag na napakaliit ng tingin at kawalang ng paggalang sa mga botante natin ang ganyang kababawan,” the senator said.

The senator had earlier filed and pushed for Senate Bill 2106, titled “An Act to Grant Monthly Pension to Government Retirees under RA 161 Who Have Reached the Age of Seventy Years”, which provide benefaction to government pensioners.

“The mudslinging and misinformation are part of election fever, I suppose, which makes it all the more disappointing. This is one of the things we hope to change, this kind of politics. There is no room for it in a 

reformed political environment,” he added.

The senator filed his certificate of candidacy on Tuesday at the Commission on Elections office as an independent candidate but was adopted as guest candidate by both the Liberal Party and United Nationalist Alliance coalitions.

Escudero topped and placed second in the most recent surveys on senatorial candidates conducted by the Social Weather Station and Pulse Asia respectively.

“I have served as congressman and senator since 1998. I should be used to this campaigning by now but I am not. It’s just further proof that the task of change and reform is still a work in progress and that we should not let down our guard against traditional politics and corruption,” Escudero said.