House panel okays anti-cybercrime bill
May 31, 2011
MANILA, Philippines – The House committee on communications and information technology has approved an anti-cybercrime bill, which aims to protect individuals and institutions from cyber attacks.
The panel, chaired by Taguig City Rep. Sigfrido Tinga, also rejected last-minute proposals from law enforcement agencies, particularly the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), to remove the legal requirement of a court warrant before telecommunication firms disclose data on the mobile phone usage of subscribers.
Approved was House Bill 383 or the “Cybercrime Prevention Act,” principally authored by former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, which seeks to criminalize the use of the Internet for illegal activities.
Co-authors include her son, Camarines Sur Rep. Diosdado Arroyo, Tarlac Rep. Susan Yap, Ilocos Sur Rep. Eric Singson Jr., Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara, Pampanga Rep. Carmelo Lazatin, Marikina Rep. Marcelino Teodoro, Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, and Buhay party-list Rep. Mariano Michael Velarde Jr.
“People from all walks of life may fall prey to fraudsters and other unlawful attacks such as committing fraud, child pornography, intellectual property infringement, stealing of identities and privacy violation,” said Mrs. Arroyo.
She said the proliferation and ease of committing cyber crimes make it necessary “to ensure the security, integrity, confidentiality and dependability of the country’s information and communications structure.”
“A law that will facilitate the detection, investigation and prosecution of the misuse, abuse and illegal access of our information and communication system is therefore imperative,” Arroyo said.
It is the policy of the state to provide an environment conducive to the development, acceleration and application of information and communication technology (ICT) to attain free, easy and intelligible access to exchange and/or delivery of information, the lawmaker said.
“There is a need to protect and safeguard the integrity of computer and communication systems, networks and database, and the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information and data stored therein, from all forms of misuse, abuse and illegal access by making such conduct punishable under the law,” she said.
Arroyo argued that the state “must have sufficient powers to effectively prevent and combat such offenses by facilitating their detection, investigation and prosecution at both the domestic and international levels, and by providing arrangements for fast and reliable international cooperation.”
The approval of the bill came with some amendments, including on jurisdiction, removing limitation on the nationality of those involved and the coverage of the impact area of the crime; making lewd exhibition on cyberspace per se a crime; and including threats to life and threats to national security as limits/requirements for an issuance of a court order for the interception of data.
The measure also penalizes cyberstalking and defamation over social media.
Tinga said that while the bill recognizes freedom of expression, it has to be within the confines of what is acceptable.
The measure adopted the definition of terms as used in the Budapest Convention.
The bill provides penalties ranging from P200,000 to P1.25 million and imprisonment of prision mayor.
NBI officials present during the hearing wanted the legal requirement for court warrants to be removed but this drew harsh reactions from lawmakers.
“You’re violating the law,” Arroyo said. “What’s the basis of the issuance of warrant? You cannot issue warrant just because you want to tap someone. It has to be defined. Otherwise you have a police state.”
The “Hello, Garci” election fraud scandal was triggered by the recording of the former leader’s telephone conversation with a poll official.
Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=691489&publicationSubCategoryId=63
As Manila becomes more congested and pollution becomes frustratingly intolerable, many wedding couples opt to get married in hotels and resorts in Angeles City Clark Pampanga. Wedding planners and wedding consultants agree that YATS Clearwater Resort and Country Club is the top choice for wedding venues. Clearwater is known for its faithful rendition of the American suburban lifestyle, all there for the enjoyment of all ages and all the guests.
This resort hotel is different from other hotels in Clark Philippines or hotel in Angeles City. This Clark Freeport Hotel has large space for children to play and adults to enjoy some peace and quiet in the picnic grounds near the lake. Clark Philippines is lucky to have such a hotel. Travel agencies think it is also a nice event venue for company outings, wedding, team building and planning session in the Philippines. They don’t think Angeles City, Manila or Subic has event venues like those in this beach resort in Pampanga.
www.philippinesweddingvenue.com
Philippines Wedding Venues Service Center
Creekside Road corner of Centennial Road,
Central Business District, Clark Freeport Zone,
Pampanga, Philippines 2023
Tel: (045)599-5949 0917-520-4403 0922-870-5177
For any assistance in planning and organizing a wedding ceremony, indoor or outdoor garden reception or to find other wedding service providers, Click here to contact us click here
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 Rea or Chay
Email: Wedding@Yats-International.com
For assistance in hotel and resort bookings in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines, log on to
http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com
To inquire with the highly recommended beach resort hotel in Clark Pampanga visit http://www.ClearwaterPhililippines.com
For more information about Clark, Pampanga, Philippines log on to
http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com