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A controversial provision in anti-cybercrime law slipped under the noses of legislators in the Senate.
Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero himself admits his oversight when he voted for the approval of Cybercrime Prevention Act.
"It was a mistake... I don’t want to give any reason or motive (why some senators inserted that provision)," Escudero explained.
"I will just admit our shortcomings, personally, because I can’t speak for other senators," he added.
Escudero, who filed a separate bill decriminalizing libel, confessed his failure to notice the new law's provision imposing criminal liability on libel.
But he vowed to make up for his mistake, disclosing he has taken steps to file another bill that would amend the recently-signed law.
“We are now studying filing an amendatory law this early to repeal that provision just to be consistent with my bill," Escudero revealed.
He expressed hope it would replace criminal with civil liability on those who will commit libel under the anti-cybercrime law.
“I’ll take out the criminal liability but the civil liability provision will be intact, meaning no jail penalty,” said the senator.
The reelectionist senator disclosed his plan to filing the amendatory bill during recess before lawmakers resume session on October 8.
Escudero explained hope that his bill would initiate steps for Congress to adopt a joint resolution that would postpone implementation of the controversial law.
Senator Teofisto Guingona III, the lone vote against the passage of the Cybercrime Prevention Act, meanwhile asked the Supreme Court on Thursday to void some
The Philippines vowed Thursday to fight China "to the last man standing", as a Chinese warship patrolled around a remote reef occupied by a handful of Filipino marines in disputed waters.
