Dakila: 120 Days of Temporary Victory

PRESS RELEASE
Dakila – Philippine Collective for Modern Heroism
October 10 2012

(DISCLAIMER: Any opinions written in this post are Dakila Philippines' own and do not reflect the viewpoint of any other Naga City Deck and/or NCD Contributor)

120 Days of Temporary Victory

as Supreme Court Issues TRO on Cyber Crime Law

With a unanimous verdict, the Supreme Court has issued a temporary restraining order on the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 on Tuesday, October 9, amidst protests by different organizations, including the Philippine Internet Freedom Alliance.

A total of 15 petitions were filed at the Supreme Court. Some grounds of the petitions include: the law as a violation of the right to privacy, to equal protection, and to free speech.

“Dakila lauds the Supreme Court for their decision. However, the TRO is only one step to the long road that lies ahead towards Internet Freedom. While freedom is not absolute, Dakila believes that the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 in its current form does not answer the needs of netizens and cyberspace. And as a country that takes pride in democracy, we cannot allow to have a law that sends a chilling effect on Filipinos and which may be used as an avenue for misuse and abuse,” Ayeen Karunungan, Dakila council member and PIFA spokesperson, said.

The TRO will last for 120 days and the oral arguments on the case will be held next year, January 15.

“We call for every citizen to remain vigilant and continue the fight for the law to be repealed. We call for our lawmakers to craft a law, together with the citizens, that will truly answer the needs and address the problems encountered in cyberspace. The Internet has helped transform the face of activism, how we protect it is now up to us,” Karunungan added.

Meanwhile, Dakila has been working with other groups including Access, an international group instrumental in the successful campaign against SOPA and PIPA, to research legislations in other countries that worked to prevent cybercrimes but also protects digital freedom.

Dakila is an organization of artists that teaches Digital Activism, a program that empowers advocates to strengthen their work through digital media and is a member of the Philippine Internet Freedom Alliance.

For more info, contact Ayeen at 09175057055.