Aquino backs law on cybercrime libel
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Philippine President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday defended a Supreme Court ruling upholding a provision in the controversial Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 penalising online libel and brushed aside claims that it infringed on the freedom of expressi
“Will it curtail freedom of expression? I don’t think that’s the objective,” Aquino said, a day after the high tribunal ruled against a provision giving authorities sweeping powers to shut down websites or record Internet traffic data in real time while affirming its online libel provision.
“You as responsible journalists, you have rights. [But] those rights have their limits, right? We were taught in school that your rights end where they impinge on the rights of others,” Aquino said.
“If there’s something wrong in what is said on TV, radio or in what is reported in newspapers or magazines, then you move to another format, should that be exempted?” he asked.
“Perhaps, you won’t agree,” he said, arguing that such a situation would go against the “equal protection” clause of the Constitution. “If what you’re saying is right, why would you be afraid of that libel issue?”
The president signed the law in September 2012, but its constitutionality was challenged by 15 petitioners.
