Bongbong files bill amending cybercrime law

MANILA, Philippines - Senator Bongbong Marcos on Monday filed a bill amending the most contentious provision of the controversial cybercrime law.

Marcos filed Senate Bill No. 11 seeking to delete the sentence in Section 6 of the Cybercrime Prevention Act, which imposes a penalty for cyber libel higher than the penalty imposed under the Revised Penal Code for libel committed through the traditional media like print and broadcast.

Section 6 states that "All crimes defined and penalized by the Revised Penal Code, as amended, and special laws, if committed by, through and with the use of information and communications technologies shall be covered by the relevant provisions of this Act: Provided, That the penalty to be imposed shall be one (1) degree higher than that provided for by the Revised Penal Code, as amended, and special laws, as the case may be."

Marcos said imposing a higher penalty on crimes defined under the Revised Penal Code and special laws committed through the Internet is "not in accordance with the principle of justice and equality, and sound public policy."

"If a crime is committed by, through and with the use of information and communications technologies, then the penalties provided under the present laws should be imposed accordingly and should not be increased solely on the ground that the crime was perpetrated through the use of cyberspace," Marcos said.

The controversial cybercrime law signed on September 2012, aimed at boosting the government's power to combat cyber terrorism and online crimes.

In October 2012, the Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order stopping the implementation of the law for 120-days.

The halt order was extended indefinitely last February.