Palace: No need to hack websites to show anger vs corruption
MANILA, Philippines - Filipinos who want to express their discontent in corrupt officials don't need to hack government websites, a Malacañang official said Monday.
Presidential Communications Operations Office Sec. Sonny Coloma said there is enough democratic space for the public to show their anger against corruption and on how the government handles present issues.
"There are sufficient avenues for free expression so there's no need to resort to illegal acts such as hacking of government websites," Coloma said in a press briefing.
On Sunday, hackers from a group itself Anonymous Philippines defaced over 30 government websites, including the Office of the Ombudsman's.
A message posted on the hacked websites urged the public to join the “Million Mask March†at the Batasang Pambansa on November 5, Tuesday.
“We apologize for this inconvenience, but this is the only easiest way we could convey our message to you, our dear brothers and sisters who are tired of this cruelty and this false democracy, tired of this government and the politicians who only think about themselves,†the message read.
The government, in many ways, has failed its citizens... Let us remind the government that fairness, justice and freedom are more than words. They are perspectives,†the hackers also said.
Proper actions will be taken against those behind the hacking incidents, Coloma said.
The latest defacement of the government websites happened days after President Benigno Aquino III delivered a rare televised primetime speech concerning the pork barrel and the controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP).
Aquino's speech, by which he maintained that the DAP is legal and that he did not steal from government coffers, was met by mixed reactions from the public and experts.
"For the past few days, there have been a number of commentaries on the President’s nationwide address. We note that many of those who are calling for further protest actions are against patronage politics and the perpetuation of graft and corruption," Coloma said.
Echoing a part of Aquino's speech, Coloma said the government stands with the people.
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