senator miriam’s Internet Freedom Bill – all pinoy internet users should support

if you are pinoy and use the internet, with the use of your cellphone, computer or tablet either for work or pleasure, you have to support senator miriam santiago’s “Internet Freedom Bill” ( Magna Carta for Philippine Internet Freedom). the bill is meant to repeal the poorly written, badly thought of Cybercrime Law which was unfortunately passed last year but now put on hold as it is challenged at the Supreme Court.

read here : challenges to the Cyber Crime Law at the Supreme Court

 

Miriam files Internet freedom bill to counter anti-cybercrime law

Ernie Reyes, InterAksyon.com · Tuesday, July 2, 2013 · 4:40 pm

  

Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago. InterAksyon.com

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago on Tuesday filed a separate bill on Internet freedom virtually to counter the repressive and contentious provisions of the Cybercrime Prevention Act, which was stopped by the Supreme Court pending resolution on its constitutionality.

Under the Magna Carta for Philippine Internet Freedom, Santiago explained that the time has come for the establishment of a comprehensive State framework for the administration of Internet and information and communication technology in the Philippines, “a task that should be jointly undertaken by the government and the private sector.”

“Unless this framework is set in place, the temptation looms that the challenges engendered by these new technologies will be addressed in a reactionary, irrational, and haphazard manner that ultimately impede national progress,” Santiago said.

She added that the Senate Bill No. 53 provides for appropriate mechanism and command structures within the government to address ICT-enabled threats and promote online access and social benefits.

Shortly after the Internet was first used in the country in 1994, Congress has crafted measures to ensure the protection of the public, such as the Electronic Commerce Act (RA 8792) and Data Privacy Act (RA 10173).

“Unfortunately, there remains legislation that confines the Philippines to 20th century capabilities in this 21st century information society,” she said.

“Clearly, the laws that have an impact on cyrberspace must address the realities of the present and the challenges of the future,” Santiago added.

Among the pertinent provisions on Internet rights and freedom instituted by Santiago on the proposed measure (Part 2, Chapter III), are:

• Protection of the Internet as an open network
• Promotion of network neutrality
• Promotion of universal access to the internet
• Right to privilege access to devices
• Right to freedom of speech and expression on the internet
• Protection of the freedom to innovate and create without permission
• Right to privacy of data
• Right to security of data
• Protection of intellectual property
• Promotion of development of internet, network and information and communications infrastructures

“The State, as the primary duty-bearer, shall uphold constitutional rights, privileges, guarantees, and obligations in the development and implementation of policies related to the Internet and information and communication technology,” the bill said.

If passed, the law mandates the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to be the principal administration of this Act as such take the necessary measures for the implementation of policies and objectives set forth in the measure.

http://www.interaksyon.com/infotech/miriam-files-internet-freedom-bill-to-counter-anti-cybercrime-law

read in full here, click : Internet Freedom Bill