Comprehensive policy to fight cyber crimes sought by Trillanes

SENATE OFFICE, Manila, May 12, 2011-Senator Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV sought for the establishment of a comprehensive policy framework that would put into place the necessary regulations to fight and prevent cyber crimes where he wanted to impose stiff penalties against perpetrators of cyber crimes, who could face up to 12 years in prison and a fine of P800,000 under Senate bill number 14.

  

“Information and communications technologies have revolutionized our lifestyle, information and communications technology enhances and promotes efficiency in facilitating the exchange and delivery of information,” he said, adding that the introduction of computers and computer networks facilitated faster and better data storage, information exchange and communications where this computers are advantageous to improve banking, telecommunications, engineering and data handling in the country.

“A new breed of deviants, new forms of criminals and criminal activities arose such from unauthorized acquisition of vital and confidential information by third parties seeking to profit or benefit from the utilization of such information,” Trillanes said, advising that there is a need for the Philippines to have a law that will define cyber crimes, identify punishable acts involving computers with corresponding penalties, determine legal procedures for the investigation and prosecution of cyber crimes, clarify jurisdictions, provide for a clause on mutual assistance and cooperation, and identify a local body that shall be responsible for providing 24/7 assistance to foreign entities in the resolution of cyber crime cases.

Trillanes would like to categorize and to define certain acts as “cyber crimes” as  computer crimes, defined as any act committed by means of electronic operations that targets the security of computer or communications systems or network and the data they process, such as but not limited to illegal access, illegal interception, misuse of devices and unsolicited commercial communications; Computer sabotage including data interference, system interference, computer fraud and computer forgery; and Computer facilitated crimes including offenses related to cybersex, child pornography, trafficking, prostitution and solicitation.

Trillanes’ proposal soughts for the creation of Computer Emergency Response Council (CERC) under the Office of the President whose task is to formulate and to implement a national plan of action to address and to combat cyber crime.

The senator wanted the government to forge cooperation with other countries for the purpose of detection, investigation and prosecution of computer crime-related offenses.

Trillanes is hoping that thru the passage of the bill, cyber criminals will be discouraged from engaging in illegal act. He added that the passage of the bill is a clear signal to the international community that the country is serious to fight cyber crimes. (Jason de Asis)

Legarda bats for anti-discrimination act

SENATE OFFICE, Manila, May 12, 2011-Senator Loren Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Cultural Communities bats to sponsor the Anti-Discrimination Act of 2011 which seeks to promote a just and humane society that values the dignity of individuals and guarantees full respect for human rights regardless of race, religion and ethnicity.

“I am hoping that this measure will lesser cases of discrimination in the Philippine society regardless of their racial, ethnic or religious affiliation  which will be treated equally,” she said, adding that this will penalize acts of discrimination in the employment, education, delivery of goods and services, accommodation, media, and in search and investigatory activities.

Legarda explained that a person who is proven guilty shall serve between nine months and twelve years in prison, and/or will be obliged to pay between Php100,000 to Php500,000 where agencies, corporations, companies and educational institutions in the private or public are mandated to create an Equal Opportunity Committee, which shall have administrative jurisdiction over cases involving discrimination and racial profiling.

“The Commission on Human Rights in coordination with other concerned
agencies will provide for the procedures for the resolution, settlement, or prosecution of acts of discrimination and racial profiling as well as the creation of Equal Opportunity Committees,” she furthered.

Legarda stressed that our Constitution provides that the State has the mandate to protect any person in all encompassing term that applies equally to all human beings, regardless of their racial, ethnic or religious affiliation, saying that the country entered into various international commitments to end racial discrimination including the International Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination. “Despite this, we remain a nation that throws all forms of bias and prejudice at those who we perceive to be ‘different’ from the majority,” she said.

The Senator revealed that there is a need for effective and comprehensive legal framework in fighting against discrimination and racial profiling. “As a Filipino citizen, we must build a nation where each individual’s beliefs and principles are respected and everyone is given equal opportunity to achieve his full potential as a human being,” she said. (Jason de Asis)