More celebs speak up on cybercrime law

Michael Jackson once said, “There’s nothing that can’t be done if we raise our voice as one.” But how can we freely speak our minds, now that the cybercrime law is looming over our heads?

I’m all for the prevention of the many ills in cyberspace, except for the attempt to silence our voices. Everyone ought to be heard.

Not everyone’s sentiments on raging issues may be right, but they are nonetheless real. So maybe we should just hear each other out with respect. We can either make it a WEB of lies or a safety NET when we go online. What’s it gonna be?

LOL (Libel on Line) or GTG (Good to Go)?

RICHARD Gomez: “Safety net is good.”

RICHARD GOMEZ: The people most affected by this law are the haters, bloggers and hackers. Celebs and politicians are the primary beneficiaries of this controversial law. In my opinion, I think there is too much dependence on the Internet. It is good to put a safety net and (incorporate) responsibility into something that has too much liberty.

AMY PEREZ:Now that the government has admitted that there are still some loopholes in the cybercrime law, I think the lawmakers should do their

AMY PEREZ: “There are loopholes.”

homework properly and study every facet of this new legislation. Some of its sections are meant to protect us, which is good because there are crazy people out there abusing the social networking sites. But some sections (4 and 19) stipulate severe punishment, and that violates our human right to express our feelings. Hopefully, these questionable sections can still be amended.

KIM ATIENZA: Keep the Internet free! It is the last forum for the youth to air their gripes and grievances. The Internet is also the “Hoy Gising” of modern times. Government and media act very fast when a subject “trends” online. Also, the government has no right whatsoever to tell me what a 45-year-old adult should watch and read on the Net. That is my adult choice. The money allocated for the cybercrime law should be used instead for an education campaign on cyber bullying, libel and proper Internet etiquette.

KIM ATIENZA: “Keep the Internet free!”

IC MENDOZA: If, in the lawmakers’ eyes, you are guilty, there will be a warrant of arrest, a heavy fine, and they can have access to your files, just like that? I’m totally against it. It takes away freedom of speech, the right to privacy and due process that every Pinoy is entitled to. Even the most wanted criminals deserve a day in court.

TINTIN BERSOLA-BABAO: It should be amended. I am not in favor of section 6. Under the Cybercrime Prevention Act, any law-abiding

TINTIN Bersola-Babao: “It should be amended.”

citizen is just like any cybercriminal if he tweets something unpleasant about some officials which they could classify as libel. What I am in favor of is that it aims to protect victims like myself from unscrupulous website developers who profit from my domain (which I paid for). I have been a victim of that kind of cybercrime. What I am against is the libel aspect of the law. It curtails our freedom. With freedom comes great responsibility.