REVILLA REFILES ANTI-CYBERSEX BILL

Senator Ramon "Bong "Revilla Jr. has filed anew his bill to address the continuing proliferation of pornographic materials in various media, including the internet and other high tech forms of communication. Revilla expressed his alarm after news reports again ranked the Philippines second among the countries in Asia that hosts and patronize cybersex and ranking the country fourth in child pornography.

Senate Bill No. 12 or the "Anti Pornography Act" was previously filed by the Senator as SB 1892 during the 13th Congress. It aims to slap stiffer penalties against those who publish, broadcast and exhibit pornographic materials through the use of traditional media, the internet, the "cyberspace" cellular phones and other forms of media.

This includes internet chat, websites, e-mail and other technological advancements.

The bill also aims to supplement Republic Act 9208 otherwise known as "Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003."

"At present, proliferation of pornographic materials via the internet and cellphones are not clearly punishable either by the Revised Penal Code or RA 9208. Even if perpetrators are prosecuted, the penalties are inconsequential so that individuals are not deterred from continuing to engage in such immoral and indecent activities," he said. "We claim to be the only Christian country in Asia yet we're still on top when it comes to pornographic activities. It's high time that we solve this problem," Revilla said. Just recently, a female member of the Philippine National Police was discovered to have broadcasted her half naked body with full breast exposure through her friendster webpage.

Last Friday, another Cybersex den, "Sexy Asian Cams," was raided by elements of the QCPD in Cubao.

Under SB 12, any person who shall cause the publication, broadcast, exhibition or selling of pornographic materials shall be punished with 12 to 20 years imprisonment and a fine of not less than two hundred fifty thousand pesos. Any person who helps in the commission of the crime will face 12 year imprisonment and fine of not less than one hundred thousand pesos.

Cong. Monico Puentebella meanwhile, has filed a bill in the House of Representatives, which aims to punish individuals who spread pornographic materials through cellular phones.