Press Release
March 20, 2011

BONG REVILLA WANTS ANTI-CYBER AGENCY UNDER PNOY

Senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. today pushed for the passage of a legislative measure that seeks to create an anti-cybercrime agency directly under President Noynoy Aquino.

According to the senator, with the global rise of internet technology, it is only timely and appropriate to have an agency that is exclusively tasked to address the proliferation of crimes committed through the internet. "Almost all personal, official, corporate and financial undertakings today involve the use of computer software and systems. Alongside with this are cybercrimes that invade morality, security and privacy," Bong Revilla said.

Bong Revilla filed Senate Bill no. 2721 that seeks to create the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordination Center (CICC) under the control and supervision of the Office of the President. The agency shall formulate a cyber security plan. "Our government must adopt sufficient powers to effectively prevent and combat cybercrimes by facilitating their detection, investigation, and prosecution at both the domestic and international levels. We need an agency that would provide arrangements for fast and reliable international cooperation," the lawmaker pointed out.

Also under the bill are the specific offenses that will be considered as cybercrime and its corresponding penalties. The unlawful acts that shall be punished with prison mayor and/ or a fine of at least two hundred thousand pesos (PhP200, 000,00) up to a maximum amount commensurate to the damage incurred are Illegal Access, illegal Interception, Data Interference, System Interference, Misuse of Devices, Computer-related Forgery and Computer-related Fraud.

Any person found guilty of Cybersex shall face the imprisonment of prison mayor and fine ranging from two hundred thousand pesos (PhP200,000.00) to one million pesos (PhP 1,000,000.00) while Child Pornography through the use of computer system shall be penalized by prison correcional and/ or a fine ranging from one hundred thousand pesos (PhP100,000.00) to five hundred thousand pesos (PhP500,000,00).

Unsolicited Commercial Communication has a penalty of arresto mayor or a fine from fifty thousand pesos (PhP50,000,00) to two hundred fifty thousand pesos (PhP250,000,00).

"Aiding or Abetting in the Commission of Cybercrime and Attempt in the Commission of Cybercrime shall face an imprisonment one degree lower than that of the prescribed penalty for the offense or a fine of one hundred thousand pesos to five hundred thousand pesos," the senator added.

There is also a provision in the bill regarding corporate liability, wherein the juridical person involved in the unlawful act shall be fined from two hundred thousand pesos (PhP2,000,000.00) to ten million pesos (PhP10,000,000.00). If the cybercrime was committed due to lack of supervision or control, the juridical person shall be fined from two hundred thousand pesos (PhP2,000,000.00) to five million pesos (PhP5, 000,000.00).

"There is a need to protect the Internet technology system from all forms of misuse, abuse, and illegal access. A strong cybercrime law is expected to attract foreign investors into the country. It will raise the country's reputation as a trading partner for information and communication industries," Bong Revilla explained.

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