While everybody was busy with Corona impeachment, legislators push anti-media bills

Emasculating Online Media

While the public, most especially media, was busy following the Corona impeachment trial, legislators were pushing measures that would undermine journalists’ work of making government officials accountable, which senator-judges declared as the major accomplishment of the just-concluded political exercise.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines alerted the media community on three legislations: Sen. Edgardo Angara’s Senate Bill 2965, An Act Protecting Individual Personal Information in Information and Communications Systems in the Government and the private sector; House Bill No. 5808, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012; and House Bill 5831 which proposes the amendment of Article 359 of R.A 3815, the Revised Penal Code.

Angara’s SB 2965 also seeks to create a national data protection commission.

Section 30 (Breach of Confidentiality) of SB2965 provides: The penalty of imprisonment ranging from two years and four months to five years and a fine not less than P500,000 but not more than P2 million shall be imposed in case of a breach of confidentiality where such breach has resulted in the information being published or reported by media. In this case, the responsible reporter, writer, president, publisher, manager and editor-in-chief shall be liable under this Act.”

NUJP said the provision clearly intends to prevent journalists from performing their duties of delivering timely, relevant and accurate information to the public in the service of the people’s right to know.

“While we agree that the privacy of citizens should be protected, we are concerned that, especially in the wake of the historic impeachment trial of Renato Corona, those who live in mortal fear of transparency might twist this measure into providing more cover for the fortunes they have amassed through crime and corruption,” NUJP said.

This is deplorable after hearing senator after senator explain their vote to convict Corona as their commitment to transparency and accountability in public service.

At the House of Representatives, House Bill No. 5808, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 was passed on third and final reading.

The bill seeks to define and penalize cybercrime offenses committed in the country, including a controversial provision that criminalizes online defamation.

Kabataan Partylist Rep. Raymond Palatino said the bill seeks to widen the scope of libel as a criminal offense which he considers “a step backward in the ongoing fight of various media and free expression groups to totally decriminalize libel.”

He warned that some provisions of the bill could be prone to abuse and could be used to “censor online content or to harass critics of the government.”

“The bill, if passed into law … can be a weapon of abusive politicians and corrupt corporate bosses against netizens who wanted to expose the truth about their illegal activities,” he added.

There’s also House Bill 5831, authored by Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Jay Velasco, which seeks to raise by 80 per cent the penalties for libel, slander and “intriguing against honor.”

Velasco, who chairs the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments, said that other than the raised fine, the bill also seeks to impose the penalty of arresto mayor in its maximum period to prision correccional in its minimum period, depending on the nature of the violation.

NUJP said those who would seek to silence the independent Philippine press apparently are not contented with the growing body count of murdered journalists and media workers, they still want to “erect a wall of silence and onerous penalties around the profession of truth-telling.”

NUJP finds it lamentable that “ this has been taking place even as Congress continues to twiddle its thumbs on the Freedom of Information and the libel decriminalization bills and without the sector that would be most affected by these measures – the press – and, by extension, the public it serves being informed.”

NUJP demands that any and all attempt to enact legislation that will narrow the parameters of press freedom, of freedom of expression and of the people’s right to know be immediately withdrawn or subjected to open and transparent amendments, with the full participation of all those who might be adversely affected by such measures.

Marshall headphones review

You could say one of the perks of being a blogger is being able to test out a few stuff (and in some cases, we get to keep them). I am able to know some products which I am not able to get acquainted with otherwise. Case in point are these Marshall headphones which landed in my lap recently. It was a case of like at first sight because it looked so well made and not cheap-looking at all (also, not cheap at a retail price of P4,650) . Plus I like the color white when it’s beautifully made like this…

Marshall headphones

There’s a logo emblazoned with the word Marshall at the inner part of the device where it would fit the top of my head. A little research led me to the fact that Marshall brand comes from the UK and it’s big name in amplifiers. One article pointed out they’re the reason why rock music is LOUD. Marshall amps have been used by the likes of The Who, Cream & Led Zeppelin.

Does the headphone live up to the name?

My little test proved that the little Marshall satisfies on the level of casual listening. Hardcore music enthusiasts can do better with more expensive, pure sounding earpieces. You know the type where it seems like the music is blasting while giving you the feeling that it is just next door.

Sound quality in the Marshall is par for the course, but that’s also because am not the most demanding of the bunch. I only get to use the thing when am at the gym. Most of the time too, it’s the likes of Adele & Katy Perry blasting in my ears. I certainly haven’t tried the headphone yet on some loud rock , hip-hop or club music.

What’s clear is that I loved having the Marshall Major on my head.With its good looks, you will make sure you’re also wearing them signature sweatpants & sneakers while working the treadmill.

Unknown to you, this review also came with the Marshall Minor unit …. it’s called minor because they’re little earphones. In an earlier post, I told you about how I prefer headphones to earphones and it’s the same with this case.

Marshall headphones

At first, I had a difficulty fitting the device into my ear until I tried out the different-sized earpads that came with it. It was good that there was an attached mic so I can answer calls on my Samsung while listening to the beat. Sound quality was consistent, with a good mix of bass and treble. I could learn to love these Marshalls and there was certainly separation anxiety when it was time to return the review units again :)

Marshall Minor earphones SRP – P2,650

Check out Marshall in the following resellers in Manila:

Astrovision
Beyond the Box
Complex
Digital Hub
E-Central
EDS
Egghead
Gadgets in Style
Gui
iCenter
iStore
iStudio
Listen Up
Listening Room
Mobile 1
PC Hub
Power Mac Center
SKT Digital
Spectra
Switch
Technoholics
Urban Athletics

My last day in Zamboanga City (part 3)

May 23rd, I flew from Bongao Tawi Tawi back to Zamboanga. The Tawi Tawi trip was one of the awesomest trip I recently had. Very memorable! This is the third installment of my Zamboanga Experience. You can read the first part and second part here.

The flight was scheduled in the morning. And just like my Zamboanga – Tawi tawi trip, am I so amazed at all the islands in the Sulu area. White sand beaches abound!

I always love the design of the Zamboanga International Airport. THe Malay/Islamic influence is very evident in its roof design.

Zamboanga 016

(...)
Read the rest of My last day in Zamboanga City (part 3)



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Guilty!

'Culpable violation of the Constitution'

In a vote of 20-3, the impeachment court declared Chief Justice Renato Corona “Guilty” of having committed “culpable violation of the Constitution and/or betrayed the public trust when he failed to disclose to the public his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth as required under Sec. 17, Art. XI of the 1987 Constitution.

'Tinatanggap ko na po ang kalbaryong aming pinagdaanan.'

Under the Rules of Impeachment, there is no appeal. He is thus immediately removed as chief justice
The charge was number two of the Articles of Impeachment. The senate-turned-impeachment court did not find it necessary to vote on the two other charges.

Those who voted “Guilty” were: Edgardo Angara, Alan Peter Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, Franklin Drilon, Francis Escudero, Jinggoy Estrada, Teofisto Guingona III, Gregorio Honasan, Panfilo Lacson,Lito Lapid, Loren Legarda, Sergio Osmeña III, Francis Pangilinan, Aquilino Pimentel III, Ralph Recto,Tito Sotto, Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr., Antonio Trillanes III, Manuel Villar, at Juan Ponce-Enrile.

Those who voted “Not Guilty” were Joker Arroyo, Miriam Defensor-Santiago, and Ferdinand Marcos,Jr.

It was a historic political exercise, the first impeachment trial to have been completed. Other attempts for impeachment were either aborted as in the case of former President Joseph Estrada or didn’t reach the Senate as in the case of former Supreme Court Hilario Davide and former Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez.

The fact that it was completed shows the maturing of democracy in the country. Much of the credit goes to the tight and adept handling of Presiding Judge Juan Ponce-Enrile, who was both compassionate and liberal when situation as when Corona was at the witness stand and firm when the prosecution were bungling the presentation of evidence.

Enrile scored “some parties”, which I presume referred to the Prosecution for its “indiscriminate, illegal machinations” in procuring dubious documents.

He also lamented “underhanded tactics and gimmickry situation” resorted to during the trial.
Both sides cited the Constitution in their arguments.

Those who voted “Guilty” anchored on the provision on the “Accountability of Public Officers.”
They said his non-reporting of his P80 million and $2.4 million deposits. He declared only in his 2010 SALN P3.5 million cash assets.

Those who voted “Not Guilty” cited a provision in the Bill of Rights,Sec. 14 (2), Art. III that states, “In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall be presumed innocent until the contrary is proved…”

They also argued that even if he made a mistake in his SALN declaration, it was not an impeachable crime.
A number of the senators who “Guilty” cited the case of the court interpreter in the Regional Trial Court in Davao del Norte who was dismissed for failure to include in her SALN that she owned a stall in a public market.

They all said, how can you compel other government employees to abide by the requirements of the SALN if you allow the Chief Magistrate of the land to get away with his non-reporting of his huge bank deposits?
A number of senators also said the trial of Corona raised the bar of public governance and public accountability. Escudero said “Ibig sabihin nito, mula ngayon, pwedeng nang tanggalin sa pwesto ang punong mahistrado pati na rin ang pangulo at ikalawang pangulo at iba pang impeachable officers kapag meron silang di dineklara sa kanilang SALN.”

Unlike other senators, who announced their decision at the end of their explanation, Trillanes went straight to the point:”My verdict is guilty.”

He said, “As to the matter of public policy, it is in the best interest of the country to convict Chief Justice Renato Corona. A conviction signifies that transparency and accountability as principles in governance take precedence over legal technicalities. This effectively takes away any refuge for the corrupt public official. Moreover, the claim of “co-mingled funds” and the confidentiality of dollar deposits will never be accepted as alibis.

“A conviction also signifies that our system of checks and balance is working well and that Impeachment can now be effectively used as a tool of the state to make high government officials accountable for their actions. From now on, No one is untouchable.

“Lastly, a conviction signifies that we have considerably raised the standards for a Chief Justice of our Supreme Court. He must not only possess vast legal knowledge and wisdom necessary to interpret the law according to its spirit and intent. But, more importantly, he must have unquestionable moral integrity and strength of character to render him impervious to corruption and political pressure as he administers justice for our country and people.”

Statement of CJ Corona on guilty verdict

Lubos kong ikinalulungkot ang naging pasiya ng Senate Impeachment Court. Bilang Punong Mahistrado, buong tapang at talino kong hinarap ang hamon ng impeachment at sumailalim ako sa proseso na alinsunod sa Saligang Batas, umaasang makakamit ang hustisyang aking hinanap ng mahigit limang buwan.

Hindi kaila sa akin na gagamitin ng Pangulo ang buong puwersa ng gobyerno, kasama na ang mga ahensiyang dapat sana ay malayang nagpapasiya – ang Kamara, ang BIR, ang LRA, ang AMLC, ang Ombudsman, at iba pa. Hindi rin kaila sa akin na gagamit ng kabang-yaman para sa mapanira at mapang-aping media campaign, sa radyo, telebisyon at dyaryo, laban sa akin at sa aking pamilya. Lahat po ito ay tinanggap ko, alang-alang sa kasarinlan ng Hudikatura, upang maitaguyod ang kalayaang magpasiya ng mga hukuman, na isang napakahalagang sangkap ng ating demokrasya.

Ngunit nanaig ang masamang pulitika. Wala po akong sala. Wala pong katotohanan ang mga bintang sa akin na nakapaloob sa Articles of Impeachment. Malinis po ang konsyensiya ko. Ngunit isang malungkot na katotohanang pulitikal na minsan ang tingin ng nakararami na nangyari, ay hindi naaayon sa tunay na mga naganap. Lalo na kapag hawak ng iisang tao o pangkat ang buong makinarya ng pamahalaan, at maging ang media na rin, at gamitin ang mga ito upang gumawa ng huwad na dokumento at maglathala ng mapanlinlang na impormasiyon at balita upang manira ng kalaban. Ang lagi nga pong katanungan ay, “Kung malakas ang kaso, bakit kailangan mag-imbento?”

Ang ating bansa ay matagal nang ginambala ng impeachment na ito. At ngayong gabi, inaanyayahan ko kayong talikuran ang naging sentro ng palabas na ito nitong nakaraang limang buwan, upang buuin ang hiblang nagkawatak-watak, at ibaling muli ang ating pansin sa lahat ng mga pagsubok at pangako ng Pilipinas sa susunod na siglo.

Ihinto na po natin ang pulitika ng personal na paninira. Supilin na po natin ang lason na dulot ng labis na kampi-kampihan, labis na pagkakawatak-watak, at hindi mapigilang poot at galit. Hindi po ito ang nararapat para sa ating bayan. Hindi po ito ang buod ng bansang Pilipinas. Panahon na upang isulong ang ating buhay bilang isang bansa.

Tayong lahat ay may mga mahalagang tungkuling dapat tugunan – tunay na mga pagkakataong kailangang samantalahing maabot, totoong mga suliraning kailangang lutasin, at tunay na mga usaping dapat harapin.

Taos-puso po akong nagpapasalamat sa iilang Senador, sina Senador Joker Arroyo, Senadora Miriam Defensor Santiago at Senador Bongbong Marcos na may matatag na kaloobang manindigan sa kabila ng matinding puwersa upang ipaglaban ang kasarinlan ng Hudikatura at ang aking mga karapatan na malinaw na nakasaad sa ating Saligang-Batas.

Nagpapasalamat din po ako sa mga napakarami nating mga kababayan na nagparating ng kanilang pakiki-isa sa amin sa Kataastaasang Hukuman, sa akin, at sa aking pamilya. Kasabay nito, ako po ay humihingi ng paumanhin sa aking maybahay, mga anak at apo, sapagkat sa aking pagtatanggol sa kasarinlan ng Hudikatura ay nailagay ko sila sa kalbaryong hindi naman nila kinailangang maranasan. Pati na rin po sa mga tumulong at sumuporta sa akin, humihingi rin po ako sa inyo ng paumanhin, sapagkat hindi naging sapat ang aking kakayahan upang magtagumpay sa hangarin nating pairalin ang katotohanan.

Kung ito po ang ikabubuti ng ating bayan, tinatanggap ko na po ang kalbaryong aming pinagdaanan. Dahil sa simula’t sapul naman, ay handa na akong mag-alay ng sariling buhay para sa bayan. Kung kaya, ipinapaubaya ko na po sa ating Poong Maykapal at sa taong bayan na higit na makapangyarihan sa ating demokrasya ang aking kinabukasan at ang kinabukasan ng ating Hudikatura.

Maraming salamat po.

The Medical City, Pasig City. Ika-29-ng Mayo, 2012.

(signed)
RENATO C. CORONA

Transcripts of the Senators Explanation of their votes

Guilty:

Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano

Pia Cayetano

Sen. Gregorio Honasan

Sen. Loren Legarda

Sen. Francis Pangilinan

Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr.

Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV

Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile

Not Guilty:

Sen. Miriam Defensor
She did not deliver this prepared speech.
This was her performance:

Sen. Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.