Palace: Time-bound TRO on cybercrime law a 'signal'

MANILA, Philippines - Lawmakers should use the 120-day temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by the Supreme Court to amend the contentious provisions in the Anti-Cybercrime Law, Malacañang said.

In a press conference, Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said that the halt order, which has a shelf life of 120 days, is already a “signal” from the SC that it sees flaws in the law.

"That 120 days perhaps is a signal by the Supreme Court to Congress it may want to amend the law because this is the first time or a very rare time when [it] issued a TRO [with a shelf life]. Again, perhaps this is a signal to the legislature if you would like to finalize whatever amendments you wish to do," he said.

Lacierda said the 120 days should be used by the lawmakers to finalize what they have voiced out only after the law was implemented.

The controversial law went into effect on October 3, only to be halted by the SC for 120 days ending on February 6, 2013.

Some lawmakers, including senators, only saw the need for amendments after they passed the law. Netizens have lashed at the libel provision as well as the additional powers given to the Department of Justice.

Lacierda said the halt order is just a “temporary setback” in the fight against cyber crimes.

"Obviously, we are stymied in the sense that we cannot use this law to file cases against those criminals," he said.

source: abs-cbnnews.com