National Union of Journalists of the Philippines
Cagayan de Oro Chapter
28 September 2012
We maintain
that a well-informed electorate forms the better part of a genuinely democratic
country. As journalists, our role in this supposed democratic society is quite
well-defined. We are the fourth estate—our mandate is to inform and educate the
electorate so that the latter can arrive at intelligent decisions.
Contrary to what the Palace apologists are dishing out to the general public that the call for the passage of the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) is solely the media sector's legislative agenda, this law will actually put into practice President Benigno Simeon Aquino III's campaign slogan, “Matuwid na daan.”
But by a harebrained twist of fate, the President signed Anti Cybercrime Act of 2012 (RA 10175) into law instead. We could not even begin to point out the unconstitutional provisions of RA 10175, as it is simply a badly written piece of legislation.
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Cagayan de Oro Chapter
28 September 2012
STATEMENT
Fear, ignorance
and muzzling of the inherent right of every person to access public information
has no place in a society who declares itself a free market of ideas.
Contrary to what the Palace apologists are dishing out to the general public that the call for the passage of the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) is solely the media sector's legislative agenda, this law will actually put into practice President Benigno Simeon Aquino III's campaign slogan, “Matuwid na daan.”
Once enacted
into law, the FOI Act will become the cornerstone of the Aquino administration
which has been repeatedly claiming to advance accountability, transparency and
good governance. It will immortalize your leadership.
The access to
public information is not only the concern of media but of the general public.
It is our right to know how the people we elected into offices spend our taxes
as well as policies and decision that affect our everyday lives.
But by a harebrained twist of fate, the President signed Anti Cybercrime Act of 2012 (RA 10175) into law instead. We could not even begin to point out the unconstitutional provisions of RA 10175, as it is simply a badly written piece of legislation.
We, the
members of NUJP Cagayan de Oro Chapter, demand for the President to get his
administration in order and pass FOI Act, now!
We, also
denounce the railroaded passing of the Anti Cybercrime Act of 2012 (RA 10175)
and we demand that this repressive law be repealed, immediately before the 15th
Congress adjourns.
Cong B.
Corales
Enact FOI Act now!
Repeal the Anti Cybercrime
Act of 2012!
Rage against
Impunity!
Philippines: New ‘Cybercrime’ Law Will Harm Free S...
Cybercrime law threatens freedom of expression