Sa kabila ng mga pagtutol ng ilang mga partido, ay ipatutupad na ng gobyerno ang kontrobersyal na Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
Ang Department of Justice (DOJ) ang implementing agency ng nasabing batas at naatasang lumikha ng implementing rules and regulations (IRR) ng Republic Act 10175, na magiging gabay ng pulisya sa pagpapatupad ng naturang batas.
Kaugnay dito, ang Supreme Court Public Information Office ay hindi nag-issue ng TRO (temporary restraining order) upang aksyunan ang mga petisyon laban dito na pinirmahan ni Pangulong Benigno Aquino III noong Setyembre 12 sa Korte Supreme. Ang mga ito diumano ay nangangailangan ng karagdagang pagsusuri.
Ipinagpaliban ng SC ang pagtalakay sa mga petisyon ngayong araw at nakatakdang talakayin sa susunod na Martes, Oktubre 9. Ang pagpapaliban ay dahil sa tatlo sa mga mahistrado ang nasa ibang bansa para sa official business, habang dalawa naman ang absent.
Batay sa mga inihaing petisyon, labag sa Konstitusyon ang Cybercrime Law dahil sa mga probisyon hinggil sa freedom of speech, equal protection law, right to privacy, right against unreasonable search and seizures at right against double jeopardy. Sakop ng Sections 4 at 5 ang iba't ibang mga paglabag, kabilang na ang libel, na umano'y lumalabag sa karapatan ng mga tao sa free speech, ayon sa mga naghain ng petisyon. Samantala, nakasaad naman sa Section 6 at 7 na mapaparusahan ng higher degree na parusa ang mga mahahatulang guilty sa online libel at maaari rin silang hiwalay na sampahan sa paglabag ng Revised Penal Code para sa parehong sala.
Mabibigyan naman ng kakayahan ng Section 19 ng batas ang DOJ na ipagbawal o i-block ang mga computer data na matatagpuang lumalabag sa Cybercrime na batas.
Kabilang sa mga probisyon ng batas na nais nilang ideklarang unconstitutional ang mga sumusunod:
— Sec. 4 (a)(3), which includes data interference, defined as "the intentional or reckless alteration, damaging, deletion or deterioration of computer data, electronic document, or electronic data message, without right, including the introduction or transmission of viruses," in the list of cybercrime offenses;
— Sec. 4(b)(3), which lists computer-related identity theft, defined as the intentional acquisition, use, misuse, transfer, possession, alteration or deletion of identifying information belonging to another, as one of computer-related offenses;
— Sec. 4(c)(4), which criminalizes libel, not only on the internet, but also on "any other similar means which may be devised in the future;"
— Sec. 5(a)(b), which identifies other offenses punishable under the law, such as: (a) Aiding or Abetting in the Commission of Cybercrime; and (b) Attempt in the Commission of Cybercrime;
— Sec. 6, which raises by one degree higher the penalties provided for by the Revised Penal Code for all crimes committed through and with the use of information and communications;
— Sec. 7, which provides that, apart from prosecution under the law, any person charged for the alleged offense covered will not be spared from violations of the Revised Penal Code and other special laws;
— Sec. 12, which authorizes the real-time collection of traffic data;
— Sec. 17, which authorizes service providers and law enforcement agencies to "completely destroy the computer data subject of a preservation and examination" order;
— Sec. 19, which authorizes the DOJ to block access to computer data when such data "is prima facie found to be in violation of the provisions of this Act;" and
— Sec. 20, which states that those who fail to comply with provisions of Chapter IV (Enforcement and Implementation), specifically orders from law enforcement agencies, shall face imprisonment of prision correctional (6 months and 1 day to 6 years) in its maximum period or a fine of P100,000 or both, for each noncompliance.
