Tag: freedom of speech

President Noynoy Aquino’s extensive history of suppressing the Truth

September 19, 2013 benign0 21 Comments

My colleague Paul Farol, on the mark in his usual form, had earlier cited what is likely the most recent case of the underhanded manner with which the administration of Philippine President Benigno Simeon “BS” Aquino III deals with revealing information circulating amongst its constituents. An article published by Francisco S. Tatad earlier this week…

Crime, Government, Media, Politics, Technology

Outrage erupts as Singapore implements licensing for Net news sites!

June 5, 2013June 5, 2013 benign0 10 Comments

The new licensing scheme will require sites with a defined volume of content relating to Singaporean news and current affairs to be issued a license to operate following notification from Singapore’s Media Development Authority (MDA). Under the licensing framework, online news sites will be individually licensed if they (i) report an average of at least…

Media, Tech Talk

An Unconstitutional Law: A Discourse on the Cybercrime Law

March 5, 2013March 5, 2013 Jose Mario de Vega 3 Comments

I refer to the burning issue of the day that concerns our society as a whole. This pertains to the new measure enacted by the Legislative and signed into law by the Chief Executive. I am specifically referring to RA 10175 or Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. I overwhelmingly concur with the contention advanced by…

Crime, Tech Talk

Fr Joaquin Bernas weighs in on Article 133 on top of a flawed assumption

February 4, 2013February 4, 2013 benign0 34 Comments

Interesting point revered “constitutionalist” Father Joaquin Bernas makes as he weighs in on the subject of Article 133 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC)… […] Article 133 also raises an intriguing question: When a priest or bishop castigates or consigns to the netherworld those who oppose the Reproductive Health Law in a sermon before a…

Crime, Religion

No, freedom of speech is NOT under threat…

February 1, 2013August 14, 2013 FallenAngel 38 Comments

Whiny, emo, pa-victim “activism” is. This realization has failed to sink in, so far, among the chattering classes currently up in arms just because Carlos Celdran was jailed for his Damaso stunt. The simple inescapable fact emerging from all this is that he violated a law. Regardless of whether he and these “activists” knew that…

Civics, Culture, Media

Carlos Celdran faces prison for allegedly offending Catholic faithful in his ‘Damaso’ stunt in 2010

January 28, 2013 benign0 24 Comments

Popular tour guide and activist Carlos Celdran was found guilty of acts deemed “offensive to the feelings of the faithful.” Celdran was arrested for a publicity stunt he performed back on the 30th September 2010 to raise awareness for his advocacy. Dressed in costume that presumably depicted him as Philippine national hero Jose Rizal, Celdran…

Crime, Religion

Filipino viral videos: mere modern symptoms of a very old cultural dysfunction

November 19, 2012 benign0 32 Comments

As my colleague Ilda pointed out, Filipinos seem to be averse to speaking out. This may seem to be a counterintuitive assertion to make, given how Filipinos pride themselves with a tradition of flamboyant political activism, tacky spectacle in the way they practice freedom of speech in their mass media, and voluminous undifferentiated chatter in…

Civics, Crime, Culture, Lifestyle, Media

Angst over Ph anti-Cybercrime law traces roots to Filipino love-hate relationship with ‘freedom of speech’

October 2, 2012 benign0 23 Comments

At the core of the brouhaha surrounding the recently-enacted Republic Act 10175, a.k.a. the Philippine Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, is the Filipino’s love-hate relationship with “freedom of expression” of which “free speech” is a subset. On one hand, Filipinos love their “freedom of speech” and venerate the notion practically alongside their Santo NiÃ±os. On…

Crime, Culture, Media, Society