Media, netizens to mark EDSA with ‘Black Tuesday’ protest

Media groups plan coordinated protests over the Supreme Court’s Cybercrime Act ruling

MEDIA ORGANIZATIONS, netizens, and civil society groups will commemorate the 28th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolt today, February 25, with a coordinated online protest against a recent Supreme Court ruling affirming the constitutionality of online libel.

The “Black Tuesday” protest was agreed on during a roundtable discussion held by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines and other media and online organizations that had questioned the constitutionality of Republic Act 10175, also known as the Cybercrime Prevention Act.

The groups say Tuesday’s protest highlights the “regression” of both press freedom and freedom of expression since press freedom was restored after the ouster of former President Ferdinand Marcos on February 25, 1986.

The protest also comes exactly a week after the Supreme Court ruled on R.A. 10175.

The High Court had ruled that the online libel provision in R.A. 10175 is constitutional, over the objections of at least 15 media and civil society groups questioning the law.

While the court recognized online libel, it however said that the crime only covers the original authors or producers of the libelous material, and does not cover those who receive, share, or respond to the material.

In addition, the court also struck down other questionable provisions in the law, such as the “takedown” provision which would have allowed the Justice Department to restrict access to digital materials in question even without a warrant, and the provision that would have allowed law enforcers to collect real-time traffic data.

While the media groups welcomed the removal of these provisions, they said the SC decision effectively expanded the coverage of the crime of libel into the digital domain.

Media organizations and civil society groups have been pushing for the decriminalization of the crime of libel, contained in Section 353 of the Revised Penal Code.

The Cybercrime Act expressly provides that this crime is also covered in the digital domain, and elevated the punishment for online libel by one degree.

The Philippines is one of few countries in the world that still considers libel a crime punishable with imprisonment. In addition, Philippine libel is unique in that an allegedly libelous material is presumed to be tainted with malice unless otherwise proven by the accused.

The groups that attended the roundtable discussion, which include the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, the NUJP, and several bloggers and online organizations, decided to draft a pooled editorial for publication or broadcast both online and offline on Tuesday.

The editorial would express dismay over the decision of the Supreme Court affirming the constitutionality of online libel, and push for the decriminalization of libel itself as defined by the Revised Penal Code.

As well, the groups are asking the Supreme Court to release the full text of Tuesday’s decision on R.A. 10175, as many points of the decision remain vague or unclear. The full decision is also needed for the groups to decide on how to appeal the Supreme Court ruling.

The groups also agreed to a coordinated campaign against the ruling on online libel on BlackTuesday. Details of the campaign are still being hammered out.

The groups also noted how Tuesday’s Supreme Court ruling appeared to backtrack on earlier pronouncements by the Tribunal on libel.

In 2008, then Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Puno issued a circular to all trial judges urging them to impose fines rather than prison sentences on those found guilty of libel.

While the circular does not carry the weight of an en banc decision, the issuance had a noticeable effect on many courts that year, said NUJP Chair Rowena Paraan.

Paraan said that as a result of the circular, no journalist was sent to jail for libel on that year.

“The ruling (last Tuesday) was a step back. It was already very libertarian,” Paraan said.

Malou Mangahas, executive director of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, said it is wrong for officials to justify the new restrictions by saying that citizens who do not commit crimes have nothing to fear.

Earlier, President Benigno S. Aquino III said the court ruling was not a curtailment of freedom of the press.

“If you know you speak the truth, why be worried about libel,” the President was quoted in media reports as saying.

“This should not be about a theorem of fear, but a theorem of rights,” Mangahas said.

“May sense sila na if you pass restrictive laws, then everybody will behave.”

Juned Sonido, a local blogger, said the online libel provisions will only drive expression “underground.” Sonido said this is unfortunate especially now that citizens are learning to express and engage with government, both online and offline.

“This sets back freedom of expression by 20 years,” Sonido said. “It sets the discussions that are online back, at a time when citizens are already going online to engage the government.”

Sonido pointed out that this would even make it more problematic for the government, as knowledgeable netizens know how to hide their identities when they post online. “So who would they sue then? This sets back freedom of expression by 20 years.”

The groups also agreed to harness the growing opposition to the online provision of the Cybercrime Act in order to redefine and decriminalize libel itself. For this, the media groups warned netizens of the “false dichotomy” that libel only applies to journalists.

The groups asked netizens to help in the campaign to make the public understand the full impact of the Cybercrime law, not just on journalists, but on ordinary users of the internet.

Ka Blas:The barefoot boy from Hagonoy

A special non-working holiday is declared for the province of Bulacan on Monday, February 3, 2014 as the province mark the 87th birthday of the late statesman Blas F.Ople.

A former senator of the republic, Ka Blas as he is reverently called died on December 14, 2003 while his way to Bahrain for a diplomatic mission as Secretary of Foreign Affairs.

Much has been written about Ka Blas, but younger people today do not know much about him.

Below is a brief biography of Ka Blas posted on the Blas F.Ople Policy Center website. Please read.

Blas Fajardo Ople graduated valedictorian from elementary school. He was so poor that he had to deliver his first public speech as valedictorian wearing leather shoes borrowed from a rich uncle. The shoes were too small for his feet and these hurt. This and other incidents involving this precocious child of humble beginnings shaped his character.

During the War, he was a first lieutenant at sixteen years old, assigned to the Del Pillar Regiment, Bulacan Military Area. He fought in Northern Luzon and participated in the August 1945 Battle of langan which resulted in the surrender of the Japanese Imperial Army on Luzon Island.

Looking back, the Filipino statesman described the war as a defining moment in his life. “The war tested my character, and I was happy this happened. It would color my views of public service for the rest of my life.”

Unable to finish his four-year college course due to the demands of a growing family, the man known as Ka Blas worked as a deskman and columnist of Daily Mirror until he was recruited by Ramon Magsaysay to join the Magsaysay-for-President Movement. He served as technical assistant on labor and agrarian affairs.

At 40, he was labor secretary of President Ferdinand Marcos, a post he held for seventeen years – in 1967 to 1971, and in 1972 to early 1986. In 1975, he became the first Filipino president of the International Labor Organization. He delivered his acceptance speech in the Filipino language.

Ople was tapped by President Corazon C. Aquino to help frame the 1987 Constitution. He was elected senator for the first time in 1992 and reelected for a second term in 1998. He was Senate President from June 29, 1999 to April 12, 2000. He was DFA Secretary from July 2002 to December 14, 2003.

In an interview with Philippine Graphic on February 18, 2022, Ople, who was still a senator, was asked to describe his biggest achievements. He replied: “I am the author of the Labor Code of the Philippines which up to this time protects the rights of workers. I also launched the overseas employment program, which created jobs for seven million Filipinos and transformed the lives of millions of families in the Philippines by giving them disposable income over and above subsistence. And of course, in the Senate, I have facilitated our interaction with the rest of the world through the approval of more than 50 bilateral and international treaties or conversions. These have linked us to the economic dynamism of the world and in particular of East Asia where we belong.”

Ka Blas died in the service of his country on December 14, 2003 while enroute to Bahrain on diplomatic mission as the country’s Secretary of Foreign Affairs.

All systems go for festivals in Bulacan this January

MALOLOS CITY—It’s all systems go for four separate festivals in Bulacan this month. 

The annual festivals include Minasa Festival in Bustos town that opened Monday, January 13, the Fiesta Republica in Malolos that will open on January 16, the Halamanan Festival in Guiguinto town that will start on January 20, and the Bulak Festival in San Ildefonso town on January 23.

All four festivals will promote local products and culture of the three towns and expected to draw tourists. Mayor Arnel Mendoza of Bustos said Senator Nancy Binay graced the opening of the Minasa Festival yesterday.

He said that the week-long festival is designed to promote “minasa,” a locally manufactured cookie made from egg yolk mixed with old sago plant starch and coco milk. Mendoza said minasa production started in Bustos more than a century ago as some historians claim that its production stemmed partly from the construction of ornate old houses where egg yolk was used as binder.

“Minasa festival is meant to promote minasa, but we also want to showcase the rich history and culture of Bustos and business opportunities here,” he said.

He added that minasa production is connected with the cultural heritage of Bustos town which is known for century old “bahay-na-bato” with ornate stone walls and posts. Mendoza said that some of the old “bahay-na-bato in his town were built in the mid-18th century, about the same time when minasa production took form.

“There is a possibility that minasa production in our town is connected with the construction of old houses because after using egg white for binder, they have no use for the huge amount of egg yolk,” Mendoza said.

In Malolos City, Mayor Christian Natividad said that all is set for the 10-day 4th Fiesta Republica from January 16 to 26. He said that Fiesta Republica will be graced by Chief Justice Lourdes Sereno who will serve as guest speaker for the 115th Republic Day celebrations at the historic Barasoain Church.

“Republic Day is one of the most important days in our history. It marks the day our first republic was born and it is only fitting that celebrate it,” he said. Natividad lamented that while Republic Day should be considered as a national holiday, national leaders hardly pay attention to it.

“We have so many festivals in the Philippines, we even have festivals for vegetables and slippers, we are holding Fiesta Republica to highlight the glory of our distant past,” he said. In Guiguinto, Mayor Ambrosio Cruz said they are also gearing up for the annual Halamanan Festival which they hope to rival other festivals in the country.

The festival was first held in 1990 to promote the garden and landscaping industry in the said town. Dino Balabo

Loose implementation of the law will not stop sales of oversized firecrackers

Despite the personal inspection by Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Alan Purisima of firecracker and pyrotechnics manufacturers in Bulacan, sales of illegal and oversized firecrackers continue to boom.

“It is all for show, and good for nothing,” remarked Celso Cruz of the Philippine Pyrotechnics Manufacturers and Dealers Association Inc., (PPMDAI).

Cruz said that at this time of year, everything has been set in motion, including the sale of illegal pyrotechnics products in preparation for the New Year revelry.

What is not set is the full implementation of the 21-year-old law that is supposed to be implemented by the PNP, he said.

Cruz said the PNP chief should not have visited Bocaue yesterday. The town of Bocaue is dubbed the firecracker capital of the country.

Cruz said Purisima should have ordered his men to just do their job well, beginning with the full implementation of Republic Act 7183 or the Act Regulating Sale, Manufacture, Distribution, and Use of Firecrackers and other Pyrotechnics Devices.

Cruz pointed out the implementation of the law should start with issuance of license to manufacturers of firecrackers. He said this was hardly followed.

Cruz said that once a manufacturer is issued a license, they could purchase raw materials and chemicals that are all controlled substances like nitrates, potassium and sulfur.

This is followed by the actual processing and manufacturing which, Cruz said, is hardly monitored by the PNP.

He also lamented the PNP’s Firearms and Explosive Unit (FEU) does not have a database on how much chemicals a manufacturer has purchased and how much they manufactured.

“It is a very sad fact, the PNP is the administrator of the law and the one enforcing it, but what they are doing is less than to be desired on behalf of the industry,” Cruz said.

The result of this loose implementation of RA 7183, Cruz said, has led to the decline of the firecracker industry that the PNP is supposed to protect and regulate.

He explained that RA 7183 legalized the manufacture of pyrotechnic products to provide livelihood and to regulate the industry to improve product quality.

However, 21 years after the law was approved, the industry is in decline, Cruz said.

“The sad state of the industry lies in the fact that in Bocaue alone, 50 percent of pyrotechnics products are imported masquerading as locally manufactured, 30 percent are illegally manufactured and only 20 percent are legal and locally made,” he said.

Part of the problem is the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) product standard licensing that only takes into consideration finished products but turns a blind eye on the manufacturer’s processing and manufacturing facilities.

“That’s the reason why it is suggested when we are revising the IRR (implementing rules and regulations) that the PNP and DTI must require every manufacturer to present samples of their products before the issuance of the license,” he said.

With regards to the emergence of oversized products like “Goodbye Napoles,” “Super Yolanda,” “Pacquiao” and others, Cruz said the problem lies with the fact that their sales are tolerated by the local police.

“Manufacture of pyrotechnics products takes a while, and if only police will conduct regular monitoring in every barangay in Bulacan, we will never have oversized and destructive products like Napoles and Yolanda,” he said.

Before the Yuletide season began, Cruz said he suggested to police regional director Chief Superintendent Raul Petrasanta to issue a strict policy order to all police chiefs in Central Luzon to seize all oversized and illegal pyrotechnics products.

Cruz, however, said he doesn’t know if Petrasanta heeded his advice.

He also said that while the PNP-FEU is serving as clearing house of all raw materials for the manufacture of pyrotechnics devices, the police unit must be headed by a person familiar with the firecracker industry. –Dino Balabo

(First published by the Philippine Star (www.philstar.com) on Sunday, December 29, 2013 under the title "Mirriam wants firecracker ban in residential areas".  )

Don't buy smuggled, illegal pyrotechnics products

PPMDA's Celso Cruz shows legal fireworks products

MALOLOS CITY—Bulacan fireworks manufacturers warned buyers against smuggled pyrotechnics products which penetrated more than 50 percent of the Philippine market.

As this developed, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) office in Bulacan released names of pyrotechnics manufacturers in the province with product standard (PS) mark and license, while the Department of Health (DOH)continue warn the public against use of firecrackers.

Joven Ong of Dragon Fireworks based in San Rafael, Bulacan said local buyers must carefully check pyrotechnics products that they are buying in preparation for the holidays.

He told DZMM radio in an interview yesterday that smuggled pyrotechnics products has penetrated more than 50 percent of the domestic market.

Ong added that smuggled products are sold at lower prices because its manufacturers and dealers did not pay taxes.

“Our biggest advantage is our quality, hindi namin basta ibinebenta ang aming products, we follow strict quality control,” he said.

As one of the biggest pyrotechnics manufacturers in South East Asia, Ong said that Dragon Fireworks continue to innovate with new products every year.

He also reminded pyrotechnics users to be more responsible by reading instruction before and after lighting fireworks and other pyrotechnics products.

As this developed, DTI-Bulacan released a list of pyrotechnics manufacturers in the province which secured a PS mark and license for their products.

Rhine Aldana, head of DTI-Bulacan said that PS mark is one of the guarantees that a product is of high quality.

For pyrotechnics products, she said that it means that the manufacturers strictly followed guidelines in the manufacture of firecrackers and fireworks.

The PS mark and license recipients in Bulacan based on the DTI list are  Diamond Fireworks in Pulilan town, Dragon Fireworks in San Rafael, Platinum Fireworks  and Phoenix Fireworks in Santa Maria, Tiger Fireworks in Angat, Nation Fireworks in Baliwag, Pyrokreation Fireworks in Sta. Maria, SPM Fireworks in Bocaue, Double L Fireworks in Pandi, Ercy’s Fireworks in San Ildefonso, RF Fireworks in Bocaue, ZN Fireworks, A. Santiago Fireworks, Purity Fireworks all in Baliwag town and Yanco Fireworks in Bocaue town.

Illegal and oversized firecracker

Meanwhile, Health Secretary Enrique Ona reiterated his call against the use of firecrackers during the holidays to avoid injuries, while encouraging community based fireworks displays.

In an interview with DZMM radio,Ona also called on parents to watch their children ansd advised them not to pick unexploded firecrackers.

Earlier, Bulacan Police Director Senior Superintendent Joel Orduna warned buyers and sellers  of oversized and illegal pyrotechnics products.

He said that they have deployed plainclothes police officers who are specifically tasked to act a buyer and illegal pyrotechnics products and arrest sellers.  Dino Balabo

NLEX-SCTEX braces for holiday rush

MALOLOS CITY—The Tollways Management Corporation (TMC) is bracing for increase in traffic volume along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) due to holiday rush.

Francisco Dagohoy, media relations specialist of the TMC, a subsidiary of the Manila North Tollways Corporation (MNTC) and operator of the NLEX said that in the past four weeks they observed increase of traffic volume by at least five percent.

They estimated that starting Monday, December 23 traffic volume along the NLEX will increase by 20 percent from their daily average.

“Traffic is expected to  build up  in the early afternoon until late in the evening of December 23. On the other hand the heavy volume of vehicles going back to Manila is seen on the afternoon of January 1 and morning of January 2,” Dagohoy said in an official statement issued yesterday.

To address increasing traffic volume, NLEX Toll Operations will beef up its manpower during the said days.

Ambulant tellers will be deployed at the Balintawak, Mindanao Avenue and Dau Toll Plazas to facilitate lane transactions.

Spare lanes will also be used to shorten queue of vehicles during peak periods. The Bocaue Toll Plaza will also have ambulant tellers on January 1 and 2 in anticipation of the heavy volume of vehicles going back to Manila on these dates.

NLEX Traffic Operations will also deploy ten stationary patrol vehicles in selected areas in order to keep the road safe and traffic to flow smoothly.

Motorcycle riders and roving patrol vehicles will be ready to assist in the Interchanges in case of traffic build up.

Dagohoy said traffic is expected to build up at the Bocaue Toll Exit in the last week of December.

To manage this, TMC deployed additional manpower in the area beginning December 16.

At SCTEX, the same level of service can be expected. Traffic build up going to the provinces is expected at Tarlac Exit, San Miguel Exit and Tipo Exit as early as December 20, the weekend before Christmas.

Volume of traffic entering the Mabalacat Toll Plaza will even increase on December 23 as well as December 28 and 29.  The affected toll plazas will be adequately manned to address the influx of motorists.

Manual and counter flow lanes will be placed at San Miguel and Tarlac Exit respectively to accommodate the high volume of traffic while Tipo Toll Plaza will also have standby manual lanes in the event that the volume of motorist will increase. 

Heavy volume of Manila bound motorists is expected on the afternoon of December 25 and January 1 and in the early morning of December 26 and January 2 at the Mabalacat Toll Plaza.

Motorists can expect sufficient number of personnel and equipment to shorten the queue at the plaza and maintain the best level of service possible.

Manual toll booths will be deployed at the said toll plaza to address the high volume of traffic.  SCTEX traffic during the holidays is expected to increase by as much as 25% from the normal daily average.

Dagohoy said motorists can also expect adequate number of patrol crews along the carriageway and at the toll plazas to assist in during vehicle breakdown and conduct traffic management. 

Ambulances and tow trucks will be strategically deployed for faster response during incidents.  Also no major maintenance works will be conducted during the holidays so as not to disrupt the traffic flow. 

Portalets will also be stationed at Mabalacat Toll Plaza (before the entry), Tarlac Toll Plaza (after the exit) and two at the Subic bound (Km 21 and 29) portion of the SCTEX.

Advance toll fee collection for vehicles going to the Tarlac Pangasinan La Union Expressway (TPLEX) will be implemented at the Mabalacat Toll Plaza. Thirteen collection points in the area will be deployed from December 20 to 28.  Dino Balabo

MNTC ready to take over SCTEX, and bid for CALA

MALOLOS CITY—Manila North Tollways Corporation (MNTC) is ready to take over operation of the 93-kilometers Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX).

A unit of infrastructure conglomerate Metro Pacific Investment Corporation (MPIC), MNTC is also among the top-bidders who recently pre-qualified for the proposed 40 kilometers Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALA).

Ramoncito Fernandez, president and chief operating officer (CEO) of the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation said that President Benigno Aquino is happy with their proposal on the take over of the SCTEX.

“We are ready anytime. We are just waiting for the formal announcement of Malacanang,” Fernandez said in an exclusive interview on the sidelines of the NLEX-SCTEX first short film contest on Monday.

Part of the MNTC proposal is the 50-50 sharing of revenues and expenses in the operation of the SCTEX, between the MNTC and the government.

Fernandez said that even the rehabilitation of the damage embankment on the Pasig-Potrero River will be shouldered by MNTC and the company.

He added that part of their plant in the full operation of the SCTEX is the integrated toll collection system

Earlier, MNTC offered a P20-Billion concession to the government for the operation of SCTEX which remains under the management of Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA).

As this developed, Fernandez also announced that MNTC is among the four bidders who prequalified for possible operation of the 40 kilometer CALA.

He said that CALA will stretch from Kawit section of the Cavite Expressway (Cavitex) and will pass through Silang town to Sta. Rosa in Laguna  and will eventually interconnect with the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX).

The new toll road is seen to shorten travel time to Tagaytay, but Fernandez said that its main targets are motorists wanting to cross from SLEX to Cavitex and vice versa.

Fernandez said they are hoping that bidding for CALA will be implemented by April.  (Dino Balabo)