THE Supreme Court on Tuesday denied a plea for the issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) as recently sought by multi-sectoral groups that challenged the legality of the SIM Registration Law.
Instead, the SC, in en banc resolution, required the respondents to file their comment on the petition lodged by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) and several other groups within 10 days from actual receipt of notice.
Apart from the National Telecommunications Commission, National Privacy Commision, Department of Information and Communications Technology, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Education, Globe Telecom Inc., Smart Communications, Inc., PLDT Inc., Dito Telecommunity Corporation, Digitel Mobile Philippines Inc., doing business as Sun Cellular, and Cherry Mobile Communications Inc.
Last week, representatives from various sectors have filed a petition with the SC challenging the legality of the SIM Registration Law, claiming that they will lose fundamental rights with the full implementation of the legislation.
The groups have asked the tribunal to issue a temporary restraining order while the petition is pending.
The petitioners include the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, journalist Ronalyn V. Olea, Lumad leader and former Bayan Muna Partylist representative Eufemia C. Cullamat, BAYAN Secretary-General Renato Reyes Jr., mother of two tokhang victims Llorre Benidicto Pasco, transgender man Dean Matthias Razi Timtiman Alea, information technology professional Maded Batara III of Junk SIM Registration Network, fisherfolk leader Alberto Roldan of PAMALAKAYA, peasant leader Danilo Hernandez Ramos of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, and lawyer Michael Christopher de Castro.
In the 59-page petition, the petitioners argue that the mandatory SIM registration restricts the constitutionally-guaranteed freedom of speech and violates the right against unreasonable searches and seizures and the right to substantive due process.
They assert the unconstitutionality of the SIM Registration Law, which they believe will disenfranchise at least 100 million unregistered Filipinos.
Maded Batara III, spokesperson of the Junk SIM Registration Network, stated that access to communication is directly tied to the freedom of speech, and requiring registration will heavily restrict this fundamental freedom for many Filipinos who are unable to register due to logistical or privacy concerns.
The petitioners argued that the SIM Registration Law conditions the exercise of speech through the use of SIM cards and imposes a system of prior restraint through mandatory registration.
Non-disclosure of the required information results in enforced silence, effectively turning every citizen into a suspected criminal.
A group of information technology and computer professionals also backed the petition, saying that SIM registration is a huge threat to the data privacy of the common Filipino.
DOTr-DICT MOU to elevate transport systems to world-class standards
THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Department of Information and Communications Technology’s (DICT) agreement will help transport infrastructure projects to be managed better and operated through interconnection and integration with the latter’s systems, according to Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista.
At the Inter-Government Agency Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Ceremonial Signing for E-Governance, Secretary Bautista said the DICT’s “crucial assistance” will keep the transport infrastructure projects on track.
“Digitalizing the implementation and construction of these projects will not only keep us on track, but also ensure adherence to high standards of safety, comfort, reliability, and efficiency,” Secretary Bautista said.
Secretary Bautista said the initiative will likewise facilitate the integration and interconnection of pertinent systems and applications.
He added that the DOTr’s goal of digital transformation “can be achieved sooner” with the assistance from DICT.
Under the MOU, the DICT will help DOTr identify and develop new and existing systems and applications to ensure effective and efficient delivery of the agency’s service to the public.
The agreement will also help DOTr ensure that identified and existing applications and systems will be integrated with the applications and systems of the DICT.
The DICT will likewise develop additional applications and systems for the DOTr, and provide consultations and trainings to personnel for enhancing and facilitating systems and applications for integration and interconnection.
BI agents nab Japanese man wanted for theft
THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced the arrest of a Japanese national wanted by authorities in Tokyo for involvement in financial fraud.
In a statement, Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco identified the fugitive as Sato Shohei, 32, who was arrested last April 24 along Newport Blvd., Pasay City by operatives from the BI’s Fugitive Search Unit (FSU).
Tansingco said the arresting agents were armed with a warrant, which he issued pursuant to a summary deportation order that the BI Board of Commissioners issued against Shohei last February.
“He was ordered deported after the Japanese government sought our assistance in locating and arresting him, so he can be deported to his country to stand trial for his alleged crimes,” the BI Chief said.
He added that Shohei was already placed in the immigration blacklist, thus he is perpetually banned from re-entering the country for being an undesirable alien.
According to BI-FSU Acting Chief Rendel Ryan Sy, Shohei was issued an arrest warrant by a summary court in Tokyo where a case for theft was filed against him October last year.
Japanese authorities have reportedly alleged that Shohei conspired with several other accomplices in stealing money from the bank accounts of victims, whose ATM cards they obtained by misrepresenting themselves as police officers or financial service agency representatives.
The fugitive is currently detained at the BI Warden Facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City while awaiting deportation.
Gov’t preparing to bring Pinoys out of Sudan following 72-hour ceasefire declaration
THE government is doing the necessary preparations in anticipation of the 72-hour ceasefire declared in Sudan, hoping it could provide an opportunity to bring home Filipinos stuck in the war-torn country, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Tuesday.
President Marcos made the remarks following a meeting with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Department of National Defense (DND) on current issues including the the Sudan situation, particularly on how the government can bring Filipinos to safety.
“Right now, we are hoping that the 72-hour ceasefire that has been declared will hold and we will — we are preparing ourselves,” President Marcos said.
“So we’re trying — we’re watching this situation very, very closely and to see if there’s a window of opportunity na mailabas natin ang mga Philippine nationals natin.”
The President said Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople is on her way to the region in anticipation of the ceasefire effectivity, hoping to take advantage of the lull in the fighting to move people out of Sudan.
“Mailabas natin ang mga tao natin. So that’s what we’re working on now. Ang mahirap is that even the land routes are not completely safe. As yet, ‘yung mga airport binomba pa, hindi talaga magamit. So we are still trying to find alternative ways,” the President said.
The Philippine government, he added, is looking at Saudi Arabia and Djibouti in East Africa although the original plan was to take Filipinos to Cairo, Egypt, despite being a longer route than other locations.
The US announced on Monday that the warring factions in Sudan had agreed to a 72-hour ceasefire starting at midnight on April 24.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said the agreement between the Sudanese Armed Forces, or SAF, and the Rapid Support Forces, or RSF, came following intense negotiation.
The US, Blinken said, will coordinate with regional and international partners, and Sudanese civilian stakeholders to assist in the creation of a committee to oversee the negotiation, conclusion, and implementation of a permanent cessation of hostilities and humanitarian arrangements in Sudan.
