This document discusses concerns around implementing internet censorship and filtering programs in the Philippines. It notes that authority over such programs is unclear, with different government agencies potentially overseeing different aspects, leaving it open to abuse. There is also an absence of a strong centralized agency to set ICT policy. The document argues that reforms are needed to address these issues, including establishing the CICT as a line agency to standardize ICT policy and empower people through education before implementing internet censorship measures.

1. Internet Governance, Surveillance, and Social Controls Reform the Social Structure First before looking at internet censorship. Mr. Gener Luis Morada National Advocacy Coordinator I-Café Pilipinas

2. I-Café Pilipinas Challenging the Internet Cafes in the Philippines to do Better Social Advocacy Network Composed of the Internet Café Owners, operators and associations around the country It strives to become their voice on a national level to represent their interest on issues pertaining to efficient operation of their business.

3. Was not surprised when I received your invitation since early this year, I was told that there are initiatives related to the governing the internet will be pushed. Child Anti Pornography Bill is now at the Bicameral level and if all things will push through it is expected that it will be a law by December

4. Countries that are trying to implement internet filtering program Australia, Canada, China, Denmark, European Union, France. Germany, Malaysia ,New Zealand, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden,U.K.and U.S.A. As at March 2002, government policies concerning censorship of the Internet may be broadly grouped into four categories: a) Government policy to encourage Internet industry self-regulation and end-user voluntary use of filtering/blocking technologies.

5. b) Criminal law penalties (fines or jail terms) applicable to content providers who make content "unsuitable for minors" available online. c) Government mandated blocking of access to content deemed unsuitable for adults. d) Government prohibition of public access to the Internet.

6. Philippine Model of Internet Censorship With the passage of the Child Anti Pornography Law the Philippines would be adopting Government mandated blocking of access to content deemed unsuitable for adults. If you would study both bills the centerpiece program is based on the mandatory installation of blocking software on the ISP Level down to the users.

7. The Stand of I-Café Pilipinas Is not against the passage of the Anti-Child Pornography Bill since it is for the welfare of the Filipino Children It is regrettable that we learned about this bill in its final stages since it is now too late to air our concern about its effective implementation.

8. Initiatives at the Internet Café Level Internet Café owners and operators are mandated by local ordinances to prohibit access to pornographic materials that could be found in the internet We are mandated to post signs telling our customers that “Access to Pornographic Materials is not Allowed” Internet Café owners use open DNS as a blocking tool against pornographic sites

9. And Despite these Initiatives House OKs bill against child pornography Philippine Daily InquirerFirst Posted 08:44:00 08/26/2009Filed Under: Children, Legislation, Pornography MANILA, Philippines—The House of Representatives delivered what could be the strongest warning yet to child pornographers, pedophiles, cyber-sex den and unscrupulous Internet café operators by unanimously approving on third reading on Monday the Anti-Child Pornography Bill.

10. House approves anti-child porn billBy DelonPorcalla (The Philippine Star) Updated August 26, 2009 12:00 AM MANILA, Philippines - The House of Representatives, in a unanimous vote, approved yesterday on third and final reading the anti-child pornography bill that will prosecute and penalize pedophiles, pornographers, and operators of cyber-sex dens and Internet cafés who prey on children.

11. Our Concern The Proposed Child Pornography Law would be the starting point of government to regulate content found in the internet. Someday articles and blogs that are critical to the government will be censured thus denying the people of access to information.

12. 18 January 2002, Associated Press reported that: "China has issued its most intrusive Internet controls to date, ordering service providers to screen private e-mail for political content and holding them responsible for subversive postings on their Web sites. ... Under the new rules, general portal sites must install security programs to screen and copy all e-mail messages sent or received by users. Those containing 'sensitive materials' must be turned over to authorities. Providers are also responsible for erasing all prohibited content posted on their Web sites, including online chatrooms and bulletin board

13. The Philippines does not have the right social infrastructure to implement such provision of installation of blocking software. We do have many laws that was passed by congress to protect children and women against abuse. REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9208 Law against Trafficking of Women and Children PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 603 Child Welfare Law Republic Act No. 7610 Child Abuse Law REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9239 - Optical Media Law

14. Question: How far was the Pirated DVD Store selling pornographic materials from the Police Station? Senior Police Inspector Aileen Recla shows off a confiscated copy of alleged sex video of actress Katrina Halili and Dr. Hayden Kho during a police raid yesterday on stalls selling pirated DVDs along Colon Street.

15. In other countries the is a single government agency that is in charge of implementing internet blocking programs. In the Philippines, we don’t have a single government agency that is in charge of the ICT programs in the country. CICT is not yet a government line agency it is just a commission that is why other government agency has ICT programs of their own.

16. Who will be in Charge to implement the mandatory Installation of blocking software According to the Law ISP Level – National Telecommunication Commission CELL LOADS: NTC TO REGULATE UNWANTED TEXTS MANILA, October 24, 2005 (STAR) By JasminUy - Mobile phone subscribers may no longer have to worry about their rapidly diminishing cellphone load credits due to unwanted promotional text messages sent by their networks. This, after the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) announced that it is regulating "text spam" due to complaints.

17. End users like businesses and internet cafes Local Government Units What would prevent them from imposing preferred software filtering products? LTO Early Warning Device Program Business Third Party Insurance Program

18. Summation The Implementation of an Internet filtering program in the Philippines would be open to abuse due to the absence of a strong centralized government agency that would handle the ICT Programs and formulate the ICT Related Polices. The line of authority as to who would be responsible is not clearly defined.

19. It is open to abuse and the Philippines government does not really have a very good image when it comes to respecting the rights of its citizenry. We need to pass the law making the CICT as a line agency that would handle all ICT related policies in order to give it the moral authority to manage ICT related policies in the Philippines

20. Standardized ICT educational standards the would reflect the present realities and empower the people to make an educated choice with regards to internet content. Empowerment to the People through ICT Internet Censorship