Duda ang ilang kongresista na papasa ang tinaguriang “anti-selfie” bill sa Kamara dahil itinuturing ito ng mga mambabatas bilang paglabag sa malayang pamamahayag.
“We have to carefully study this proposal since some of the grounds constituting the violations are vague and too broad and may constitute prior restraint and may pose further Constitutional problems,” ayon kay AKO BICOL Party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe.
Ang House Bill (HB) No. 4807 na may titulong “An Act protecting against personal intrusion by any person with intent to gain or profit there from” ay iniakda ni Cagayan de Oro City 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez na noong Agosto 12 ay pumasa na sa ikalawang pagbasa sa Kamara.
Subalit iginiit ni Batocabe, isang abogado at kaalyado ng administrasyon, na dapat tawagin ang panukala bilang “anti-paparazzi” sa halip na “anti-selfie” bill.
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Iginiit naman ni Ifugao Rep. Teddy Brawner Baguilat Jr. na posibleng makulong ang mga inosenteng mobile phone user dahil sa pag-upload ng mga larawan sa Facebook o Instagram.
“Just reading the provisions, just being a zealous fan and recording a celebrity’s activities could land one in jail. Ithink regulation on social media is needed but this has to be studied cautiously and thoroughly to make sure that no basic liberties are compromised,” ayon kay Baguilat.
“I think we need more definitions and qualifications. [Provisions] could be broad but the discussions will clarify things,” pahayag ni Baguilat.
Naniniwala rin si 1-BAP Party-list Rep. Silvestre Bello III, dating solicitor general at justice secretary, na isang paglabag sa freedom of expression ang HB 4807 at wala itong puwang sa demokrasya. - Ellson A. Quismorio
