House Passes Modernized Anti-Spy Bill Amid Civil Liberties Concerns

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives on Thursday passed on final reading a bill modernizing the country’s anti-espionage laws, despite concerns from some lawmakers that its broad definition of spying could be used to crack down on dissent. With 224 lawmakers voting for House Bill No. 9642 and 10 against, the lower chamber approved the measure that seeks to address intelligence gathering activities that threaten national security. However, some legislators voiced apprehension that the bill’s broad definition of spying could potentially be weaponized against critics of the government, including journalists and activists. They argued that an ambiguous definition might lead to government surveillance that infringes upon citizens’ fundamental rights to free speech and expression. In recent years, the Philippines has grappled with balancing national security imperatives with the protection of civil liberties, especially in the face of evolving surveillance technologies. The passage of this bill, while intended to bolster security, has drawn cautious remarks from civil society organizations concerned about potential misuse. The measure will now be transmitted to the Senate for its own legislative process. The deliberations in the upper chamber will be closely watched to see how the concerns raised by some representatives regarding civil rights and freedoms will be addressed. Source: Inquirer NewsInfo