Miriam's prediction

Sen. Miriam D. Santiago predicts that the Supreme Court will declare the Cybercrime Prevention Act as unconstitutional for limiting free speech and being too vague.

Sen. Miriam Santiago said that the SC would rule against the law because of the vague provisions that impose punishment without specifying the punishable act.

Prior censorship, which she said is the effect of the Cybercrime Act, “violates the overbreadth doctrine and the vagueness doctrine in constitutional law.”

“Under the overbreadth doctrine, since the law is so broadly written that it deters free expression, then the Supreme Court will strike it down on its face, because of its chilling effect,” said Santiago.

Again, we ask what were Miriam and 21 Senators doing when the bill was being debated on the Senate floor. Were they listening or were they absent and also the members of the bicameral committee? Did they review all the provisions? At least Malacañang defends the law they approved, but if the SC strikes down the law as unconstitutional, then, it is another legal setback for the legal team of the Office of the President. The President is not a lawyer but his legal officers headed by Executive Secretary Jojo Ochoa are the ones responsible to see that everything is in order, that what the President is signing is in order and not null and void.

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POLITICAL UPDATE . . Bataan Gov. Enrique “Tet” Garcia has recovered from a stroke and has been prevailed upon by leaders to run for Congress in the 2nd District of Bataan as NUP candidate. He will be opposed by exGov. Ding Roman (NPC).

Outgoing Cong. Abet Garcia (NUP) will run for Governor against Boy Roman (NPC). Vice Gov. Bondying Pascual has teamed up with Abet Garcia. Jun Uy is Roman’s Vice Governor.

Congw. Herminia Roman is running again in the 1st District and has joined the Garcia camp. Gela Garcia, daughter of Tet Garcia is running for Mayor of Dinalupihan.

President Aquino proclaimed former Gov. Among Ed Panlilio as LP candidate for Governor in Pampanga against Lilia “Baby” Pineda. Atty. Vivian Dabu will oppose Rep. Gloria M. Arroyo for Congresswoman of the 2nd District.

Councilor Shalani Soledad Romulo is running for Congress against Rep. Magtanggol Guniguindo in the 2nd District of Valenzuela. Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian is running for Congress in the 1st District.

Caloocan Vice Mayor Edgar Erice has decided to run for Congress as an LP in the 2nd District, dropping his mayoralty bid.

It’s a three-cornered fight in Pasay between Mayor Antonio Calixto (LP) Peewee Trinidad (NP) and George del Rosario (NPC).

Muntinlupa Mayor Aldrin San Pedro is the UNA candidate. He will be opposed by Jaime Fresnedi.

Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson is not running for reelection. He fielded his youngest son Rep. Ryan Singson to run for Governor in his place. Former Cong. Ronald Singson is running for Congress in the 1st District while ex Rep. Eric Singson will try to reclaim his seat in the 2nd District.

The Certificate of Nomination of Atty. Leni Robredo as LP candidate for Congress was dated Sept. 29.

Board Member Christopher “Boyet” de Leon (LP) is running for Congress in the 2nd District of Batangas against Jun Berberabe (UNA). Former Rep. Vicky Reyes is running again in the 3rd district.

Rep. Carlo Nograles (Davao 2nd District) will be opposed by Vice Mayor Louie Bonguyan after Mayor Sarah Duterte decided not to run.

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NO DAANG MATUWID . . The Commission on Audit reported that P101.8 billion was lost due to graft last year.

Unauthorized/irregular expenses, unliquidated cash advances, violations of the Procurement Act, under assessment/under collections, unutilized/ineffective projects and lack of appropriation constituted the most number of cases that suffered losses, the COA reported.

Topping the list of losses were the Bureau of Customs and DSWD.

The surprising COA report puts into serious question the claims of success in the anti corruption campaign.

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HAVE A HEART . . Dr. Nora Legaspi, Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) said last Friday that GMA’s health is worse now. She has lost a lot of weight and is very frail.

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte said that she should be confined at VMMC where medical attention is readily available.

VMMC doctors said that GMA is suffering from dehydration because of poor oral intake. She should be allowed to go abroad.

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CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES . . We are pleased to note that many socially responsible companies are giving back to the community in the area of education, which has always been a major advocacy of your columnist. One shining example is Megaworld Foundation, the socio-civic arm of Mr. Andrew Tan’s Megaworld Corporation.

Megaworld Foundation, Inc. is a non-stock, non-profit organization which aims to contribute to the country’s development, primarily by promoting education through scholarship programs for financially handicapped but deserving students. It also supports causes that promote poverty alleviation, people empowerment, social justice, good governance, environmental conservation, and other noble undertakings.

The foundation also aims to provide society with a new generation of professionals whose drive for excellence equals their passions for community involvement. Their academic skills and knowledge applied to the fields of Engineering, Architecture, Interior Design, Information Technology, Accountancy, Finance, Business and Legal courses, combined with the urgency to be socially responsible, shall be the foundation’s contribution to the country’s industrial advancement and economic progress.

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TIDBITS . . . Greetings to readers: Mayor Homer Saquilayan of Imus, Board Members Anthony Astillero and Rod Camia, Vice Mayor Pat Villena, S.B. Jeff Asistio, Barangay Chairman Raymond Camana, S.B. Ina Camerino, S.B. Alex San Juan and S.B. Elena Damaso, all of Imus.

Happy birthday to German “Kuya Germs” Moreno of GMA-7 and to Sen. Chiz Escudero.