Transmitters of Porn Over The Internet To Minors Must Be Penalized – Legarda

SENATOR LOREN LEGARDA TODAY PROPOSED THAT THE PENALTY OF IMPRISONMENT AND A FINE OF UP TO P500,000 BE IMPOSED TO THOSE PERSONS WHO TRANSMIT INDECENT AND IMMORAL PORNOGRAPHIC MATERIALS TO MINORS THROUGH ELECTRONIC MAIL AND OTHER MEANS OF COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY.
“Schools have included computer classes in their curriculum thus making the children of today computer and internet savy. Unfortunately, children are not aware of the predators that lurk within the world wide web. Just as they are protected from the physical dangers, children should also be protected from virtual menaces.”
The Legarda bill stipulates that there will be a violation if a remote computer facility operator, electronic communications service provider, electronic bulletin board service provider who, with knowledge of the character of the material, knowingly transmits, offers or attempts to transmit from the remote computer facility, electronic communications service, or electronic bulletin board service provider a communication that contains indecent material to a person under 18 years of age.
Legarda said indecent materials covered by her bill means obscene literature, indecent or immoral plays, scenes, acts, or shows, whether live or in film which:
a. glorify criminals or condone crimes;
b. serve no other purpose but to satisfy the market of violence, lust or pornography;
c. offend any race or religion;
d. tend to abet traffic in and use of prohibited drugs; and
e. are contrary to law, public order, morals, good customs, established policies, lawful order, decrees and edicts.
“Everything and everyone are within reach with a click of a mouse button. The internet, world wide web and other technological advancements have allowed communications to swiftly cross geographic and national borders in a matter of seconds.”
“The passage of this bill into law can no longer wait. Our children must be protected from dangerously being at the receiving end of computer pornography.”