Title
Supreme Court
Disini, Jr. vs. Secretary of Justice
Case
G.R. No. 203335
Decision Date
Feb 18, 2014
The Supreme Court upheld parts of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 but struck down provisions violating free speech, privacy, and due process, ensuring constitutional safeguards in cyberspace regulation.

Case Digest (G.R. No. 203335)
Expanded Legal Reasoning Model

Facts:

  • Consolidation of Petitions
    • Multiple petitions (G.R. Nos. 203335, 203299, 203306, 203359, 203378, 203391, 203407, 203440, 203453, 203454, 203469, 203501, 203509, 203515, 203518) filed by a wide array of individuals and organizations (bloggers, lawyers, public figures, legislators, civil‐society groups).
    • Respondents named include: the President, the Executive Secretary, Secretaries of Justice, DILG, Budget & Management, DOST‐ICTO Executive Director, PNP Chief, NBI Director, COMELEC, Senate, and House of Representatives.
  • Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 (RA 10175)
    • Aims to punish cybercrimes under four categories: (a) Offenses against confidentiality, integrity & availability of computer data/systems; (b) Computer‐related offenses; (c) Content‐related offenses; (d) Other offenses (abetting, attempt).
    • Establishes procedural powers: real‐time data collection, data preservation, disclosure orders, search & seizure of computer data, take‐down orders.
    • Creates the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC).
  • Procedural Posture
    • The Supreme Court, sitting En Banc, issued a temporary restraining order (Oct. 9, 2012; extended Feb. 5, 2013) enjoining implementation of RA 10175 pending resolution of the petitions.

Issues:

  • Substantive Validity
    • Are Sections 4(a)(1)–(6), 4(b)(1)–(3), 4(c)(1)–(4) of RA 10175 (crimes like illegal access, data interference, cybersex, child pornography, unsolicited communications, cyberlibel) constitutional?
  • Accessory and Penalty Provisions
    • Is Section 5 (abetting & attempt), Section 6 (higher penalties for ICT‐enabled crimes), and Section 7 (dual liability under RA 10175 and RPC) valid?
  • Procedural Powers
    • Are Sections 12 (real‐time traffic‐data collection), 13 (data preservation), 14 (data disclosure), 15 (computer search & seizure), 17 (data destruction), 19 (take‐down/blocking orders), and 20 (obstruction of justice) constitutional?

Ruling:

  • (Subscriber-Only)

Ratio:

  • (Subscriber-Only)

Doctrine:

  • (Subscriber-Only)

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