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Philippine Congress approves electronic commerce bill |
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June 9, 2000
MANILA, JUNE 8 (AP) - Both houses of the Philippine Congress approved Thursday a final version of a bill that provides a legal framework for electronic commerce, including penalties for computer crimes.
Legislators were spurred to pass the bill after the "ILOVEYOU" computer virus, which spread last month to millions of computer systems worldwide, was traced to the Philippines.
President Joseph Estrada is expected to sign the e-commerce bill into law next week, said Senator Ramon Magsaysay Jr., one of its authors.
Sponsors say the bill will facilitate the exchange of information and transactions through electronic media, promote security of electronic documents, and penalize hacking and electronic forgery.
Under the bill, hackers and those who spread computer viruses can be fined a minimum of 100,000 pesos (dlrs 2,350) and a maximum "commensurate" with the damage caused, and can be imprisoned up to three years.
The bill does not apply retroactively to those involved in the "Love Bug" virus. Prosecutors have been frustrated in their pursuit of the case by a lack of applicable laws.
Magsaysay said the e-commerce law will also promote efficiency in government with the acceptance of electronic documents.
"We hope the Electronic Commerce Law will significantly influence and change the landscape of business in the country toward technological modernization and make government efficient for ordinary citizens," Magsaysay said.
The House of Representatives and Senate had previously approved slightly different versions of the bill, which were consolidated and ratified by both houses Thursday.
House Majority Leader Eduardo Gullas said the bill will make it easier for small and medium-size companies to compete with multinational corporations in the global market place. |