Temere Animus

The Rise of Cybercrime in the Philippines Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit 5 RACU 5 | Facebook As digital technology advances, criminals exploit information and communications technology (ICT) to commit cybercrimes , leaving victims vulnerable to exploitation, coercion, and harassment. The recent cybercrime case in Naga City exemplifies the dangers lurking behind online interactions. On March 4, 2024 , the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit 5 (RACU 5) successfully conducted a joint entrapment operation , leading to the arrest of an individual identified as alias Paul . The suspect was charged with Grave Coercion (Article 286, Revised Penal Code), Section 12 of RA 11313 (Safe Spaces Act), in relation to Section 6 of RA 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012). Cybercrime Case Overview: Coercion Using ICT The victim met the suspect online, and after engaging in physical intimacy , things took a dark turn when the suspect forcibly took the victim’s phone and refused to return it . ✔ Secretly R...

In today’s digital landscape, fake news has become a serious threat to public order and national security . The Philippine legal framework provides mechanisms to prosecute individuals spreading false information , particularly when it causes harm or undue distress to others. Legal Framework Against Fake News 📌 Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 (RA 10175) ✔ Covers online libel and fraud under Section 4. ✔ Moreover, any crimes committed in violation of RPC (Revised Penal Code) and/or SPL (Special Penal Laws) via information and communications technology (ICT) , penalties are increased under Section 6 . 📌 Revised Penal Code – Article 154 (Unlawful Use of Publication and Utterances) in relation to Sec. 6 of RA 10175  ✔ Penalizes the publication or spreading of false information that: Endangers public order Harms state interests Encourages disobedience to the law ✔ Punishable by arresto mayor (one month to six months imprisonment) and a fine ranging from P40,000 to P200,0...

Legal documents are presumed valid and authentic once notarized, but what happens when forgery is involved ? The Supreme Court (SC) recently clarified that notarization does not cure a fraudulent document , affirming the principle that forged agreements remain unenforceable , no matter their notarial formality . Background of the Case In the case of Gil G. Chua vs. Bank of Commerce , the SC’s Second Division , led by Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier , ruled that Chua was not liable for a PHP 150 million loan secured by Interbrand Logistics and Distribution, Inc. The loan was backed by notarized Continuing Surety Agreements (CSA) , with Chua named as a surety . Unlike the other signatories, Chua was neither an officer, director, nor shareholder of Interbrand. When Interbrand defaulted , the Bank of Commerce sued all sureties , including Chua. Chua denied any involvement , stating he never signed the CSA or appeared before a notary public . Both the Regional Trial Court (RTC)...

The statement "good and evil is always subjective" is well-supported by logic, psychology, and cultural analysis. Morality is deeply context-dependent , influenced by individual perspectives, cultural traditions, and societal values . What one group considers morally justifiable may be condemned by another, revealing the fluidity of ethical judgments . Why Good and Evil Are Subjective ✔️ Cultural Relativity Different societies shape their own moral codes, often rooted in tradition, religion, and historical context . For instance: In some cultures , honor killings are justified as a means of preserving family reputation. In others , such acts are viewed as cold-blooded murder. This variation underscores how moral values are not universal but culturally constructed . ✔️ Situational Ethics The morality of an action depends on its context . Consider the act of killing : Murder is widely condemned. Killing in self-defense is generally accepted as justifiable. The intentio...