Monthly Archives: June 2007

Webware Top 100 for 2007

Posted on June 20, 2007 by Atty. Fred| Leave a comment

When this blog started, we talked about the choices in blogging platforms. Our choice, WordPress, got the most most number of votes in the Publishing category of the Webware 100 for 2007. In his analysis, Rafe Needleman said:

“Publishing had no mass consumer brands in the top 10, as most of the other categories did. WordPress got the most votes. I was interested to see the Drupal CMS platform placing high in this category–above the consumer-oriented publishing products Typepad and Vox. Even combined, these two Six Apart services didn’t come close to winning the same number of votes as Drupal.”

On the other hand, you probably know, by now, the winners of the 2007 Philippine Blog Awards. Though this is a bit late, I have to say congratulations to all the winners, including, of course, DJB (Best Socio-Political Blog), Ivan (Best Travel Blog) and PCIJ (Best News & Media Blog).

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Wiretapping case: Taping the Police

Posted on June 20, 2007 by Atty. Fred| 1 Comment

The Patriot News reports (“Taping was legal, defense attorneys in wiretap case say“) that “Cumberland County District Attorney David Freed said he will review all evidence before deciding whether to prosecute an 18-year-old Carlisle man for taping a police officer during a traffic stop.But two defense attorneys versed in wiretapping cases said Brian D. Kelly shouldn’t even have been charged. The state Supreme Court has ruled that taping police in such public situations is legal, they said. xxx Kelly is charged under a state law that forbids the recording of oral communications without consent. That count carries a penalty of up to 7 years in prison.”

The Philippines has its own version of this law – the Anti-Wiretapping Law (Republic Act 4200), which law became well-known because of the Garci Tapes.

So, if you’re flagged down by an officer of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and you record the conversation, would you be liable under the Anti-Wiretapping Law? Read more »

Posted in Politics & Society

2007 Bar Examination Coverage

Posted on June 19, 2007 by Atty. Fred| 7 Comments

I suppose most of the “excited” examinees for the 2007 bar exams are well into their “second reading” by now. (For those who may be wondering if “second reading” is related to something done in church, it is not. “Second reading” refers to the number of times a bar reviewee is supposed to have read his/her books, notes and other review materials. Some say 3 readings is the best, although I would object if anyone says it’s the minimum =) Read more »

Posted in Bar Exams

Anatomy of an Internet Libel Case

Posted on June 17, 2007 by Atty. Fred| Leave a comment

The recent incoming link from Abe’s site alerted me to his post on surviving a libel suit. Considering that these cases had been resolved and there’s no appeal/reconsideration (at least none that I know of), let’s have a discussion for purely reportorial and academic reasons.

The brief introduction on this series is Part I.

There were actually two complaints for libel – one for each of the two main respondents – before the Pasig City Prosecutor’s Office. The complaints are based on Article 353 of the Revised Penal Code, which defines libel as a public and malicious imputation of a crime, or of a vice or defect, real or imaginary, or any act, omission, condition, status, or circumstance tending to cause the dishonor, discredit, or contempt of a natural or juridical person, or to blacken the memory of one who is dead. Read more »

Posted in Criminal Law

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