AND so the detrimental House Bill 4807 or the “Anti-Selfie Bill” gets a “withdrawal of support” by none other than Cagayan de Oro 2nd District Representative Rufus Rodriguez himself, who is also one of the main authors of the bill itself, as reported by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ).
The House Bill with a description as an “Act of to Provide Protection From Personal Intrusion for Commercial Purposes,” would have moved to the third and final reading had it not earned the objection of the public especially in the sector of videographers, photographers and media practitioners crying foul of the chilling effect of crippling press freedom and expression over the ambiguous definition of “right to privacy.”
In the PCIJ report, it stated that Rodriguez “re-committed” the bill, which gives public stakeholders the chance to be heard through consultations and public hearings.
This an opportunity that groups can have dialogues with representatives responsible for the filing of this bill, including Rodriguez’s brother, Abante Mindanao Party-list Representative Maximo Rodriguez, with co-authors, Cebu 3rd District Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia, Buhay partylist Rep. Jose Atienza, Bulacan 4th District Rep. Linabelle Ruth Villarica, Pangasinan 2nd District Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil, and Misamis Occidental 1st district Rep. Jorge Almonte, who also chairs the committee on public information.
It is good to know that Rep. Rufus Rodriguez made an act of withdrawal, and somehow “listened” to the general sentiment of the public. Like the Filipino Special Forces who escaped from the Syrian rebels in Golan Heights, not all acts of retreat is cowardice but rather the opposite, because it takes courage to eat one’s pride, and it also means going back to reflect and rethink of one’s self for better improvement.
Like that song from Kenny Rogers’ “Coward of the County” lyrics go: “… walk away from trouble if you can; Now it don't mean you're weak, If you turn the other cheek; And I hope you're old enough to understand, Son, you don't have to fight to be a man.”
As to Rep. Rufus and Maxie Rodriguez, you don’t have to file voluminous number of bills just to be called good and working Congressmen, but it will always be worth every paper if these bills truly serve the interest and welfare of the people, bills like Freedom of Information and Anti-Political Dynasties, and we hope you can use your divine influences to lobby it with your peers in the House of Representatives.
At the end of the day, whatever filed in Congress to become laws of the land, it is the people who will be facing the consequences, and the laws of the land should give the people benefits– especially those living in poverty.
The role of the media, being the Fourth Estate in a democratic Republic of the Philippines, and guided by ethics and professionalism must not be hindered by giving out the truth for the public’s interest.
More so the people whose path lead them to capture moving and still pictures to evoke the different shades of humanity in our society; we need them as reflections of our humanity.
[Email: nefluczon@gmail.com]