Enrile takes ‘crash course’ in technology

MANILA, Philippines – In the aftermath of controversies on the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 and “Sottocopy,” Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile said Friday, November 23, that he is still taking a “crash course” in modern technology after admitting that he does not how to blog, tweet, send an email or use Facebook. 

The 88-year-old lawmaker made the “confession” in a speech at the University of the Philippines College of Law Homecoming in Makati. 

“Thus, when the issue on plagiarism against a colleague arose, I had to ask my staff to brief me about what ‘blogging’ means. I do not know how to send an ‘e-mail.’ I do not know how to ‘google’. I do not know how to ‘tweet’. And I do not know how to use ‘Facebook’. The only thing I knew about my computer was to use it like a typewriter, but it did serve me well in the 4 years it took me to write my memoirs.” he said.

“And so, at the ripe old age of 88, I now have to take a crash course on how these new and fantastic ways of communication and publication via the Internet work and operate,” he added.

Enrile was referring to his fellow Senator Vicente Sotto III, who is facing an ethics complaint for 9 instances of plagiarism, including posts from United States-based bloggers and a speech made by the late US Senator Robert Kennedy. 

The Senate President received criticisms for downplaying the plagiarism allegations against his colleague but changed his tune a day after and pushed for a Senate probe against Sotto. 

Although the veteran politician has a steep learning curve to accomplish, Enrile said he promises to “soon have a more enlightened view” on the Cybercrime Law,which has faced stern opposition from lawyers and media organizations for its ambiguities, especially on “online libel.”  Enrile has voiced support for the controversial provision. 

“The real and more complicated challenge before us is to ‘ride the tiger,’ in the words of the Italian traditionalist philosopher Julius Evola,” Enrile said.

“Julius Evola argues that in order to survive in the modern world, an enlightened or ‘differentiated man’ should ‘ride the tiger.’ As a man, by holding onto the tiger’s back may survive the confrontation, so too might a man, by letting the world take him on its inexorable path be able to turn the destructive forces around him into a kind of inner liberation. Therefore, his view is that there always exists the ability for the individual person to live his life always looking above himself and thus achieving enlightenment,” he added.

The Supreme Court on October 9 issued a 120-day temporary restraining order against the Cybercrime Prevention Act. – Rappler.com