The Philippine Medical Association, albeit not directly involved in Ruby’s case,
suspended the medical doctor for two years for “conduct offensive to the
profession.”The Professional Regulatory Commission revoked the doctor’s license,
citing “immorality and dishonorable and/or unethical conduct offensive to
the profession” considering that Ruby used to be one of his patients. (The PRC
reinstated his license in 2014 following what it said was a prescribed two-year
waiting period to re-apply for a license).
Because the case involved a TV personality and a celebrity doctor, it attracted a lot
of publicity and drew support from some senators who initiated an inquiry into what
one legislator described as an act of exploitation.
Martha’s case involved fewer people and took a shorter time to resolve because
the Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act was already in place then (which was not
the case when Ruby sought redress). One day after the uploading and spreading of
Martha’s photos, her legal counsel issued public demand letters to news networks,
bloggers, Yahoo which has office in the Philippines, and Facebook to remove the
private photos from their sites. The public demand letter carried a warning to the
public that Martha is represented by a lawyer and would file a case if the photos were
spread further and not taken down. The legal counsel cited the Anti-Photo and Video
Voyeurism Act. Bloggers and news networks took down or blurred the photos within
24 hours upon receipt of the public demand letter.
The case of child cyber-pornography in Cordova was more complicated as it
involved not just a single individual but several minors who were coerced to pose
naked in front of a webcam. It also involved the Anti-Human Trafficking Task
Force that conducted raids on houses suspected of running cyber-pornography
operations, based on reports from the community. Complaints were reported to the
nearest police station, local social welfare office, or the barangay office. Witnesses
signed affidavits attesting to the veracity or knowledge of the case. Rescued
children were placed under the custody of Social Welfare Department and its Child
Rights Protection Unit talked to the children about their experiences. The cases
were also referred to local NGOs that provide legal assistance.
12
<End Violence: Women’s Rights and Safety Online>
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