Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II condemns opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros after his alleged text exchanges with a former congressman were disclosed to the public.
"I condemn to the highest degree this shameless violation of a citizen’s right to the privacy of communications," Aguirre said.
He expressed how he was afraid on how easy the privacy in communication will just be disregarded.
It was during a privilege speech of Hontiveros on Monday afternoon at the Senate when she discovered the secretary's plot when a photo taken by a media people came into her.
Apparently, an spectator handed down to her an enhanced version when a part of the controversial conversation was captured.
Aguirre appears to be texting a certain "Cong. Jing," that was later on identified as former Negros Oriental representative Jacinto "Jing" Paras.
Based on the said alleged image, Aguirre told Cong. Jing to expedite their case against Hontiveros.
Aguirre pointed out that an unauthorized prying of private text messages and the subsequent act of exposing it in public, without permission, is a violation of Republic Act 4200 or the Anti-Wire Tapping Act.
He also appalled the move of the Senator to use that image and accuse him unethical and tag it as an unbecoming of a public servant.
"That a public servant will conveniently resort to the protective mantle of a privilege speech makes it more despicable and diabolical," he said.
Aguirre added that his experience is an example of how easy it was to be a victim of invasion of privacy.
"No one can feel safe because no one is safe not even our Senators. Who will be next?" Aguirre said.
He mulls to take legal action against those who allegedly violated his constitutional rights.
"I am considering all my options open. I could file criminal, civil and administrative cases against all persons responsible," he said.
Source: GMA
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