Senate minority alarmed over email breach

FILE: “These incidents seem to form part of a pattern to pin the political opposition for imaginary destabilization attempts. These are cause for concern as Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre spearheaded the creation of the Citizen National Guard, which says that dissent is destabilization,” it added. (Photo: Senate of the Philippines/Facebook)

Opposition senators on Thursday said they are “seriously concerned” about the hacking incidents on the email addresses of the staff of Sen. Kiko Pangilinan and Sen. Bam Aquino as these “seem to form part of a pattern to pin the political opposition for imaginary destabilization attempts.

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In a statement, the Senate minority also said the official email addresses for releasing media statements of Pangilinan and the liberal party were also hacked.

“We in the political opposition are seriously concerned about several hacking incidents concerning the email addresses of our staff from the offices of Senators Kiko Pangilinan and Bam Aquino, and just now the official email addresses for releasing media statements of Sen. Pangilinan and the Liberal Party,” the statement read.

“These are cause for concern as Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre spearheaded the creation of the Citizen National Guard, which says that dissent is destabilization,” it added.

The senators also emphasized that there is no destabilization plot, saying dissent is not destabilization and that dissent is indispensable in a democracy.

“Constitutional democracy protects the small voice, including the minority and the individual citizen, vis-a-vis the many and especially the all-powerful state,” the statement said.

“Democracy ensures that the small voice is heard and not harassed to silence,” it added.

The minority has also asked for the help of the Senate President and the Senate sergeant-at-arms to investigate and to secure the services of experts.

“The nature of the breach in all instances is the same: Unauthorized users sent emails using the staff and party addresses. We have reported previous incidents to the National Bureau of Investigation and we await updates on the matter,” the statement read.