KIKO LAUDS SUPREME COURT APPROVAL OF WRIT OF HABEAS DATA

Senate Majority Leader and Independent senator Kiko Pangilinan today commended the Supreme Court's approval of the draft rules implementing the writ of habeas data, emphasizing that the citizens generally have "a right to be left alone" as long as they are not committing illegal acts.

"The approval of the draft rules on the implementation of the writ of habeas data is a vital and crucial step towards a full and meaningful enforcement of the people's basic constitutional rights since they would have a ready remedy as against the unnecessary and unreasonable intrusions of the State. The penumbral right to privacy is paramount for private citizens; this is the very essence of freedom and democracy," Kiko said.

The writ of habeas data is a remedy available to any person whose right to privacy in life, liberty or security is violated or threatened by an unlawful act or omission of a public official or employee, or of a private individual or entity engaged in the gathering, collecting or storing of data or information regarding the person, family, home and correspondence of the aggrieved party.

Kiko furthers that writ of habeas data ensures and safeguards individuals that agents of the government will not pry upon their lawful and private concerns.

Under the said writ, an individual may move for the updating, rectification, suppression or destruction of the database or information or files kept by the concerned information gathering entity.