MANILA, Philippines — A consumer group on Wednesday appealed to President Marcos to veto the “Konektadong Pinoy bill,” a measure that the Congress has already ratified and is now up for his signature.
Formally known as Senate Bill 2699, or the “Act Establishing a Comprehensive and Inclusive Data Transmission and Connectivity Framework for the Philippines,” the Konektadong Pinoy Bill aims to improve the country’s digital infrastructure and connectivity.
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However, in a statement, CitizenWatch Philippines pointed out that the proposed measure lacked sufficient safeguards against potential data breaches and foreign interference.
These, according to the group, are flaws that could undermine the country’s digital security and consumer protection framework.
“While the intention to expand internet access is commendable, we cannot support a bill that undermines public safety, weakens regulatory oversight, and exposes Filipinos to cybersecurity threats,” the group’s convenor Orlando Oxales said.
Oxales pointed out that the bill removes the long-standing requirement for new telecommunications service providers (telco) to secure a congressional franchise or Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity.
It downgrades the regulatory authority of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) and allows entrants to register without proving financial, technical, or cybersecurity capability.
Oxales said this may lead to unvetted players, including potentially foreign-controlled entities, to operate critical infrastructure without meaningful oversight which could cause “serious security vulnerabilities and even a national crisis situation.”
Furthermore, the bill also no longer obligates new players to provide service in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas, which encourage telcos to focus solely on profitable urban markets.
Oxales even likened the dangers posed by the bill to the country’s experience with Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos), “where lax rules led to national security fallout that we still see in recent arrests of persons linked to Pogo operations committing various crimes.”
“Imagine a sudden breakdown of electronic payment systems we are now so dependent. All business operations will be disrupted. The whole economy at all levels will be affected. All because one new internet provider was able to infect our whole financial sector with a digital time-bomb. A digital sabotage operation against our critical infrastructure will be catastrophic and may even be deadly. Are we prepared for such a scenario?” Oxales warned.
“The bill, in its current form, leaves the Philippines wide open to cyber exploitation and foreign manipulation, putting our digital infrastructure and public trust at serious risk,” he added.
Oxales urged Marcos to veto the bill and to have it refiled and improved in the 20th Congress with stronger safeguards.
“We ask the President: Veto the bill and push for a better version—one that secures our digital future, protects consumers, and ensures a level playing field,” he said.
“We are hopeful that the President will exercise his executive power to avert a potential security crisis. A veto would send a strong signal that while we pursue digital inclusion, it will not come at the cost of consumer safety and national security,” he added. /cb