Groups raise alarm over digital connectivity bill

The Philippine Star

February 9, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines —  A proposed bill designed to boost digital connectivity in the Philippines is raising alarms among geopolitical experts and consumer groups, saying that its oversight loopholes could invite foreign espionage, cyberattacks and widespread scam syndicates.

Certified as urgent by President  Marcos, Senate Bill 2699, or the Konektadong Pinoy Act, aims to modernize data transmission infrastructure. However, experts warned that by weakening regulatory oversight, the bill could expose the nation’s telecommunications networks to serious security threats.

In a statement, Victor Andres Manhit, president of the international think tank Stratbase Institute, cautioned that the bill’s deregulation of the country’s radio frequency spectrum – a critical provision – would leave the digital infrastructure vulnerable to exploitation by malicious foreign actors. “We want to be connected, but not at the cost of our security,” Manhit warned. “Removing the requirement for a legislative franchise to access the country’s radio frequencies weakens safeguards and opens the door to foreign entities with potentially harmful intentions,” he said.

Manhit said that the country’s digital networks must be protected by robust policy and technology that would protect our government and private institutions from malevolent foreign infiltration.

Manhit pointed out that the bill does not align with the safeguards outlined in the Public Services Act, which ensures that vital infrastructure remains under strict regulatory oversight. “We need to strengthen the security of our digital backbone, not expose it to unchecked foreign influence,” he said.

Beyond national security risks, consumer protection advocate  Patrick Climaco, secretary general of Konsyumer at Mamamayan warned that the Konektadong Pinoy Bill could pave the way for a surge in digital fraud and scams.

“If new players are allowed to enter the industry without stringent vetting, bad actors could exploit the system, leading to an increase in online scams, phishing schemes, and fraudulent telecommunications services,” Climaco said.

Likewise, CitizenWatch Philippines lead convenor Orlando Oxales said that, “without strong regulatory enforcement, the National Telecommunications Commission would have limited power to oversee new market entrants, making it easier for unscrupulous entities to take advantage of consumers, particularly in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas where digital literacy is low.”