How the Konektadong Pinoy Bill will secure Filipinos online

The Konektadong Pinoy Act, or Senate Bill No. 2699, is a big leap forward in modernizing the Philippines' digital infrastructure.

- ALBERT DELA CRUZ

Certified as urgent by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., passed on third reading and ratified by both chambers of Congress, this legislation seeks to boost competition in the data transmission sector, improve the ease of doing business for the entry of market players, and enhance cybersecurity standards for internet services in the country.

While the bill has met opposition — notably from the Philippine Chamber of Telecommunications Operators (PCTO) and Bantay Konsyumer, Kalsada, Kuryente (BK3) — the critiques often lack substantiated evidence. PCTO warns of cybersecurity risks, while BK3 suggests the bill may expose users to malicious actors. However, there has been no clear demonstration of how the current requirement of a Congressional franchise has improved cybersecurity, nor how increasing the number of players will compromise cybersecurity.

It is entirely reasonable for stakeholders to be vigilant about the implications of deregulation; national security and consumer protection are legitimate concerns. However, these must be weighed against empirical data and the structural integrity of the proposed reforms.