WITH the ratified Konektadong Pinoy bill awaiting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s signature, stakeholders across the information and communications technology (ICT) sector are voicing both strong support and serious concerns ahead of the president’s State of the Nation Address.
Backed by a growing coalition of over 90 organizations — including ICT associations, cybersecurity groups, local governments, business chambers, and civil society — the bill seeks to liberalize the data transmission market and improve competition in internet services. Proponents argue the measure addresses longstanding weaknesses in the country’s digital infrastructure and fragmented cybersecurity oversight.
Among the supporters are the National Association of Data Protection Officers of the Philippines (Nadpop), the Philippine Computer Emergency Response Team (PH-CERT), the Philippine Cable and Telecommunications Association (PCTA), and the Game Developers Association of the Philippines (GDAP). These groups say the bill promotes resilience through network diversity and introduces mandatory cybersecurity compliance for all data transmission participants (DTIPs).
“The Konektadong Pinoy bill is the courageous legal hammer that will smash the monopoly of big telcos,” said Nadpop founding president Samuel Jacoba. “It’s a necessary step to modernize our infrastructure and close the digital divide.”
The bill mandates DTIPs to obtain ISO/IEC 27001 certification or comply with Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT)-issued standards within two years of registration. It also requires cybersecurity performance audits for license renewals, while imposing penalties for noncompliance.
Supporters also rebut criticisms that the bill weakens regulatory oversight. They point out that the measure requires prior authorization from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) for those seeking to operate international gateways and imposes national security vetting and audit mechanisms. Foreign state-owned firms are explicitly barred from entering the sector.
However, former DICT Secretary Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan has warned of national security vulnerabilities. He said the bill’s current language lacks explicit, legally mandated vetting procedures to scrutinize potential DTIPs, especially those with foreign affiliations.
“Relying solely on implementing rules and regulations (IRR) won’t provide the accountability or safeguards required for critical infrastructure,” Honasan said. He also urged lawmakers to include enforceable penalties for negligence and called for provisions to ensure state control over foreign-operated infrastructure during emergencies.
Honasan argued that foreign DTIPs operating facilities outside the Philippines may fall outside the government’s emergency authority, potentially limiting state control during crises. “This curtails sovereignty and could threaten life, liberty, and property,” he added.
The final decision now lies with the president, who must weigh both the broad-based backing for digital reform and the national security warnings raised by a former top ICT official. The bill, seen as a landmark step in the country’s push toward improved digital infrastructure and connectivity, remains a flashpoint for ongoing debate in the run-up to the SONA.
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