TECH NEWS | Groups clash over ‘Konektadong Pinoy’ bill
The bill faces stiff opposition from consumer advocates and telecommunications stakeholders who warn of serious national security and regulatory risks.
Server rack with blue and red internet patch cord cables connected to black patch panel in data server room
The proposed Open Access in Data Transmission Act, also known as the “Konektadong Pinoy” bill, has sparked both praise and criticism as it awaits final approval from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP), representing all leagues of local government units (LGUs) and elective officials, voiced strong support for the measure. The group hailed the bill as a key step toward closing the digital divide, especially in underserved and remote areas.
“We commend President Marcos for including the bill in the Legislative–Executive Development Advisory Council’s priority agenda,” ULAP said in a statement. “Reliable and affordable data transmission is essential to promoting financial inclusion, literacy, and local economic growth.”
ULAP also emphasized the need for coordination between national agencies, LGUs, and private stakeholders to avoid duplicative efforts and ensure infrastructure investments align with local development plans. The group backed infrastructure sharing and co-location initiatives as cost-efficient strategies for building nationwide connectivity.
However, the bill faces stiff opposition from consumer advocates and telecommunications stakeholders who warn of serious national security and regulatory risks.
CitizenWatch Philippines, a consumer watchdog group, has urged President Marcos to veto the bill, calling it “dangerously flawed.”
“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,” said CitizenWatch lead convenor Orlando Oxales.
One of the bill’s most contentious provisions eliminates the long-standing requirement for new telecom players to secure a congressional franchise or a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN). Critics argue this opens the door for unvetted and potentially foreign-controlled firms to operate critical infrastructure with minimal oversight.
The measure also reduces the regulatory authority of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), allowing new entrants to register without proving financial or technical capacity—or even basic cybersecurity readiness. It imposes no obligation on new players to serve Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs), which could lead to market cherry-picking in urban areas.
Oxales likened the risks to past failures in deregulated sectors, pointing to the Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) as a cautionary tale.
“Let’s not repeat the mistakes of the POGOs, where lax rules triggered national security fallout,” he said. “A digital sabotage operation could cripple the economy. Are we prepared for that scenario?”
Telecom groups including the Philippine Chamber of Telecommunications Operators (PCTO) and the Philippine Association of Private Telecommunications Companies (PAPTELCO) have echoed these concerns, particularly about satellite services being exempted from NTC oversight.
Oxales urged the President to veto the measure and send it back to Congress for revisions that would ensure stronger cybersecurity safeguards and a level playing field.
“A veto would send a clear message: digital inclusion must not come at the expense of national security or consumer protection,” he said.
As the bill awaits the President’s decision, the debate highlights a critical crossroads for the Philippines’ digital future—balancing rapid innovation with the need for robust regulation and security.
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