Digital Rights Round-up (April 1 to 30, 2026)
Digital Rights Round-up (April 1 to 30, 2026)
SENATE BILL SEEKS SOCIAL MEDIA BAN FOR USERS UNDER 16
A Senate bill filed by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian seeks to ban children under 16 from using social media, requiring strict age verification and platform safeguards to protect minors from harmful online environments.
The Philippine government is pushing for stronger laws and platform accountability to combat online sexual abuse and exploitation of children, emphasizing coordinated action among tech companies, financial institutions, and international partners to detect, report, and prevent such crimes.
WILL PHILIPPINES’ ANTI-DISINFORMATION BILLS EMPOWER STATE TO ‘DECIDE THE TRUTH’?
The Philippines is weighing a new anti-disinformation law, but digital rights advocates and researchers warn that the leading proposals could give the government sweeping powers while doing little to stop the networks that actually drive online influence campaigns.
PCO TO LAUNCH WEBSITE FOR REPORTING FAKE NEWS
This comes amid the continued spread of disinformation, particularly regarding the health of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and allegations that “recycled” photos were used on his social media accounts.
PNP VOWS CHARGES VS. INDIVIDUALS BEHIND OMBUDSMAN INFO LEAK
The Philippine National Police is urgently investigating, alongside the Office of the Ombudsman, a data breach that exposed field investigators’ personal information, aiming to identify and charge those responsible while condemning the leak as a serious threat to investigators’ safety.
LIST: JOURNALISTS, STUDENTS REPORTEDLY KILLED, ARRESTED IN AFP OPERATIONS
Amid ongoing AFP operations, the reported killings and arrest of journalists and student leaders highlight conflicting narratives over alleged rebel links and raise serious concerns about safety, red-tagging, and the state of press freedom in the Philippines.
PH PUSHES INCLUSIVE, TECH-DRIVEN POPULATION AGENDA AT UN MEE
The Philippines urged stronger global cooperation to close digital gaps and advance inclusive, data-driven development using technology.
CSC EXPANDS GAMBLING BAN FOR GOV’T WORKERS
The Civil Service Commission has banned all government employees from any form of gambling including online and off-duty activities to uphold integrity and ethical standards in public service.
DICT LINKS MORE REMOTE SCHOOLS TO INTERNET IN AGUSAN SU
The DICT in Caraga activated 150 free Wi-Fi sites in Agusan del Sur, connecting 50 additional remote schools to support online learning and expand digital access.
VILLAR SEEKS TO BOOST DIGITAL ACCESS FOR FILIPINO STUDENTS
Senator Mark Villar’s proposed Boosted Technology Subsidy Act aims to provide students with gadgets, internet access, and AI tools to bridge digital gaps and support tech-driven learning.
PH, CANADA TO DEEPEN CYBER DEFENSE PARTNERSHIP
The Philippines and Canada have strengthened their defense partnership by committing to deeper cooperation in cybersecurity, communications, and military capabilities to address evolving threats and enhance regional security.
15 NABBED FOR ONLINE FINANCIAL SCAM
Philippine police arrested 15 suspects and intercepted 36 accounts in nationwide operations targeting the illegal online sale of financial accounts, reinforcing efforts against cyber-enabled fraud.
DND EXEC SEES NEED FOR SECURE ASEAN COMMS
The DND highlighted the importance of secure, real-time communication systems among ASEAN members to strengthen coordination, cybersecurity, and crisis response amid an increasingly complex security environment.
PLANNED AI INDUSTRIAL HUB TO SUPPORT OPERATIONS OF HIGH TECH FIRMS
The Philippines plans to build the world’s first AI-native industrial hub in New Clark City under the US-led Pax Silica framework, aiming to boost high-tech investment, workforce skills, and its role in the global AI supply chain.
‘FACE LEGAL CONSEQUENCES,’ PALACE TELLS FAKE NEWS PEDDLERS
Malacañang said it will pursue legal action against individuals spreading fake news, emphasizing accountability for deliberate misinformation campaigns that threaten public trust and national stability.
PBBM BUSY RESPONDING TO CRISIS AMID FALSE HEALTH RUMORS
Amid false rumors about his health, President Marcos Jr. led economic relief measures, anti-corruption efforts, and diplomatic engagements while reaffirming his fitness and intensifying government action against disinformation online.
DSWD-11 SLAMS ‘GROCERY VOUCHER’ MISINFORMATION IN DAVAO ORIENTAL
The DSWD-Davao denied social media claims that a 15,000 PESOS livelihood fund was converted into grocery vouchers, clarifying that the cash grant is strictly for approved micro-enterprise projects and not for personal consumption or voucher conversion.
CAMPUS JOURNALISTS URGED TO FACT-CHECK, UPHOLD TRUTH AMID AI RISE
The DepEd, at the 2026 NSPC, urged student journalists to lead in fact-checking and uphold truthful reporting amid the rise of AI and misinformation, emphasizing journalism as a public service grounded in truth.
PHIVOLCS BOOSTS BICOL HAZARD COMMUNICATION AMID MAYON, BULUSAN UNREST
Phivolcs is strengthening hazard communication in Bicol through training for media and information officers amid ongoing activity at Mayon and Bulusan volcanoes to ensure accurate, science-based reporting and improve public preparedness.
LTO SUSPENDS, SUMMONS VLOGGER IN VIRAL PRANK OF GAS STATION ATTENDAN
The LTO has ordered an investigation and suspended a driver’s license after a vlogger’s prank showing a gas station attendant being chased over unpaid fuel was deemed reckless and irresponsible behavior on the road.
SC: CYBERLIBEL PRESCRIBES ONE YEAR FROM DISCOVER
The Supreme Court ruled that cyberlibel cases must be filed within one year from discovery, reaffirming that it is treated as libel under the Revised Penal Code and underscoring ongoing debates about free expression and press freedom protections.
NTF-ELCAC LAUDS DICT’S DIGITAL LITERACY PROGRAM FOR EX-RED
The NTF-ELCAC praised the DICT’s “Balik Loob” program for helping former rebels reintegrate into society by providing digital literacy and ICT skills to support livelihood and promote peace through digital inclusion.
ROBLOX MEETS WITH DICT ON FIGHT VS CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE
Roblox met with Philippine authorities to address child safety concerns amid allegations of online exploitation risks, as the government considers stricter regulation or possible suspension if the platform fails to strengthen protections for minors.
GOOGLE ADDS BUILT-IN AI TO CHROME BROWSER IN PHILIPPINES
Google has launched AI-powered upgrades to its Chrome browser in the Philippines using its Gemini 3.1 model, introducing a personalized assistant that can summarize content, manage tasks, and integrate with Google apps while emphasizing built-in security safeguards.
ROBLOX TO CONTINUE PH OPERATIONS UNDER TIGHTER GOV’T OVERSIGHT
Roblox will continue operating in the Philippines under tighter government oversight, with authorities requiring stronger child safety measures such as age verification and content moderation while pursuing a “compliance before restriction” approach.
ASEAN WOMEN LAWMAKERS URGED TO PUSH FOR DEEPER, SYSTEM-LEVEL CHANG
Speaker Faustino Dy III urged Southeast Asian women parliamentarians to move beyond representation toward real decision-making power, emphasizing that stronger women’s leadership is key to inclusive governance, peace, and regional resilience in ASEAN.
PHILIPPINES AND SOUTH KOREA SIGN $25.6M DEAL TO ESTABLISH NATIONAL CYBER SECURITY CENTER
The Philippines has taken a major step in fortifying its digital defenses after the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Republic of Korea formally signed an agreement to establish a National Cyber Security Center (NCSC) in the country.
[OPINION] AS FEAR MOVES ONLINE, FILIPINOS FIGHT TO RECLAIM DIGITAL SPACES
Five years ago, Filipinos were glued to their screens for COVID-19 updates, daily case counts, lockdown rules, and the anxious posts of strangers who suddenly felt connected by the same crisis. Today, the screens are still glowing, but the fears have changed. War scare headlines replace health bulletins. Oil shortage concerns a trend beside rising geopolitical tensions. The uncertainty remains, only the language of fear has shifted.
PHILIPPINES ORDERS META TO TIGHTEN MEASURES AGAINST ‘PANIC-INDUCING’ FAKE NEWS
The Philippines government has ordered Facebook’s parent company to curb the spread of false, “panic-inducing” content on its platforms, including misleading claims around exaggerated oil price increases and energy supply disruptions it said risk causing economic disorder.
DOJ SIGNS PACT WITH DICT, PCO TO COMBAT DIGITAL DISINFORMATION
The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Presidential Communications Office and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) for a coordinated and whole-of-government response against the deliberate manufacture and spread of false information and media.
GENDERSCOOP
WOMEN HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS FACE RISING TECH-ASSISTED VIOLENCE
When Filipino women human rights defenders (HRDs) step forward to demand accountability, they are met with a new kind of violence. Technology is now weaponized to silence, shame, and intimidate.
THE 20TH CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES AND ITS EFFORTS AGAINST GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE
A breakdown of current legislation being considered to be implemented by the 20th Congress of the Philippines, these laws would help strengthen efforts to protect women and gender diverse individuals from GBV.
“HEY FRIEND”: STANDING WITH SURVIVORS OF ONLINE ABUSE
In this resource toolkit, the FMA provides simple but powerful actions you can take to support someone who has experienced online abuse. It serves as a reminder that survivors should never face digital violence alone.
DY CALLS FOR ‘INCLUSIVE ASEAN,’ PUSHES FOR WOMEN’S DECISION-MAKING POWER
House Speaker Dy called for stronger efforts to build a more inclusive ASEAN, stating that governments must take stronger efforts to remove barriers in governance systems that limit the participation of women.
PROTECTING WOMEN’S RIGHTS ONLINE STRESSED
Leaders from the FMA, Liza Garcia and Cristina Lopez, discuss the complex environment surrounding digital violence against women and how real-life social inequities are replicated in online spaces.
BARMM TRAINS POLICE DESK FRONTLINERS TO STRENGTHEN RESPONSE TO VIOLENCE VS. WOMEN, CHILDREN
In Davo City, frontline officers of the Women and Children Protection Desks in the Bangsamoro region underwent training led by the Bangsamoro Women Commission (BWC) to better equip themselves to respond to situations involving gender-based violence, including cyber-related abuse.
DOJ CHAMPIONS GENDER-RESPONSIVE SAFETY FOR WOMEN JOURNALISTS AT PTFOMS WORKSHOP
The Department of Justice (DOJ) of the Philippines delivered a speech on“Empowering Women Journalists to Institutionalize Gender-Responsive Media Protection” during the Presidential Task Force on Media Security’s National Workshop. The speech highlighted the unique struggles that female journalists face and the dangers their work often brings.
BEYOND THE SHADOWS: RECLAIMING THE POWER OF WOMEN
During a Women’s Month Celebration led by the Regional Gender and Development Committee in the Ilocos at the Department of Agriculture Regional Office, speakers highlighted the role colonization played in the modern gender roles Filipinas are subjected to.
DOJ CULMINATES WOMEN’S MONTH WITH STRONG DIGITAL SAFETY PLEDGE
The Department of Justice held a Flag Raising Ceremony to commemorate the end of Women’s Month, followed by a reaffirmation of the agency’s commitment to protecting women in both physical and digital spaces.
GENDER PROGRAMS MUST REACH BARANGAYS, MARGINALIZED SECTORS — PCW
Government agencies in Northern Mindanao are taking stronger efforts to ensure gender equality and women’s empowerment programs reach the local level, specifically to marginalized communities and geographically isolated areas.
CAGAYAN STATE U TO LAUNCH DIGITAL LITERACY, AI READINESS PROGRAM
The Cagayan State University (CSU)-Carig Campus announces an educational initiative to provide vulnerable citizens, such as women, youth, and senior citizens, with digital skills to combat the rapid spread of misinformation and AI disruption online.
TRANSGENDER JOURNALIST SPEAKS OUT AFTER BEING REFUSED ENTRY IN MACAU
Filipina transgender journalist Yoniel Torayno Acebuche shared her experience on social media after she was denied entry at the Macau International Airport on route to cover an international awards event. Acebuche suspects discrimination on the basis of their gender identity.
CHR LEADS NCR DIALOGUE TO STRENGTHEN NATIONAL FRAMEWORK ON MEDIA SAFETY
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR), in partnership with the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS), held an event to discuss strategies to strengthen protections for media workers. Challenges of gender-based attacks against media workers, alongside threats of physical harm and legal intimidation, were discussed.
PHILIPPINES TO HOST WOMEN, YOUNG LEGISLATORS IN ASEAN CHAIRMANSHIP
The Philippines, acting as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, is set to host separate virtual meetings with women and young legislators around the region. The discussions will feature topics like the appropriate use of artificial intelligence (AI), and mental health governance.
SCAM NO MORE: HOW THE PHILIPPINES IS CRACKING DOWN ON ONLINE FRAUD CENTRES WITH UNODC SUPPORT
An article posted by the United Nations Regional Office for Southeast Asia and the Pacific details how the Philippines’ Anti-Organized Crime Commission tackles the complex issue of cybercrime. The article takes note of how criminal networks are increasingly targeting women through exploitation and promises of a better life, and the dangers they face as a result.
SC JUSTICE SINGH HIGHLIGHTS PHILIPPINES’ LEGAL PROTECTIONS FOR WOMEN AT UN FORUM
Supreme Court Associate Justice Maria Filomena Singh, at the 70th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to protecting women and girls. Singh emphasized current initiatives to strengthen coordination amongst legal sectors, including services to address online sexual abuse.
UPD STITCHES QUILTS TO END GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE
For the first time, The UP Diliman (UPD) Gender Office (UPDGO) hosted a workshop titled “Stitching Solidarity: Together We Mend, Together We End GBV”. The event featured a diverse crowd of people to promote collective healing and solidarity.
PRODUCTIVE WOMEN’S MONTH: 172 FUGITIVES FACING SEXUAL ABUSE-RELATED CASES ARRESTED
Operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested a total of 172 people accused of various cases relating to sexual abuses in March, many of them involving online sexual exploitation of women and children.
A director of the National Coordinating Center against Anti-Online Sexual Abuse Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) demands that social media platforms implement stronger protections to prevent online sexual abuse.
WOMEN HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS FACE RISING TECH-ASSISTED VIOLENCE
An article detailing how Filipina human rights defenders are often subjected to technology facilitated gender based violence. The story shares real accounts from women across the country who have been targeted as a result of their activism.
0 Comments