MARCOS YEAR 3: PROMISES, PROGRESS, BACKLOGS

Rappler’s community partners from the #FactsFirstPH, #AtinAngPilipinas, and #CourageON: No Lockdown on Rights coalitions identified updates on key promises made by Marcos and his administration during his third year in power. 

NO MENTION OF KONEKTADONG PINOY BILL, AI IN SONA 2025

The Konektadong Pinoy bill, which aims to deregulate the entry of smaller internet service providers by removing the requirement of a legislative franchise, was not a part of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address on Monday, July 28. 

ONLINE GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE IN THE PHILIPPINES: 2025 MID-YEAR REPORT

Between January and June 2025, FMA recorded 57 new OGBV cases through media monitoring, survivor interviews, and reports received via its dedicated email service. This figure marks a significant rise compared to previous years, underscoring the growing scale of online abuse and the urgent need for stronger, gender-sensitive digital protections and coordinated institutional responses.

TECH GROUPS BACK ‘KONEKTADONG PINOY’ BILL, WARN VS. DATA LOCALIZATION

Technology-based organizations in the Philippines have thrown their support behind the proposed Konektadong Pinoy Act, calling it a landmark reform that can modernize the country’s outdated digital infrastructure policies and close the connectivity gap.

CWC BACKS SOCIAL MEDIA LIMITS FOR MINORS, URGES BALANCED APPROACH

The Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) on Monday expressed support for a proposed bill regulating minors’ access to social media, saying it could be a vital step in protecting Filipino youth from online threats, including cyberbullying, scams, and sexual exploitation.

CYBERSECURITY GROUPS URGE MARCOS TO ENSURE SAFEGUARDS IN KONEKTADONG PINOY ACT

Cybersecurity stakeholders urged President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to address the cybersecurity risks found in the Konektadong Pinoy Bill, which is now awaiting the signature of the country’s chief executive to become a law.

MARCOS VOWS INTERNET ACCESS FOR ALL PUBLIC SCHOOLS BY END OF 2025

The promise sets an ambitious deadline for a problem that has persisted in the Department of Education (DepEd) for years: the chronic lack of infrastructure in schools that would allow students and teachers full access to digital learning tools. 

DATA PRIVACY ISSUES IN PHILIPPINES TRIGGER MOVE TO AMEND NATIONAL ID LAW

A Filipino senator has introduced a bill seeking an amendment of the Philippine Identification System Act, otherwise known as Act 11055, over recurring concerns about data privacy and security vulnerabilities.

LACSON FILES BILL REGULATING SOCIAL MEDIA USE BY MINORS

Saying Filipino youths should be shielded from the harmful effects of too much exposure to social media, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson has filed a bill regulating the use of social media platforms by minors.

GROUPS WARN KONEKTADONG PINOY BILL MAY FUEL GAMING, CRIME SURGE

Citizens Crime Watch Internationale (CCWI) and Scam Watch Pilipinas raised concerns over the potential consequences of the proposed Konektadong Pinoy Bill (KPB), warning that it may open opportunities to online gambling and cybercrime if enacted without stronger safeguards.

PIA CAYETANO FILES BILL TO REGULATE AI, CREATE ‘NATIONAL AI COMMISSION’

“This bill seeks to strike a careful balance between encouraging technological innovation and ensuring that AI systems remain safe, ethical, transparent, and under meaningful human oversight,” Cayetano said in her explanatory note.

PCO CHIEF GOMEZ VOWS TO PROMOTE TRANSPARENCY, PROTECT PRESS FREEDOM

Newly-installed Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Dave Gomez on Friday pledged to promote transparency in government and protect press freedom under his leadership.

PALACE REPORTERS UP IN ARMS OVER PCO’S ALLEGED ATTEMPT TO CURTAIL MEDIA FREEDOM

The Malacañang Press Corps (MPC) are up in arms against the Presidential Communications Office’s (PCO) alleged attempt to curtail journalists’ performance of their duty after it requested to remove a reporter from the Palace beat for supposed “breach of protocols” during the presidential coverage.

LGUS URGED TO COMBAT FAKE NEWS DURING DISASTERS THRU MEDIA LITERACY

PIA-NCR chief Emver Cortez said misinformation, disinformation and foreign information manipulation pose serious threats during disasters, particularly as people increasingly rely on digital platforms for information.

DEPED AND MICROSOFT EXPAND AI-POWERED LITERACY INITIATIVES ACROSS THE PHILIPPINES 

The Department of Education (DepEd) and Microsoft continue to deepen their collaboration to improve literacy outcomes in the Philippines, leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) tools to empower educators and learners. This growing partnership reflects a shared commitment to democratize AI for the collective benefit of the education ecosystem, aligning with Secretary Sonny Angara’s five-point education agenda. 

INTERNET, FACEBOOK TOP NEWS SOURCES AMONG FILIPINOS -SURVEY

“Daily news access is now largely driven by social media, with one in two voters citing it as their primary source. Meanwhile, television and streaming platforms remain a consistent part of daily life for one in three Filipino registered voters,” PAHAYAG said in a news release on Wednesday.

PH, CANADA PLEDGE STRONGER CYBER DEFENSE COOPERATION

Filipino and Canadian representatives made the pledge during a bilateral meeting held on the sidelines of the Digital Defense Symposium 2025 in Singapore on July 22, DND spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arsenio Andolong said in a news release.

CICC STEPS UP CRACKDOWN ON ILLEGAL ONLINE GAMBLING PLATFORMS

In a press statement on Friday, July 11, the CICC slammed unregulated gambling platforms that “have become increasingly aggressive in targeting Filipinos — using influencers, digital wallets, and algorithm-driven advertising to lure in players, including minors.”

ROMUALDEZ: PBBM MAKING SURE INTERNET SERVICE BECOMES BASIC RIGHT

Reelected Leyte First District Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Monday welcomed the rollout of Phases 2 and 3 of the National Fiber Backbone (NFB) Project in Palo, Leyte, describing it as a strong step toward giving every Filipino household access to fast and reliable internet.

PH INTERNET ACCESS AND USAGE SOARED IN 2024 — GOV’T SURVEY

The 2024 National Information and Communications Technology Household Survey (NICTHS) indicated that nearly half of all households now have Internet access at home, while two out of three individuals aged 10 years and over are active Internet users.

DICT, MAHARLIKA TO EXPAND INTERNET INFRA IN REMOTE AREAS

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on Wednesday partnered with the Maharlika Investment Corporation (MIC) to invest in expanding internet infrastructure in geographically-isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs).

BAM BATS FOR FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF FREE WI-FI LAW

The senator, who sponsored and co-authored the law during his previous term as chair of the Senate science and technology committee, said proper implementation is essential in expanding access to education and learning tools.

MARCOS LEADS LAUNCH OF PHASE 2 AND 3 OF NATIONAL FIBER BACKBONE

The Philippine government is pushing for faster, more reliable internet connectivity, including in underserved or far-flung communities across the country.

BANKS URGED TO BEEF UP CYBERSECURITY AMID MORE INCIDENTS OF FINANCIAL PHISHING

To protect their cybersecurity infrastructure, banks must keep their software and systems updated, and use strong passwords for their network.

PLDT, SMART BRING CYBERSAFETY CAMPAIGN TO MORE SCHOOLS

PLDT Inc. and Smart Communications Inc. are expanding their #BeCyberSmart program to more schools this year to help children and parents stay safe online and understand their rights in the digital space. The campaign started alongside the Department of Education’s Brigada Eskwela, reaching students, teachers, and parents in several schools nationwide.

DICT ASSURES STRONG CYBERSECURITY UNDER KONEKTADONG PINOY BILL

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on Tuesday assured strong cybersecurity measures behind the “Konektadong Pinoy” bill and acknowledged concerns raised by private sector stakeholders.

BAM AQUINO TO FILE BILL VS AI DEEPFAKES USED TO DEFRAUD PUBLIC

Sen. Bam Aquino on Thursday said that he plans to file a measure aimed at curbing the spread of artificial intelligence-generated deepfakes intended to defraud the public.

DICT URGES ZUCKERBERG TO ADDRESS FAKE NEWS, DEEPFAKES ON FACEBOOK

In his letter, Aguda requested Meta to add more content moderation teams based in the Philippines. He believes this will decrease delays in removing disinformation and other toxic content on Facebook.

BOOK DONATION DRIVE AIMS TO PROMOTE LITERACY, CURB DISINFORMATION

In an interview, Urdaneta City librarian Bernardine Gravela said books would be greatly helpful in curbing misinformation and disinformation in the digital age, especially among children.

‘TELLTALE SIGNS’ OF AI VIDEOS ARE BECOMING UNDETECTABLE — AND MORE DANGEROUS

Content generated by artificial intelligence may soon be impossible to detect based on visual cues alone, increasing its potential to be used in disinformation campaigns, experts warn.

THE PHILIPPINES: ADVANCING ICT ACCESS AND AWARENESS

In celebration of National ICT Month, the Philippine government has deepened its push toward digital empowerment through a unified campaign themed “Walang Iwanan sa Digital Bayanihan, ensuring that no Filipino is left behind in the country’s digital transformation.

WHY STABLE CONNECTION IS CRUCIAL FOR FILIPINO WOMEN DURING TYPHOON SEASON


For women, the internet is a tool for safety, learning, and connection. When it disappears, so do these opportunities. That is why we must not only recognize connectivity as a human right but also urgently push for policies like the Konektadong Pinoy Bill that aim to make internet access universal, reliable, and equitable.

SARA DUTERTE BACKS CIVIL UNIONS, ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LAW FOR LGBTQIA+ MEMBERS

During the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) Pride event held in San Fernando City, Pampanga, Duterte said there are two measures that are currently “ripe” to become laws. She said the proposed Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Act is not merely about protecting a specific group but about upholding human dignity for all, as enshrined in global human rights covenants. 

OVER 5,000 ARRESTED FOR CYBERCRIMES IN 1ST HALF OF 2025, SAYS PNP
Over 5,000 individuals were arrested for cybercrimes in the first half of 2025, many of whom were former POGO workers now involved in scams using pre-registered SIM cards. The PNP is urging stricter SIM regulations and public vigilance as cases of deepfake scams and fake government calls continue to rise.

ANTI-SEXUAL HARASSMENT INITIATIVES GAIN GROUND IN PIA CARAGA

PIA Caraga has launched intensified anti-sexual harassment initiatives—including orientation sessions on the Safe Spaces Act (RA 11313), the Anti‑Sexual Harassment Act (RA 7877), and SOGIESC policies—to foster a gender-sensitive and dignified workplace. With support from CHR Caraga, the agency reinforced its zero‑tolerance stance on harassment and emphasized the importance of gender-fair communication and inclusivity across all functions of public service.

MAJOR WIN VS ONLINE CHILD EXPLOITATION: CHILD’S RIGHTS ADVOCATES HELP SLASH OVER 1-M ONLINE ABUSE REPORTS

Child rights advocates under the SaferKidsPH program—led by UNICEF, Save the Children Philippines, the Asia Foundation, and supported by the Australian government—helped reduce cyber tip‐line reports of online sexual abuse of children from over 2.7 million in 2023 to about 1.7 million in 2024, marking a major milestone in protecting children online. The initiative also backed the passage and implementation of key legislation including the Anti‑OSAEC and Anti‑CSAEM Acts (RA 11930), while educating communities, training frontline responders, and running public campaigns to sustain the impact beyond the program’s conclusion.

DOJ HOSTS EDUCATIONAL LECTURE SERIES VS. GENDER-BASED ONLINE SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN QC

The Philippine Department of Justice held an educational lecture series on July 14, 2025, to boost its efforts against Gender‑Based Online Sexual Harassment (GBOSH) in Quezon City by deploying specialized teams and promoting “real justice for all.”

SEXUAL EXPLOITATION TOPS PHILIPPINE TRAFFICKING CASES

Sexual exploitation remains the most common form of human trafficking in the Philippines, followed by labor trafficking and illegal adoption, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).