Lawmakers push House data leak probe

The Securities and exchange Commission warns public against online scammers who offer fake investments. FILE PHOTO / REUTERS

MANILA, Philippines — Two opposition House representatives pushed their call to investigate and determine the implications and risks of recent cyberattacks against government agencies on Filipinos’ right to data privacy.

House Resolution No. 1392 pressed the House Committee on Information and Communications Technology and other committees to conduct an investigation in aid of legislation on the cyberattacks.

The measure was filed on Tuesday by House minority leader and 4Ps Rep. Marcelino Libanan and 4Ps Rep. JC Abalos, two days after the House of Representatives was defaced by hackers.

They stressed the need to determine the extent of the risks of the recent cyberattacks on the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, Philippine Statistics Authority, and the House of Representatives to government institutions and “the data privacy of Filipino citizens.”

The 4Ps solons said the data breaches on Philhealth and PSA “may have long-lasting and grave repercussions, including the demand for ransom from the Medusa ransomware group.”