Bongbong Marcos wants to boost legislation for PH cybersecurity

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. | FILE PHOTO: PCO

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. saw the need to bolster the country’s cybersecurity by speeding up three select measures still pending in the Senate.

According to a Palace statement on Wednesday, the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) Digital Infrastructure Group recommended that Marcos certify these bills as urgent.

“It looks like there is a great need for structural requirements in legislation. Let me work on the Cybersecurity Act, Anti-Mule and the Online Site Blocking Act. We will talk with the leadership of the legislature and see how we can move along quickly,” Marcos told PSAC officials in a meeting.

READ: Marcos says PH continues to boost defenses vs cyberattacks

The Cybersecurity Act aims to further strengthen the country’s cybersecurity, while the Anti-Mule aims to prevent fraudulent schemes.

READ: Cybersecurity is a matter of national security, experts tell Marcos

Meanwhile, the Online Site Blocking Act would prohibit people from registering an account under a false identity.

“Right now, contents are being pilfered over the internet and no more the DVDs. Unfortunately, there are laws that we really need to give a lot of teeth to our Executive branch to implement properly,”  the PSAC said.