The existing draft of the proposed Konektadong Pinoy Bill could put the internet infrastructure of the Philippines at high risk over the lack of legislative franchise requirement for new telecom industry players, an independent policy research organization said.
The Stratbase ADR Institute said there are already concerns among telecommunications and cybersecurity experts on the possibility of foreign actors launching cyberattacks against the digital infrastructure of the Philippines due to some of the provisions of the Open Access Bill.
“If passed into law, Senate Bill 2699 will not only bypass the congressional franchise requirement for the use of the country's radio frequency spectrum but will also weaken the regulatory oversight function of the National Telecommunications Commission,” the Stratbase ADR said in a statement.
Stratbase Institute President Dindo Manhit further explained that the country’s telecommunication networks could be exploited by hostile entities that pose significant risks to national security if the regulatory oversight function of the NTC is weakened.
Manhit then suggested that the government should align with the Public Services Act, which restricts foreign ownership in sensitive areas, particularly national security, and concentrate more on protecting critical connectivity infrastructure.
"If the bill becomes a law and the NTC’s functions are in fact diluted, it would be a free-for-all scenario wherein players could take advantage of the critical infrastructure and their access to customers’ information to pursue their own adventure,” said Manhit.
“The resulting scenario could be chaotic, especially at a time when malign elements seek to create chaos in the physical and virtual worlds,” he added.
The institute also said that, while the Senate's plan to increase digital inclusivity is essential for nation-building, it should not be at the cost of making the country vulnerable to various players seeking to enter the Philippine market.