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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Brian Poe hopes to hear Marcos admin's AI policy direction in SONA

Brian Poe hopes to hear Marcos admin's AI policy direction in SONA

Published Jul 23, 2025 10:54 am

At A Glance

  • FPJ Panday Bayanihan Party-list Rep. Brian Poe is crossing his fingers that President Marcos would bare the government's broader policy direction on artificial intelligence (AI) in his upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 28.
FPJ Panday Bayanihan Party-list Rep. Brian Poe (Rep. Poe's office)
FPJ Panday Bayanihan Party-list Rep. Brian Poe (Rep. Poe's office)


FPJ Panday Bayanihan Party-list Rep. Brian Poe is crossing his fingers that President Marcos would bare the government’s broader policy direction on artificial intelligence (AI) in his upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 28.
“I’m hoping that the President will mention his plans for AI development in his upcoming [SONA]," Poe, a member of the "House Hotshots", said in a statement.
The neophyte congressman says such development plans are "essential for us to keep up with the rest of the world.”
The July 28 SONA will be the first one Poe will listen to as a legislator. The speech will be delivered by President Marcos before a joint session of Congress at the plenary hall of the House of Representatives.
Poe noted that the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) chief has already expressed openness to tap AI for practical usage.
“In Congress, DICT Secretary Henry Aguda, mentioned using AI to help detect fake news on social media. I’m looking forward to working closely with the secretary to help stop the spread of malicious content,” Poe said.
The party-list solon had just come home from a speaking engagement before AI industry leaders at the United Nations (UN) in Vienna. The forum was titled, “AI for Developing Countries: Bridging Capital for the Future".
“Artificial Intelligence is no longer a technology of the future. It is here—reshaping economies, redefining industries, and reimagining how societies function,” Poe said at the forum as he underscored AI’s transformative power across all sectors.
In his speech, Poe detailed the Philippine government’s commitment to harnessing AI for collective growth through proactive legislation.
“In the Philippines, we’ve decided that we cannot afford to be left behind. That is why, in our 20th Congress, I filed House Bill (HB) No. 1136, calling for the creation of a National Center for Artificial Intelligence Research and Development. This center is not just about creating a government office. It’s about creating a platform for public-private collaboration," he said.
He stressed that the true purpose of AI should be to enhance human capabilities. “AI must serve people—not replace them, not control them, but empower them. Friends, AI is not just about machine learning. It’s about humanity learning how to build a future together."
Poe underscored the need to embrace AI so it may be used as a uniting force among peoples instead of a barrier.
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