Ayala-led Globe Telecom Inc. is pushing for the refiling and eventual passage of a bill that will allow telecommunications operators to crack down on online piracy.

In a statement, Globe urged lawmakers from both the House of Representatives and the Senate to reintroduce a measure that will strengthen the powers and functions of the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL).

The telco giant recalled that House Bill (HB) No. 7600, authored by former Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda, was approved on third and final reading by the lower chamber in May 2023.

Several counterpart bills were filed in the Senate, but they failed to advance after the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce, and Entrepreneurship was unable to complete a committee report following two hearings.

With the 20th Congress now in session, Globe calls on the new slate of lawmakers to file a similar measure.

The company stated that a reinforced IPOPHL will have the power to order telco operators to block piracy websites.

“Such a move is critical to securing the growth of the creative economy and protecting Filipino consumers from online harm,” it said.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that the country’s creative industry totaled ₱1.94 trillion, accounting for 7.3 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) last year.

Trade Secretary Cristina Roque earlier said that the creative industry could contribute as much as ₱2 trillion to the GDP this year.

Globe President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Carl Cruz said the industry’s growth is a reflection of its strong potential to be one of the most powerful drivers in the country’s economy.

“Protecting it from piracy means protecting jobs, investments, and the future of Filipino talent,” said Cruz.

“Every illegal download is a peso taken from Filipino artists and the economy. We cannot allow illegal sites to rob creators of their hard work and deprive the economy of billions in value,” he added.

Cruz noted that online piracy, including illegal streaming and downloading sites, would also expose consumers to cybercrimes such as scams, malware, and identity theft.

He said passing a site-blocking measure would be a “critical step” in ensuring that Filipino artists, musicians, animators, and writers are fairly compensated.

This likewise preserves the country’s competitiveness in the global creative economy, where site-blocking is already a standard practice.

“As one of the country’s leading telecommunications operators, Globe expressed readiness to comply with site-blocking orders once enabled by law,” said Cruz.