Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) stalwarts led by Leyte 1st Rep. Martin Romualdez are pushing for a House inquiry on the painfully slow and expensive Internet service in the country.

Romualdez, president of the Lakas-CMD, says that despite technological advances, the country is lagging behind its neighbors in terms of cost-efficient, fast and accessible internet services.

“The necessary laws are in place, the newest of which is Konektadong Pinoy Act. But something is not right. We need Internet in many aspects of our life. Yet, half of Pinoys are not konektado (not connected),” Romualdez said.

He noted that the proposed investigation forms part of the party’s GINHAWA KIT (Kuryente–Internet–Trabaho) legislative package, which sought to provide everyday relief by addressing electricity costs, improving internet access, and expanding employment opportunities.

The call for a probe is contained in House Resolution (HR) No. 823, filed by Deputy Speakers Quezon 2nd district Rep. David “Jay-Jay” Suarez and Zambales 1st district Rep. Jay Khonghun.

Romualdez said the resolution proposes to direct the House Committee on Information and Communications Technology to “conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the reliability, quality, affordability, and consumer remedies relating to internet and data transmission services in the country…with the end in view of strengthening service standards, transparency, competition, and digital inclusion".

“The access to reliable, affordable, and high-quality Internet and data transmission services has become essential to productivity-led growth and the delivery of critical public and private services, including education, healthcare, financial inclusion, disaster resilience, and commerce,” said the two-time former House Speaker.

Congress’ own policy research has shown that only 48.8 percent, or less than half of Filipino households, had access to internet at home in 2024, which meant that more than half remained “unconnected and/or underserved.”

“The same research also found that affordability was a binding barrier, with a majority of offline households citing high subscription cost as a principal reason for not having internet access at home,” Suarez said.

In terms of broadband speed and cost, Khonghun cited data from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), which showed that as of March last year, the Philippines ranked 53rd out of 154 countries in terms of Internet speed, and from the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, which reported that among the ASEAN-5, the Philippines had the costliest monthly Internet at $44.93, and placed 32nd globally in terms of cost.

“The country’s Internet connectivity continues to lag behind its regional peers in terms of affordability, speed and access,” rued Khonghun.

Lakas-CMD--the biggest party in the House of Representatives in terms of membership--noted that research published by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) indicated that “improved internet connectivity is associated with improved household welfare outcomes, reinforcing the development importance of reliable and accessible connectivity".

The authors said Republic Act (RA) No. 12234, or the Konektadong Pinoy Act, was enacted to modernize and strengthen the policy environment for data transmission and connectivity, lower barriers to entry and investment, promote competition, and support more inclusive and affordable connectivity outcomes; while its implementing rules and regulations provide the operational framework for implementation and recognize the regulatory roles relating to performance standards, monitoring, and enforcement that require strong and transparent execution to translate reforms into better consumer outcomes.

They said students from low-income households are disproportionately affected by inadequate connectivity, resulting in barriers to learning, digital exclusion and unequal educational outcomes.

They likewise cited rampant consumer complaints such as inconsistent service quality, unmet advertised speeds, limited competition, and weak enforcement of existing service standards.

“There is therefore a need to examine whether current regulatory frameworks, competition policies, and consumer protection mechanisms are sufficient to address these challenges, or whether legislative reforms are necessary,” Lakas-CMD said.

They proposed that the inquiry cover, among other issues and concerns, pricing and affordability, socialized pricing for students and low-income households, service quality and reliability, regulatory oversight and enforcement, and how to reduce digital exclusion and improve reliability for communities that depend on connectivity for learning, livelihoods and essential transactions.