Consumer advocacy group CitizenWatch Philippines has called on lawmakers to fast-track pending legislation to strengthen site-blocking mechanisms and modernize the country’s intellectual property framework.
The group urged action on Senate Bills 1708 and 959, alongside House Bills 4702, 4773, and 5944. These proposed measures seek to amend Republic Act No. 8293, or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines, by empowering the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) to administratively order the blocking of websites that violate intellectual property rights.
Despite being filed in the 20th Congress, all five bills remain pending in their respective committees.
CitizenWatch highlighted the government’s existing inter-agency framework—where the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), and other agencies collaborate to block sites tied to illegal gambling, scams, and exploitation—as a proven template for IP protection.
Former Quezon City representative and CitizenWatch Co-Convenor Kit Belmonte emphasized that extending site-blocking powers to IPOPHL is essential for protecting consumers and supporting the digital economy.
”The government has already shown that coordinated site blocking works. It has become an effective consumer protection tool against illegal gambling, financial scams, fake medicines, child exploitation and other online threats,” said Belmonte.
”Congress now has before it several measures that will allow us to apply the same proven approach to intellectual property enforcement by equipping IPOPHL with the authority to act more swiftly against piracy websites,” he added.
Belmonte noted that while IPOPHL has improved enforcement through voluntary partnerships, explicit legislative authority is necessary to fully implement site blocking.
”Online piracy is no longer simply a copyright issue. Piracy websites often expose users to malware, identity theft and financial fraud while depriving Filipino creators, innovators and legitimate businesses of the returns from their work. Integrating intellectual property enforcement into the government’s existing site-blocking framework will strengthen both consumer protection and the country’s digital economy,” Belmonte said.
He added that robust intellectual property protections are crucial for the country’s economic competitiveness, particularly under the Strategic Investment Priority Plan and in the growing field of artificial intelligence.
”The Strategic Investment Priority Plan recognizes research and development, technology and innovation as key drivers of economic growth. In the age of artificial intelligence, intellectual property has become an even more valuable economic asset,” said Belmonte.
”Countries that encourage innovation while providing robust intellectual property protection will be better positioned to attract investments, develop high-value industries and create quality jobs. Protecting intellectual property is therefore not only about safeguarding creators’ rights—it is also about securing the country’s future competitiveness,” he said.
CitizenWatch urged Congress to prioritize the measures to safeguard consumers, empower creative industries, and build a competitive, innovation-led economy.