Globe Telecom has called on lawmakers in both chambers to prioritize the passage of site-blocking legislation that would authorize the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) to direct Internet service providers to block piracy websites.
The measure, Globe said, is critical to protecting local creatives and ensuring the Philippines keeps pace with international standards.
The local creative economy is on track to contribute as much as ₱2 trillion to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2025, up from ₱1.94 trillion in 2024, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
But the Ayala-owned telco warned that this momentum is at risk unless Congress enacts stronger anti-piracy measures.
“Every illegal download is a peso taken from Filipino artists and the economy,” Globe president and CEO Carl Cruz said. “Protecting the creative industry from piracy means protecting jobs, investments, and the future of Filipino talent.”
Attempts to legislate site-blocking stalled in the 19th Congress. House Bill 7600, authored by then-Albay 2nd district representative Joey Salceda, cleared third reading in the House of Representatives in May 2023.
Companion bills were filed in the Senate by senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Joel Villanueva, Loren Legarda, and Mark Villar, but the measure languished after the Senate Committee on Trade failed to release a committee report.
With the 20th Congress now in session, Globe said the passage of a site-blocking law should be treated as a legislative priority, pointing out that similar policies are already widely implemented in other countries to safeguard creative industries.
Beyond lost revenues, the company noted that piracy websites expose Filipino consumers to scams, malware, and identity theft, making the issue a matter of both economic policy and consumer protection.
Globe emphasized its readiness to support the government in implementing the policy, noting its ongoing partnerships with agencies and industry groups to strengthen enforcement and public awareness.
“The creative economy is one of the country’s most promising growth drivers,” Cruz said. “We cannot afford to let piracy undermine its potential. Congress must act now.”
