Converge ICT Solutions co-founder and CEO Dennis Anthony Uy has called on both the Philippine government and private enterprises to adopt sovereign cloud technologies to safeguard national interests and ensure full control over sensitive Filipino data amid the country’s rapid digital transformation.
Speaking at the 51st Philippine Business Conference and Expo (PBC&E), Uy said that strengthening the country’s capacity for digital sovereignty is now critical, as data has become the lifeblood of both governance and commerce.
“Data sovereignty means the Philippines must have full ownership and authority over where its data resides, who can access it, and how it is used,” Uy emphasized.
“It is time we ensure that our most critical data is governed by our own laws — not those of foreign jurisdictions.”
Uy stressed that sovereign cloud infrastructure — a cloud environment governed by local regulations and operating within national borders — will allow the country to maintain oversight of its information assets.
These systems, he noted, can work independently or in hybrid form with global cloud providers, but must establish clear boundaries on data location, access, and control.
He warned that when cloud servers are hosted abroad or managed by foreign entities, Philippine agencies and enterprises risk placing their data under the laws of another country, reducing the nation’s ability to regulate or audit its use.
“Every time citizens transact online with government portals, banks, or hospitals, they hand over personal data that they expect is protected under Philippine law. But if the systems storing this data are abroad, that protection becomes uncertain,” Uy said.
Converge said it has been working with global technology firms such as Google, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Naver, Foxconn, and Tencent to strengthen the Philippines’ in-country cloud capabilities and promote secure, sovereign data management.
At the same conference, Naver Cloud CEO Yuwon Kim underscored the importance of “Sovereign AI,” which he defined as AI systems developed and operated with a deep understanding of a nation’s culture, values, and heritage — built on locally governed data.
Meanwhile, Foxconn’s Lin Shi-Hao emphasized the firm’s growing role in producing high-performance AI servers that power modern data centers, while Tencent Cloud’s Kenneth Siow reaffirmed its collaboration with Converge in advancing cloud-native infrastructure, big data, and AI in Southeast Asia.
Uy’s message aligns with ongoing government initiatives to assert data sovereignty and digital self-reliance.
Lawmakers have refiled the proposed Data Sovereignty Law, which seeks to require government agencies and critical sectors — such as finance, healthcare, and defense — to store and process data within Philippine territory or under Philippine legal jurisdiction.
The proposed measure complements broader national strategies like the E-Governance Act, which mandates a unified digital government infrastructure, and the National AI Strategy Roadmap (NAIS-PH), which calls for the creation of secure and ethical data ecosystems.
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has also signaled support for policies promoting data localization, noting that sovereign cloud adoption will be key to balancing openness with national security.
Uy said that adopting sovereign cloud is not only about protecting government or corporate systems, but also about earning citizens’ trust.
“When Filipinos know their information is managed within the Philippines and protected by Philippine law, they can transact online with greater confidence,” Uy said.
At the conclusion of the two-day conference, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) passed a resolution urging the government to accelerate digital transformation and innovation — including investments in broadband infrastructure, capacity building, and the strengthening of laws that promote data security and sovereignty.
Uy said these developments reflect a growing consensus between the public and private sectors that data sovereignty is central to national progress.
“Digital sovereignty is no longer optional — it’s a matter of national security and economic independence,” Uy said. “The Philippines must act decisively to keep its data, its systems, and its future within Filipino control.”
