Atty. Tim Abejo, Co-convenor of CitizenWatch Philippines, on Monday issued an urgent call for the Senate to pass the long-delayed Online Site Blocking Act to save the industry from collapse. “This legislation is critical to rescuing an industry that loses billions annually to rampant online piracy,” said Abejo
Abejo emphasized that “the statistics are not just numbers—they represent lost jobs, shuttered production studios, and the stifling of the development of Philippine arts and culture.” “This not only deprives local creators of income but also exposes users to scams, malware, and identity theft perpetrated by tricking users with click baits that lead them to download malware and fake registration pages to capture sensitive personal information, “ explained Abejo.
“Every day that the bill is delayed, the entertainment industry bleeds more revenue and depresses the income of thousands of its workers and their dependents,” Abejo warned. “Passing the Online Site Blocking Act will give the government and the telcos the mandate they need to shut down piracy websites, penalize offenders, and create a safer online environment for Filipino consumers.”