Congress Discovers Internet Exists—Passes “Groundbreaking” Laws 30 Years Late

The 19th Congress has apparently made history by finally noticing Filipinos use the internet, with Senator Win Gatchalian hailing the passage of two long-overdue digital consumer protection laws.

The newly enacted Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (AFASA) aims to curb financial cybercrimes such as money mules and social engineering tactics that have plagued the country for years.

The Internet Transactions Act (ITA), also passed, promises to regulate e-commerce platforms and online transactions—because apparently, we needed a law to say people shouldn’t get scammed buying shoes online.

Gatchalian claimed these legislative “breakthroughs” would somehow lift the Philippines’ rankings in the World Digital Competitiveness Index, despite the country’s ongoing struggles with internet speed, access, and enforcement.

Also passed in the 19th Congress was the E-Governance Act, which intends to digitize government transactions and reduce the national pastime of lining up for basic services.

Meanwhile, the Senate also ratified the Konektadong Pinoy Act, a measure that allegedly promotes competition among telcos to improve digital connectivity, assuming monopolies suddenly care about public service.

The law is now pending approval from the President, and, if signed, may eventually lead to slightly fewer Filipinos clinging to one bar of signal in the provinces.