In a proactive move, 4Ps Partylist Representatives, Rep. JC M. Abalos and Minority Leader Cong. Marcelino C. Libnanan, jointly filed House Resolution 1392 on October 17, 2023.

 Titled “A Resolution Urging the House Committee on Information and Communications Technology, and Other Appropriate Committees, to Conduct an Investigation, in Aid of Legislation, to Determine the Extent of the Risks to Government Institutions and Data Privacy of Filipino Citizens Due to the Recent Cyberattacks on the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHILHEALTH), Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), and the House of Representatives, and to Institute Vital Measures to Bolster Our National Digital Defenses,” this resolution signifies a pivotal step in safeguarding data privacy in the Philippines.

The Resolution directs the House of Representatives Committee on Information and Communications Technology to investigate, in aid of legislation, the cyberattacks on the websites of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, Philippine Statistics Authority, and more recently, the House of Representatives.

It cites the Constitutional right of the people to their privacy, as likewise outlined in RA 10173, also known as the Data Privacy Act of 2012. The simultaneous cyberattacks may have exposed sensitive and personal information of individuals and their households, especially in the marginalized sector.

“The dangers of such leaks are manifold and may have long-lasting and grave repercussions, including the demand for ransom from the Medusa Ransomware Group,” according to Rep. Abalos.

The Resolution also references RA 10175 and RA 10844 in support of the call to investigate the recent security breaches and assist the legislative body in determining how these incidents occurred and what Congress can do to prevent similar future attacks.

“These incidents highlight the threat to the security and integrity of the digital platforms of our agencies, emphasizing the necessity of implementing additional measures to prevent such occurrences,” he said.