Senate bill seeks stricter penalties for foreign interference
Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino —Photo from his office
MANILA, Philippines — A bill setting penalties for foreign interference in the Philippines has been filed in the Senate.
Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino, in his Senate Bill No. 2951, filed the measure following “recent incidents indicating possible espionage in the Philippines.”
The measure specifically seeks to update what Tolentino dubbed as “outdated legal framework” regulating the conduct of foreign agents in the Philippines.
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“The increasing concern of the government regarding potential foreign interference in the Philippines’ political and governmental affairs has prompted a deeper examination of the tactics and objectives employed by some wicked state actors. These actors have been infiltrating key areas of the bureaucracy, media and critical infrastructures, thereby threatening the nation’s national security, political stability, and sovereignty,” Tolentino’s bill reads.
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Article continues after this advertisement“Overall, the proposed legislation underscores that even the planning of foreign interference can incur penalties, thereby reinforcing the government’s commitment to protecting democratic processes from external influence,” it adds.
According to Tolentino, the bill aims to penalize the various methods through which foreign agents and entities may interfere in the Philippine political and governmental processes.
Under the proposed measure, a Counter Foreign Interference Council (CFIC) shall be created chaired by the Executive Secretary.
“As part of its mandate, the CFIC may issue an Access Blocking Order directing the ISP to ‘take reasonable steps’ to block Philippine-based users’ access to an online publication whose content may prejudice national or public security, undermine public confidence in authorities—or influence the outcome of elections,” said Tolentino.
“An ISP that does not comply with an access blocking order shall be fined P1 million for each day it does not fully comply. The maximum penalty for this is P500 million,” he added.
The bill proposes the following:
- Any person found guilty of foreign interference—including those involving foreign intelligence agencies and electronic communications – and conspiracy to commit foreign interference, faces life imprisonment and a fine of P5 to P10 million.
- Any person found guilty of aiding or protecting persons committing foreign interference may face 12 years imprisonment and a fine of P2 million to 5 million.
- If the offender is a government official or employee, he/she shall face the maximum penalties and be barred from holding any public office or employment.
- If the offender is an alien, he/she shall face the penalties and be deported after serving such penalties—and will not be allowed reentry into the Philippines.
