A consumer group criticized the Senate for its perceived inaction on anti-online piracy bills, citing the urgent need to address the issue amid evolving technology.

Bantay Konsyumer, Kalsada, Kuryente (BK3) Convenor Atty. Karry Sison expressed disappointment over the stalled progress of legislation aimed at protecting artists, creators and consumers from illegal online operations.

"It is disheartening the continued stalling of bills in the Senate aimed at protecting our artists, creators, and consumers from fraudulent and illegal operations on the internet," Sison said in a statement.

Senate Bill Nos. 2150 and 2385, which propose amendments to the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines through site-blocking measures, remain pending.

Creative industry stakeholders have repeatedly called for the bills' passage, citing significant income and revenue losses due to intellectual property rights infringement.

"Affected sectors have long been calling for the implementation of site blocking to stop websites that continue to profit from the illegal distribution of films, music, and other works of art," Sison said.

To recall, Senator Mark Villar, during his tenure as chair of the Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship, conducted public hearings on the bills, introduced by Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada and Senator Bong Revilla.

However, progress has allegedly stalled under the committee's current leadership, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano.

The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines previously reported that online piracy resulted in $781 million in revenue losses in 2022, a figure projected to reach $1 billion if left unaddressed.

The group also raised concerns about digital security threats, including scams and cyberattacks, exacerbated by unchecked online piracy.

"But this is not just about art and income. Online piracy has a deeper impact -- it puts our digital security at risk," Sison said.

"Many Filipinos are unaware that with every visit to websites with pirated content, they expose themselves to malware, phishing, and other cyber threats that can lead to the theft of their personal information. This is a serious threat that cannot be ignored," he added.

The group also cited that countries like Indonesia and South Korea have experienced a decrease in online piracy after implementing site-blocking policies.