Globe Pushes for Site-Blocking Law to Safeguard the Philippines’ ₱2-Trillion Creative Economy
- Oliver Walsh
- Sep 18
- 2 min read
According to The Post, the Philippines’ creative economy is on track to reach an impressive ₱2 trillion contribution to the country’s GDP this year, according to projections from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). This builds on the ₱1.94 trillion in gross value added recorded in 2024, an 8.7% increase from the previous year. From film and music to gaming, design, and digital content, Filipino creativity is powering growth, but piracy remains a looming threat.
Globe President and CEO Carl Cruz put it bluntly:
“Every illegal download is a peso taken from Filipino artists and the economy. We cannot allow illegal sites to rob creators of their hard work and deprive the economy of billions in value.”
Piracy’s Double Blow: Economic Loss and Consumer Risk
Online piracy not only strips revenues away from creators and legitimate businesses but also exposes consumers to malware, scams, and identity theft. The stakes are clear: without stronger legal tools to block piracy sites, both the creative industry and Filipino consumers remain vulnerable.
In the 19th Congress, House Bill 7600 proposing site-blocking, championed by then Rep. Joey Salceda made it through the House, with companion bills filed by Senators Revilla, Villanueva, Legarda, and Villar. Despite progress, the Senate Committee on Trade failed to complete a report, stalling the measures.
With the 20th Congress in session, Globe is urging lawmakers to refile and pass legislation. This proposed law would give the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) the authority to instruct telecom operators to block access to piracy websites. Such measures are already standard practice in many countries across Southeast Asia and beyond.
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