Manila, September 12, 2025 — Data drives development and is an effective policy-making instrument to bring about democratic, inclusive governance.
This is the core theme that underscores the D4DAsia Synthesis Report released today by LIRNEasia, together with the Data for Development Asia Hub (D4DHub), the Open Development Initiative of EWMI, and the Sinar Project, with Disini Law and the Digital Freedom Network having collaborated in the preparation of the report’s study on the Philippines.
The Report reviewed and analyzed laws, policies and initiatives affecting data governance practices in South and Southeast Asia, including recommendations to improve data governance frameworks in the region and beyond.
Seven countries, namely, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and the Philippines, participated in the preliminary study.
Key Takeaways for the Philippines
· The Constitution guarantees the right to information on matters of public concern but access via the Internet remains a hurdle;
· There is no synthesis between the Open Data Portal (which promotes open standards or public data) and other government online databases such as the OpenStat of the Philippine Statistics Authority;
· The Philippine government does not have a specific government policy preferring open software and standards and no such legislation is currently under deliberation;
· There are no specific general standards relevant to systems’ interconnectivity, data integration, e-services access, and content management — just general principles;
· There is no law comprehensively governing data localization;
· The country’s laws have yet to fully consider the implications of data generated by Artificial Intelligence; for one, copyright law specifically recognizes copyright to a “natural person” but not to works purely generated by non-humans;
Quotes:
Prof. Jesus M. Disini Jr., Associate Professor, UP College of Law; Founder and Managing Partner, Disini & Disini Law Office, said, “Our report presents gaps in our county’s strategy on data governance. In highlighting them, we hope to encourage policy-makers and data managers to influence our political leaders to make the necessary legislation to plug these holes soonest.”
Oliver Xavier Reyes, UP College of Law: “Data is an asset and robust data governance is a key advantage in policy-making, especially in the public sector where decisions could impact one way or the other on people’s lives and their livelihood.”
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About LIRNEasia:
LIRNEasia is a regional, pro-poor, pro-market think tank based in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and is active across emerging Asia Pacific since 2004. We support decentralized innovation, including through competitive markets, to enhance the lives of the poor. To this end, LIRNEasia conducts in-depth policy relevant research across a number of sectors including digital, labour, energy, social protection, disability, education, disasters among others in order to collect robust data and document regional good practices. We are currently conducting research in 15 countries in South, South-East and East Asia. Our mission is Catalyzing policy change and solutions through research to improve the lives of people in the Asia Pacific using knowledge, information, and technology. For more information visit www.lirneasia.net or follow us at @lirneasia on Twitter.
About Disini Law:
Founded in 2000, Disini & Disini has been a leader in the TMT field in the Philippines. Members of the firm lobbied for the passage of the E-Commerce Act (2000) and the Internet Transactions Act (2024) and helped draft the implementing rules on behalf of the government. The firm was also instrumental in drafting the Supreme Court’s rules on electronic evidence and the first rules on data privacy in the country. In 2014, the Supreme Court promulgated the landmark case on the Cybercrime Prevention Act entitled Disini v Secretary of Justice where the petition filed by the members of the firm was selected by the court as the most meritorious among 15 others that sought to question the constitutionality of the act.
The firm conducts seminars on intellectual property, e-commerce, electronic evidence, data privacy, cybercrime and other related topics. Lawyers in the firm have taught in the most prestigious law schools and institutions in the country. They have been invited to speak in local and international conferences on a wide range of legal topics. Members of the firm have also provided training for the Philippine Judicial Academy, the University of the Philippines Law Center, the Department of Justice, and the Prosecutor’s League of the Philippines, among others.
From its deep knowledge of issues surrounding technology, society and the law, the firm has grown into a boutique practice representing local and international clients operating on various platforms. The firm has been engaged for projects which implement cutting-edge technologies, innovative online business models and disruptive ideas. The firm sees itself as a champion for clients as they forge ahead into uncharted territories.
About Digital Freedom Network:
The Digital Freedom Network is the non-profit think tank of the Disini Law Offices. DFN has participated in the passage of key laws and regulations in the field of Information Technology since 2000. Its experts have rendered crucial research advice on how to best innovate public
policy in response to new technologies, working with government agencies such as the Department of Trade and Industry, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and the Department of Science and Technology, and with industry groups such as the FinTech Alliance PH.