CitizenWatch Philippines

15/06/2026

Orlando Oxales, Lead Convenor of CitizenWatch Philippines, writes on his weekly column in The Manila Standard:

“AI may change how students learn, but it should never change why we educate.

The task before us remains the same: to develop citizens and leaders equipped not only to succeed in the future, but also to shape it for the better.”

“(We must) develop citizens and leaders equipped not only to succeed in the future, but also to shape it for the better” For generations, education

15/06/2026

In a statement, CitizenWatch Philippines co-convenor and former representative Kit Belmonte said AI presents a significant opportunity to improve learning outcomes, expand access to quality education and prepare Filipino students for an increasingly digital and competitive global economy.

Amid the integration of artificial intelligence into the country’s education system, the consumer advocacy group CitizenWatch Philippines yesterday pushed for reforms that go beyond teaching technical skills, stressing that values formation, citizenship and critical thinking must also be....

12/06/2026

Strengthening Public Service Delivery for a Truly Independent Philippines

Today, we commemorate the 128th Philippine Independence Day—a tribute to the courage, sacrifice, and unity of the Filipino people in shaping our nation’s freedom. As a citizen advocacy group, CitizenWatch commemorates this occasion not only as a celebration of the promise it carries today, but as a renewed call to build a government that is genuinely responsive, accountable, and dedicated to serving its people.

For decades, Filipino citizens have voiced a simple yet urgent aspiration: a government that delivers public services, responds to the urgent needs of the time, and remains trusted and consistent in truly uplifting lives.

True independence means empowering every Filipino to aspire, to pursue their dreams, and to live with dignity. At the core of this vision is the need for stronger, more accountable public service delivery.

Every Filipino deserves a government that delivers—one that ensures timely healthcare, quality education, efficient infrastructure, and responsive social services. When these essential services reach every citizen effectively, independence is no longer a just symbol, but a lived reality woven into the fabric of our daily lives.

Recent incidents, such as the defacement of the Senate website, highlight the recurring vulnerabilities in our public systems and the continuing challenges to safeguarding Philippine independence in the digital age. They remind us that national resilience can be weakened by persistent threats more so, in the cyber domain.

As the government accelerates digital transformation in public service delivery, cybersecurity and system reliability must be treated as essential pillars.

For CitizenWatch, independence in today’s context means investing in resilient, secure, and citizen-centered systems, where digitalization is matched with strong safeguards, transparency, and accountability to ensure uninterrupted and reliable services. We call on the Philippine government to prioritize reforms that enhance service delivery by strengthening digital infrastructure, streamlining processes, and fostering a culture of responsiveness in shaping a truly independent Philippines for the Filipinos.

11/06/2026

CitizenWatch Philippines Statement on AI-Powered Education Reform

CitizenWatch Philippines welcomes ongoing efforts to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into the country's education system and urges policymakers, educators, the private sector, and civil society to ensure that technology serves the broader goals of citizenship, values formation, and nation-building.

The goal is not simply to teach students how to use AI, but to use AI to help develop better learners, better citizens, and future leaders.

AI has the potential to transform how Filipino students learn by expanding access to quality educational resources, supporting teachers, and enabling more personalized learning experiences. Used responsibly, it can help address longstanding challenges in educational access and learning outcomes, particularly in underserved communities.

However, the integration of AI into education must not be viewed merely as a technology initiative. Education is fundamentally about developing people. While AI can help improve learning, it cannot replace the essential role of education in shaping character, cultivating critical thinking, and preparing young Filipinos for responsible citizenship.

Education remains the most powerful equalizer in society. It gives people dignity, creates opportunities, and empowers individuals to rise above the limitations imposed by circumstance.
The experience of Centex schools demonstrates that Filipino students can achieve high standards when quality instruction, community support, and strong partnerships are brought together. The challenge before us is to scale proven educational models through collaboration among DepEd, local governments, communities, and the private sector.

CitizenWatch believes that meaningful educational transformation requires a whole-of-society approach. We welcome efforts by various stakeholders to support digital learning, online safety, and AI readiness among Filipino learners. These include Globe's initiatives on digital education and AI literacy, as well as DepEd's partnership with Khan Academy to explore AI-powered learning tools that can support teachers and strengthen learning outcomes.

As the Philippines continues to navigate the opportunities and risks presented by AI, we must remember that educational attainment alone does not guarantee ethical leadership or good governance. Many individuals involved in corruption are highly educated. This reality reminds us that education must be about more than academic achievement and technical competence.

Knowledge and skills matter, but character, citizenship, and values matter just as much.
If we want a stronger economy and a stronger democracy, we must equip our youth not only with future-ready skills but also with the ability to think independently, resist misinformation, and participate responsibly in public life.

Technology is only a tool. Its value will ultimately depend on how we use it.
The future of the Philippines will be determined by whether we can harness AI to develop informed citizens, ethical leaders, and a generation capable of building a stronger and more prosperous nation.

Atty. Kit Belmonte
Co-Convenor
CitizenWatch Philippines

08/06/2026

Orlando Oxales, Lead Convenor of CitizenWatch Philippines, writes on his weekly column in The Manila Standard:

To Vice President Duterte: If you have nothing to hide, then face the charges head-on. This is not persecution. This is due process. If you believe in justice, stand before it.

To the Filipino people: Be vocal. Be vigilant. Apathy is complicity. If we want honest governance, we must demand it, loudly and unrelentingly.

Now is the time for truth. Now is the time for justice. Convene the impeachment trial. The Constitution demands it. And so do the people.

“At the core of the impeachment case are serious findings of financial misconduct” In a time when our democratic institutions are being tested to their

02/06/2026

Close connectivity gap, push D2C
Statement of CitizenWatch Philippines

CitizenWatch Philippines is pushing for the accelerated rollout of direct-to-cell (D2C) satellite technology as a way to close connectivity gaps throughout the country, especially in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs).

D2C technology offers a faster and more practical solution for underserved communities as the country continues expanding traditional telecommunications infrastructure such as cell towers and fiber optic networks.

Building connectivity infrastructure across an archipelagic country like the Philippines takes time, especially in remote islands and mountainous areas. D2C satellite technology can significantly accelerate connectivity in areas beyond the reach of traditional cell sites by enabling ordinary mobile phones to connect directly to satellite networks

Both Globe Telecom and Smart Communications are already testing D2C satellite technology in the country. Specifically, Globe’s partnership with Starlink is reportedly in advanced stages, with commercial rollout potentially starting as early as June this year, signaling that satellite-to-mobile connectivity may soon become more widely available in underserved areas.

The quality and reliability of D2C satellite services will depend heavily on the scale of satellite deployment, particularly the number of low-earth orbit satellites available to support connectivity demand and network capacity.

Providers with larger LEO satellite networks are naturally expected to deliver broader coverage and a better user experience, especially in geographically challenging areas.

The country’s digital economy continues to grow alongside government initiatives promoting digitalization and wider internet access. These include the implementation of the eGov Law, which requires national and local government transactions to shift online, the Konektadong Pinoy Act that opens the telecommunications industry to more players and investments, and the Bayanihan SIM initiative providing free mobile data connectivity in GIDA communities.

These initiatives are meant to expand digital access and participation, but they will only succeed if reliable connectivity reaches underserved communities.

Many remote communities remain underserved due to the difficulty and cost of deploying conventional telecommunications infrastructure. Cell site construction can take months even after permits are secured, while laying fiber optic cables across isolated islands and mountainous areas remains costly and difficult.

The technology could significantly benefit communities in isolated islands, upland villages, and disaster-prone areas by improving access to education, livelihoods, government services, and emergency communications.

Connectivity today is essential for economic participation, education, disaster response, and public safety. This technology can help students access online learning, enable farmers and fisherfolk to connect to markets, and provide critical communication during calamities when ground-based networks are damaged.

Resilient communication is also crucial during typhoons and other disasters that often disrupt power and telecommunications infrastructure across affected areas.

Government and industry should continue supporting technologies that can accelerate connectivity in underserved areas. D2C technology can complement ongoing infrastructure expansion efforts and help accelerate connectivity in areas that remain difficult for traditional networks to serve.

Orlando O. Oxales
Lead Convenor

02/06/2026

A new poll has reaffirmed Facebook’s grip on how Filipinos consume news, with three out of four respondents naming the platform as a place they turn to for information even as concerns over online falsehoods persist.

A new poll has reaffirmed Facebook's grip on how Filipinos consume news, with three out of four respondents naming the platform as a place they turn to for information even as concerns over online falsehoods persist.

01/06/2026

01/06/2026

The Internet will be a key battleground for the 2028 national and local elections, according to the Pulse Asia Research Inc. survey commissioned by Stratbase Group.

Based on the results of the survey conducted from May 3-7, 2026, the internet topped the list of Filipinos’ sources of news (83%), followed by television (64%).

A 2026 Pulse Asia survey commissioned by Stratbase Group reveals the internet is the top news source for 83% of Filipinos, cementing it as the primary battleground for the 2028 elections.

01/06/2026

Despite the prevalence of false information online, Filipinos continue to rely on social media platforms, particularly Facebook, as their primary source of news, a survey conducted by Pulse Asia showed.

The May 3 to 7 survey, commissioned by the Stratbase group, found that 83 percent of the respondents use online platforms as news sources.

Despite the prevalence of false information online, Filipinos continue to rely on social media platforms, particularly Facebook, as their primary source of news, a survey conducted by Pulse Asia showed.