Representatives from the ASEAN Member States during the roundtable discussion on January 9, 2025 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Kuala Lumpur. Photo courtesy of Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission.
QUEZON CITY, Philippines (PIA) – Philippine representatives attended the International Regulatory Convention 2025, hosted by Malaysia’s Ministry of Communications and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission on January 7-8, 2025. This was followed by their participation in the ASEAN Senior Officials’ Roundtable Meeting on January 9, 2025, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Kuala Lumpur.
The International Regulatory Convention (IRC) 2025 brought together local and international stakeholders to explore emerging technologies and their regulatory challenges on January 7-8, 2025 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Kuala Lumpur. Photo courtesy of Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission.
The IRC brought together local and international stakeholders from different sectors to explore the evolving role of technology in society. Under the theme “Leaping into the Quantum Frontier: Regulation and Innovation in the Tech Era,” the event provided a platform for discussions on emerging technologies and the regulatory frameworks required to address both their opportunities and challenges.
The Philippine delegation from the Philippine Information Agency during the International Regulatory Convention 2025 on January 8, 2025, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Kuala Lumpur.
(L-R) Mr. Filomeno Capul Jr., Computer Maintenance Technologist III; Mr. Gary Penuliar, Head of the Management Information System Division; Ms. Kate Shiene Austria, Senior Editor of the Digital Media Desk; and Atty. Tadeo Culla, Assistant Director-General for Organizational Development, International Affairs, and Quality Management.
The Philippine delegation, led by Atty. Tadeo Culla, Assistant Director-General for Organizational Development, International Affairs, and Quality Management at the Philippine Information Agency; Mr. Gary Penuliar, Head of the Management Information System Division; and Mr. Filomeno Capul Jr., Computer Maintenance Technologist III, participated in discussions that examined the various impacts of technology on communication, governance, and public policy.
Representatives from the ASEAN Member States during the roundtable discussion on January 9, 2025 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Kuala Lumpur. Photo courtesy of Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission.
Meanwhile, the ASEAN Member States (AMS) engaged in a roundtable discussion on the growing challenges posed by social media and other digital platforms. They explored the rise of misinformation, online scams, and the increasing need for robust digital regulation to protect citizens.
YB Ahmad Fahmi bin Mohamed Fadzil, Minister of Communications of Malaysia, during the roundtable discussion on January 9, 2025 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Kuala Lumpur. Photo courtesy of Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission
YB Ahmad Fahmi bin Mohamed Fadzil, Minister of Communications of Malaysia, highlighted the importance of cooperation among ASEAN member states to have a safer online space for all citizens, saying, “There are a lot of opportunities and challenges, which stem from our differences and the respective legislative frameworks that each country employs. But at the same time, we do believe that there are opportunities to build, whether it’s a newer approach or to add on to the kind of approaches that we currently have.”
Malaysia, as the host country of the event, highlighted its efforts in licensing digital platforms and enforcing stricter regulations to combat social media scams and safeguard its citizens from potential harm.
YBHG Datuk Mohamad Fauzi bin Md Isa, Secretary General of the Ministry of Communications of Malaysia, during the roundtable discussion on January 9, 2025 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Kuala Lumpur. Photo courtesy of Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission.
YBHG Datuk Mohamad Fauzi bin Md Isa, Secretary General of the Ministry of Communications of Malaysia, emphasized that these collective efforts will show the collective front of each country for the benefit of the ASEAN citizens, “By working together, we can overcome the challenges ahead and pave the way toward creating a secure and inclusive digital space for all.”
For the Philippines, Atty. Culla discussed the current digital landscape, the challenges faced, and the laws that protect Filipinos online, such as the Republic Act No. 11934 or the SIM Card Registration Act, Republic Act No. 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act, and Republic Act 10173 or the Data Privacy Act. He also highlighted various efforts from the government information sector such as the Presidential Communications Office-led “Maging Mapanuri” campaign, which encourages Filipinos to critically evaluate information.
The Philippine delegation, led by Atty. Tadeo Culla, Assistant Director-General for Organizational Development, International Affairs and Quality Management at the Philippine Information Agency with Ms. Kate Shiene Austria, Senior Editor of the Digital Media Desk, during the roundtable discussion on January 9, 2025 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Kuala Lumpur. Photo courtesy of Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission
The exchange of best practices, current regulations, and campaigns among the AMS aimed to foster regional collaboration, ensuring a coordinated response to the complex and evolving landscape of digital threats.
Malaysia officially assumed the ASEAN Chairmanship on January 1, 2025, and is set to host the ASEAN Summit, along with other key meetings and programs throughout the year, under the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability.” (KSAA-PIA CPSD)
