The Council for People’s Development and Governance (CPDG), alongside the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) attended the House Committee Technical Working Group (TWG) meeting last 03 August 2026 on the consolidated Foreign Influence and Interference Act (FIIA) measures (House Bills 1068, 3218, 4214, 4887, 4890, 7200, and 9195).
Following the proceedings, CPDG maintains its grave concerns and firm opposition to the proposed legislation, warning of its alarming potential to be weaponized against civil society organizations (CSOs), human rights advocates, and independent development non-government organization (NGOs).
Core Position of CPDG on the FIIA Measures:
- Overbroad Scope and Legal Ambiguity: Vague definitions of “foreign interference” and “foreign direction” fail to meet constitutional standards against vagueness and overbreadth, opening doors for arbitrary interpretation.
- Threats to Free Expression and Due Process: Mechanisms that allow administrative content-blocking and website takedowns without prior judicial review undermine freedom of expression, press freedom, and the public’s right to information.
- Weaponization of Financial and Surveillance Mechanisms: Powers that enable extrajudicial account freezing, financial restriction, and expanded surveillance replicate repressive frameworks used to target development actors and human rights defenders.
- Severe Chilling Effect on International Solidarity: Restrictive registration schemes and the stigmatization of foreign-funded development programs restrict vital resources meant for marginalized communities and threaten global solidarity partnerships.
National security and human rights are not mutually exclusive. Genuine defense of national sovereignty must target foreign aggression and predatory economic practices, not local organizations advocating for pro-people development, human rights, and social justice.
CPDG reiterates its call to lawmakers to reject the Foreign Influence and Interference Act and defend democratic rights, civic space, and international solidarity in the Philippines. #