Source: The Manila Times

Negros Occidental Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez presented a consolidated proposal for the "Artificial Intelligence Development and Regulation Act" at the MAP‑KPMG Technology Summit held June 30 at the Shangri‑La at the Fort. He spoke to more than 300 delegates, identifying himself as head of the Technical Working Group for Artificial Intelligence at the House Committee on Information and Communications Technology and as the leading voice behind the substitute bill. Benitez emphasized that responsible regulation and economic competitiveness are compatible, saying "We should not stifle innovation, but we regulate the risk."

The draft bill compiles 26 bills, three resolutions and a privilege speech into a single substitute measure that would establish a phased Philippine AI Commission under the Department of Information and Communications Technology. Core features described include a Bill of Rights for every AI user, a regulator required to meet defined readiness requirements before exercising powers, and explicit prohibitions on particularly harmful uses such as AI‑generated abuse imagery and AI‑enabled vote manipulation. Benitez said the draft was built on existing Philippine institutions, tailored to survive constitutional challenge, and that the team compared international frameworks without copying them.