By El Amigo
MANILA — Former Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Undersecretary Jeffrey Ian Dy is preparing to challenge before the Supreme Court the government’s authority to unilaterally block online platforms, saying the issue goes beyond the temporary restriction imposed on Discord.
Dy said he and his lawyer have sent demand letters to the DICT, Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), and National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), seeking an end to platform blocking and similar restrictions without judicial authorization.
The move came after the CICC ordered Discord and Reddit to establish a Philippine presence or designate local representatives amid concerns over online safety and harmful content.
Discord was subsequently blocked on some Philippine networks, but the restriction was lifted after talks with the CICC.
Dy questioned the legality of such government action, citing the Supreme Court’s 2014 ruling in Disini v. Secretary of Justice, which struck down a provision allowing the government to restrict access to computer data without judicial authorization.
He said the controversy could affect Filipinos who depend on digital platforms for work, including freelancers, virtual assistants, developers, and content creators.
“This is no longer about Discord. This is already about our freedom on the internet,” Dy said.
Dy said his legal team is studying possible remedies before the Supreme Court, including petitions for certiorari or mandamus.
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