The Forum on Data Governance in the Philippines was held on Friday, September 12, 2025, at Serenade II, Westin Manila. The event highlighted how data can drive development and serve as an effective policy-making instrument for advancing democratic and inclusive governance in the Philippines.
The forum was organized by LIRNEasia in collaboration with Disini Law (Philippines) and Digital Freedom Network (Philippines), with funding support from the International Development Research Centre (a Crown corporation of the Government of Canada). It brought together experts from government agencies, academia, and the private sector to share perspectives and experiences on data policymaking and governance frameworks.
Discussions centered on two recent publications under the Data for Democratic Development in South and Southeast Asia initiative: the Philippines Country Report and the Regional Synthesis Report. These reports examine the tensions that arise in governing data, particularly the balance between using data to advance development and growth objectives and the equally important task of protecting privacy and upholding human rights. Researchers from LIRNEasia and partner institutions analyzed how such tensions manifest and are addressed across seven countries—Thailand, India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, and the Philippines.
Oliver Xavier Reyes, a member of the Philippine Bar since 2002 and former editorial board member of the Philippine Law Journal, delivered the opening remarks. He underscored that data is an asset and that robust data governance is a key advantage in policy-making, particularly in the public sector where decisions could impact one way or the other on people’s lives and their livelihood.
Oliver Xavier Reyes delivering the opening remarks, highlighting the importance of data and robust governance in public policymaking
The first session featured Pranesh Prakash, LIRNEasia’s Policy Fellow and Co-Principal Investigator, who provided an overview of regional research on data governance in South and Southeast Asia. This was followed by a presentation on findings from the Philippines’ country research, presented by Oliver Xavier Reyes and Jose Jesus M. Disini, Founder and Managing Partner of Disini & Disini Law Office and Associate Professor at the University of the Philippines College of Law.
Pranesh Prakash, providing an overview of regional research on data governance in South and Southeast Asia
Jose Jesus M. Disini sharing the Philippines’ country research findings, which were presented by him and Oliver Xavier Reyes
A discussion on “Data Governance – Challenges, Gaps, and Opportunities in the Regional Context” moderated by Pranesh Prakash followed these presentations. The speakers included Oliver Xavier Reyes, Ibrahim Kholilul Rohman, PhD, Senior Research Associate at Indonesia Financial Group Progress, and Ashwini Natesan, Research Fellow for Sri Lanka at LIRNEasia. The conversation highlighted regional commonalities, differences, and emerging opportunities for strengthening governance structures.
First panel discussion on “Data Governance – Challenges, Gaps, and Opportunities in the Regional Context”
The focus then turned to the Philippines in a session moderated by Oliver Xavier Reyes. This discussion on “Data Governance – Challenges, Gaps, and Opportunities in the Philippines” featured insights from Jose Jesus M. Disini, Emerson Bañez, Professor at the University of the Philippines College of Law, and Jose Miguel Solis, Attorney-at-law in the Philippines. The exchange underscored both the progress and the gaps that continue to shape the country’s governance landscape.
Second Panel Discussion on ‘Data Governance – Challenges, Gaps, and Opportunities in the Philippines’
The forum was organized to raise awareness among policymakers, academics, and practitioners about the importance of data governance in the Philippines. It sought to strengthen understanding of regional trends, facilitate dialogue on laws and policies, and identify challenges, gaps, and opportunities for improvement. The discussions generated recommendations aimed at enhancing national and regional data governance frameworks, with a view to building stronger, more inclusive, and democratic systems for the future.
Forum participants included experts representing government agencies, academia, and private organizations.
Following the event, a press conference was led by the Philippines researchers, Oliver Xavier Reyes and Jose Jesus M. Disini, with Co-Principal Investigators Helani Galpaya, CEO of LIRNEasia, and Pranesh Prakash providing insights on the regional context. Major media organizations—including BusinessMirror, Tech Sabado, The Manila Times, PhilStar Tech, The Philippine Star, Daily Tribune, Newsbytes PH, Internet Society Philippines, Manila Standard, Philippine News Agency, Malaya Business Insight, and Manila Bulletin—attended the briefing. The press conference discussion focused on the study of data governance in the Philippines, highlighting its key findings and practical implications.
Following the event, a press conference was held on data governance in the Philippines, highlighting its key findings and practical implications
Some coverage of the event is available at the following links:
The Manila Times | BusinessWorld | Philippine News Agency | Newsbytes PH | Daily Tribune | The Philippine Star | BusinessMirror | Upgrade Magazine | Daily Tribune | TechSabado
For those interested, the draft version of the Philippines Country Report is available here.
The research presentations shared at the forum are available below for your reference.
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