Firewalls & Family Feuds: The Philippines' Cybersecurity Challenge Amid Geopolitical Tensions

With the start of the Philippines’ campaign season for the mid-term elections on May 12, 2025, the country not only anticipates an escalation of rivalries between the Marcos-Duterte divide but is also navigating rising tensions between the U.S. and China. Instead of open warfare, geopolitical conflicts increasingly play out in the digital realm, with cyberattacks posing a growing threat to democratic institutions and national sovereignty. 

Read on to explore how the Philippines is strengthening its digital infrastructure to protect its democracy from domestic and foreign interference and the critical steps it must take to enhance its resilience.

The Midterm Elections: What’s at Stake?

Traditionally, the Philippine midterm elections serve as a test of public confidence in the sitting administration as voters elect new members of Congress. The 2025 polls will determine the 317 seats in the House of Representatives and 12 of the 24 Senate seats, shaping the composition of the 20th Congress of the Philippines. However, this year’s elections go beyond evaluating President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s leadership; they will determine the course of the ongoing feud between the country's most influential political dynasties, the Marcos and Duterte families.

In 2022, President Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte, daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, campaigned under the 'UniTeam' banner, projecting an image of the apparent end of the family rivalry. However, it was no surprise that their political differences soon resurfaced, turning them into bitter opponents once again. Now, the 2025 midterm polls will not only shape Marcos’ remaining years in office but could also determine Duterte’s political future. Currently facing impeachment, the vice president’s Senate trial in July could permanently bar her from public office — a decisive blow to her 2028 presidential ambitions and a significant setback for the Duterte dynasty.

Proxy War Between the US and China

Beyond family politics, the midterms are also clouded by the influence of the U.S. and China, adding complexity to the elections. During his tenure, Marcos has consistently strengthened ties with the country’s long-time Western ally, permitting U.S. military presence in the Philippines under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) in an effort to assert control over the contested South China Sea. Meanwhile, the Duterte family has historically favored China, the Philippines' largest economic trading partner, aligning with Beijing’s economic interests. 

The nation is divided over the escalating tensions surrounding the territorial claims in the South China Sea, particularly in areas within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Despite the 2016 international ruling rejecting China’s claims, Beijing continues to militarize the region. This divide between aligning with U.S. defense strategies or pursuing closer economic ties with China has deepened the political rift, making the 2025 elections not only a contest for leadership but also a decisive moment for the future direction of the Philippines' foreign policy.

Politics in the Digital Age: The Rising Importance of Cybersecurity

Politics today is increasingly fought on an online battlefield. Social media, troll armies, and disinformation campaigns have become powerful tools for political influence, with domestic and foreign actors leveraging digital platforms to sway public opinion. The rising threat of cyberattacks on global supply chains further heightens the stakes. These developments highlight the growing need for robust cybersecurity, to prevent disinformation and safeguard democratic integrity.

As political infighting intensifies, the Philippines has become a field study for digital political warfare in Southeast Asia. Internally, the disinformation machinery orchestrated under Rodrigo Duterte’s term is now targeting President Marcos, with false claims flooding social media. One of the most notable claims has been Duterte’s repeated accusations of Marcos' alleged drug addiction. Meanwhile, China's influence in Philippine disinformation campaigns is growing as well. Several Chinese-linked accounts spreading content to undermine the Marcos administration, while defending the Duterte family, have been identified as part of a broader strategy to manipulate public opinion and destabilize the government. 

Philippines' Minister for Information and Communications, Ivan Uy, remarked in a conversation with news agency Reuters, “World War III is happening and it is cyber,” following the detection of foreign attempts to access intelligence data. Just the year before, Chinese hackers  attempted to breach government websites and email systems, potentially looking for information on maritime security. 

Expecting more attacks in the future, the Philippines case highlights the urgent need to mitigate cyber risks.  In order to retain its political sovereignty, the country will need to set its focus on conducting thorough security audits, diversifying technology providers, and implementing stricter procurement policies. 

Philippines’ Rise in Cybersecurity

Amid the complexities of the global online arena, the Philippines has recognised the need for stronger digital defenses and made significant strides in improving its infrastructure. Recognised by the 2024 United Nations Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI), the country climbed from 61st place in 2020 to 53rd, with its cybersecurity score rising to 93.49 points. The country has reached the second Tier, only 151 points short of joining the world's best ‘Rolemodelling’ jurisdictions.  A key driver of this progress is the National Cybersecurity Plan (NCSP) 2023-2028, Marcos’ flagship initiative, mandated across all government agencies. 

Through a multi-faceted approach, the NCSP framework presents critical  issue areas to address the growing challenges in cybersecurity:

• Proactive protection of government and the people in cyberspace increased
• Increase trainings and cybersecurity workforce capabilities 
• Strengthened cybersecurity policy framework, aligned with global standards 

Despite the administration's ambitions to further boost the Philippines’ global standing, the country remains vulnerable. Persistent cyberattacks continue to target the government, financial, and telecommunications sectors. The NCSP presents only a framework that requires concrete action steps developed by relevant ministries. Without clear enforcement steps, funding, and finalized legislation — such as the stalled Cybersecurity Act — its impact is limited. 

Cyber defense platform BlueVoyant highlighted critical gaps in third-party risk management. Over 80 percent of companies reported cyber threats in 2024, with 32 percent of respondents unable to detect cybersecurity incidents within their supply chains. 

Challenges and Future Outlook

As global interdependence becomes increasingly conflicted, soft powers like trade, technology, and information have become tools of political competition. In order to secure its digital sovereignty and protect the democratic structure, the Philippines must move beyond fragmented efforts and take decisive action.

While businesses are increasing their cybersecurity budgets, the GCI assessment finds that the Philippines still has considerable room for improvement, particularly in terms of human resources and intersectoral cooperation. Given the spike in cyber hacking and misinformation, this means strengthening risk detection, expanding cybersecurity training programs to address the shortage of professionals, and enforcing stricter legal frameworks to close existing security gaps.

So far, this year’s elections have  been dominated by politicians prioritising re-election, resulting in inefficient governance and a lack of meaningful policy reform. As cyber threats grow more sophisticated, the Philippines must shift its focus, testing its political leadership and cyber resilience. Whether the Philippines can navigate these digital and geopolitical challenges will determine its ability to safeguard democracy in the modern era.