Key facts
- The Philippine Senate's official website was defaced and taken offline.
- A message attributed to hacktivists warned of accountability for lawmakers.
- The incident highlights a severe political crisis within the Senate.
- A power struggle for the Senate presidency has led to two senators claiming the leadership post.
- Senator Alan Peter Cayetano seized control of the Senate presidency last month.
- A rival bloc declared the post vacant and installed Senator Sherwin Gatchalian as acting Senate president.
The Philippine Senate's official website was defaced and taken offline on Thursday, with a message accusing lawmakers of betraying public trust and warning of accountability. The phrase "Expect Us," associated with the hacktivist collective Anonymous, was used.
The cyber incident underscores a widening political crisis within the Senate, which is currently experiencing a fierce struggle for its leadership. Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, an ally of former president Rodrigo Duterte and current Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio, had seized control of the Senate presidency last month. However, a rival bloc of 12 senators declared the post vacant last week and installed Senator Sherwin Gatchalian as acting Senate president, deepening the paralysis.
This internal conflict is occurring against a backdrop of broader political tensions involving President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr and the Dutertes. Senator Gatchalian had previously stated that Senate security had been enhanced due to intelligence reports of a potential armed group disruption. Public anger also persists over allegations of massive corruption in flood control projects involving administration officials, lawmakers, and contractors.