Philippine Senate website hacked amid political crisis

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.