Artificial Intelligence Development and Regulation Act (House substitute bill consolidating 26 bills, 20th Congress)

Summary

The Philippine House of Representatives is drafting a substitute bill, the proposed Artificial Intelligence Development and Regulation Act, that consolidates 26 House bills, three resolutions and a privilege speech. A technical working group under the House Committee on Information and Communications Technology, chaired by Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez, held deliberations in July 2026. The draft favours building capacity, including funding computing access for researchers and promoting AI adoption by small businesses and schools, and reserves strict rules for high-risk systems that decide on matters such as loans, jobs and health; most systems would not need to register. It would establish a phased Philippine AI Commission under the Department of Information and Communications Technology, a bill of rights for AI users and bans on the most harmful uses. It has not passed either chamber.

Key dates

1. October 16, 2026Checked against sources
2. October 21, 2026Checked against sources

Developments are added when the record is reviewed. Next review: January 15, 2027.

Evidence

Each passage is quoted from its source. The quoted passages are re-checked against the live pages every month.

1. the 20th Congress of the Philippines, which commenced on July 28, 2025, has introduced various legislation to reduce the harmful effects of AI.

   Supports: 20th Congress context

   Regulating Risk: The 20th Congress of the Philippines Response to Artificial Intelligence Foundation for Media Alternatives Reporting or analysis

2. The measure is a priority of the House of Representatives, with 26 House bills, three House resolutions and one privilege speech referred to the TWG and subsequently consolidated in the draft substitute bill.

   Supports: Consolidation; stage (TWG)

   In the current version of the substitute bill, most AI systems will not need to register with the government. Registration and safety checks apply only to high-risk systems.

   Supports: High-risk focus

   Proposed AI bill gains momentum in Congress Philstar.com Reporting or analysis

3. The proposed Artificial Intelligence Development and Regulation Act will fund computing access for Filipino researchers and push AI adoption into small businesses and schools, a press release from Benitez office said.

   Supports: Bill name; build-first content

   House Bill on AI charts Filipino path: Build first, regulate by risk Digicast Negros Reporting or analysis

4. consolidates 26 bills, three resolutions and a privilege speech into a single substitute bill, establishing a phased Philippine AI Commission under the Department of Information and Communications Technology.

   Supports: Proposed regulator

   Regulate risk, not progress, business leaders urged Philstar.com Reporting or analysis