Senator Loren Legarda has asked the Philippine Senate to conduct a full investigation into the “Epstein files,” saying that the country must never be used to conceal or enable crimes.

Legarda filed Senate Resolution No. 300 calling for the protection of Filipino children from abuse and exploitation as certain "Epstein files" indicated that the late American financier Jeffrey Epstein allegedly hired a Philippine-based team in 2010 to manipulate online search results and obscure his criminal history.

Epstein, an American financier convicted of sex offenses, was accused of running a global trafficking network. Arrested in 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges, he later died in custody in New York while awaiting trial. 

READ: FACTBOX: Late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's ties to politicians, business titan

The so-called “Epstein files,” released by the U.S. Department of Justice, include thousands of pages of depositions, testimonies, emails, and communications detailing the scope of his worldwide operations.

Legarda said Filipino companies and individuals involved in the Epstein controversy should be held accountable for their actions.

She cited  the country’s obligations under international conventions,  Philippine Constitution provisions on youth protection, and existing laws against trafficking and child exploitation.

“These laws are clear: trafficking, child pornography, and concealment of exploitation are crimes. If Filipino individuals or entities were involved in Epstein’s digital cover-up operations, we must investigate thoroughly and hold accountable those who undermine our protections,” Legarda stressed.

“Our children must never be exposed to exploitation networks, whether here or abroad. The Epstein files reveal disturbing global operations, and we have a duty to ensure that the Philippines is not used as a platform for concealment or abuse,” Legarda said in a statement.

She urged government agencies to ensure that Philippine institutions and digital platforms are not exploited to conceal or enable crimes.

Under the resolution that Legarda filed, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) are directed to probe possible concealment and manipulation of information.

The resolution tasks the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) and the Inter-Agency Council Against Child Pornography (IACACP) to review the regulation of internet intermediaries and reputation-management services, while the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is mandated to coordinate with the United States and other jurisdictions to secure authenticated information.

The agencies are required to submit a consolidated report to the Senate within 90 days.

The report must cite possible involvement of Filipino individuals or entities, the nature and extent of any exposure, applicable legal provisions and liabilities, and recommended legislative and regulatory reforms.

“We must strengthen our safeguards to protect victims and to ensure that the Philippines is never exploited as a hub for concealment. This is about accountability, prevention, and compliance with our human rights obligations,” Legarda said.

She hopes that the resolution can help address policy gaps and ensure that the Philippines remains a safe and accountable digital environment, especially for the youth.

-Paraluman News