Senator seeks OMB abolitionSenator Win Gatchalian answers questions from the media during the "Kapihan sa Senado" press conference in Pasay City on January 8, 2025. MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian has filed a measure seeking to abolish the Optical Media Board (OMB), arguing that the agency has outlived its relevance as piracy has shifted from physical media to the digital space. Gatchalian, who chairs the Senate committee on finance, said the OMB was designed to regulate a disc-based piracy industry that has largely disappeared. 1654, the OMB’s powers, functions and resources would be transferred to the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL). The bill also provides for the absorption of OMB Secretariat employees into IPOPHL without any reduction in salaries or benefits.

Source: Philippine Star January 18, 2026 02:42 UTC