Manila, July 16 -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has updated the government's data security framework through Executive Order (EO) 119, establishing unified rules on data classification, data residency, and cross-border data transfers.

EO 119, signed by Marcos on July 13, updates the Government Data Classification Framework established under Memorandum Circular (MC) 78 issued in 1964.

MC 78, which amends MC 196 issued in 1968, established the data classification framework governing security of classified matter in government offices.

"The existing data classification framework established under MC No. 78, as amended, was formulated in the context of a paper-based bureaucracy and is no longer fully responsive to the demands of cont...