Senate website defaced in cyberattack, investigation underway

The Senate of the Philippines confirmed that its official website was defaced in a cyber incident, as a group identifying itself as hackers claimed responsibility for the attack.

In a statement, the Senate said it has already launched an investigation of the breach.

"Upon detection of the incident, our technical team immediately initiated security protocols, contained the issue, and commenced a comprehensive investigation to determine the cause and extent of the unauthorized activity," it said.

"Additional security measures are also being implemented to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future," it added.

The Senate also said its initial assessment showed that no confidential or sensitive information had been compromised in the attack. "The website primarily contains publicly available documents and informational materials intended for public access," they said.

"We assure the public that protecting the integrity and availability of our systems remains a top priority. We continue to closely monitor the situation and will provide updates as necessary," they added.

The term defacement refers to a cyberattack in which hackers alter the appearance or content of a website, according to the Canadian Centre for Cybersecurity.

A Facebook group calling itself Nullsec Philippines later claimed responsibility for the incident and said it was monitoring the Senate.

"The Filipino people entrusted you with power, responsibility, and the duty to serve the nation-- not personal interests, political dynasties, or corrupt networks," the group said. "Every peso lost to corruption is a meal taken from a family, a classroom left unfinished, and a future denied," they added.

The group also called for stronger transparency and accountability in government. "To those who serve with integrity, continue your work. To those who abuse the public's trust, know that citizens are paying attention. The people deserve the truth," it added.

As of Thursday afternoon, the Senate website displayed a notice saying it is under maintenance, advising users to check back later.

Access to the Senate website has also been restricted as Senate personnel are currently under a work-from-home arrangement from June 10 to 11, 2026, amid heightened security measures following reported threats.