BAGUIO CITY — Baguio City Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong has asked the Department of Health to investigate what he said were poor construction standards for three buildings at the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) compound.
In a June 17 letter to Health Secretary Teodoro J. Herbosa, the mayor expressed “profound frustration and concern” over the dismal outcome of building work at the Trauma Center, Outpatient Department and Flavier building.
“Over the past few months, we have received numerous complaints from both hospital staff and patients about the quality of the construction,” he said. “These substandard conditions have not only inconvenienced many but have also compromised the safety and well-being of those who rely on BGHMC for critical emergency services.”
He said the buildings had not improved despite the allocation of substantial funds.
Mr. Magalong also questioned certain processes that “may have led to inferior outputs that are not acceptable by the city’s standards.”
“Given the gravity of these concerns, I respectfully request that a thorough investigation be conducted into the procedures and execution of these projects,” he added. — Artemio A. Dumlao
GILAS PILIPINAS got its trial by fire against elite teams from Europe and South America in pursuit of a coveted Paris Olympics berth and came up short.
But this only strengthened the Pinoy dribblers’ resolve to continue the fight and get it right in four years’ time in Los Angeles.
“Hopefully, we can make it to the Olympics. It wasn’t this year but there’s always a next time that we can give it another go,” Gilas guard Chris Newsome said in an interview on One Sports. “But again, we got so much work to be done and so much to improve on to get there.”
The Nationals bowed out of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Riga, Latvia with a 60-71 loss to No. 12 Brazil in the semifinal stage Saturday night.
The 37th-ranked Filipinos looked on the way to another major upset reminiscent of their earlier 89-80 reversal over host Latvia in pool play when they seized an 11-point lead in the second quarter. But with veteran Marcelinho Huertas taking charge and his teammates holding Justin Brownlee down, the more seasoned Brazilians turned the game around in the second half and ran away with the final-clinching victory.
Had they completed the Brazil takedown, Paris would have been one win away from coach Tim Cone and his 11-strong crew, which was actually reduced further to 10 with Kai Sotto out on a rib injury.
“It’s hard to talk about this right after you lose but it’s a growth experience for us. It’s kinda like a ‘now we know’ moment, ‘now we know we can compete’. So (it’s about) how we can get that next step in which we can get a little bit better, not just compete but win,” said Mr. Cone.
“Playing these kinds of tournaments where you are playing three games in four days, and it just gets harder and harder every game. These are things we’ll need to adjust to.”
There were positives to take away from this campaign.
Foremost was the shocker over Latvia right in their backyard, which marked the country’s first victory against a European rival since 1960. Then there was the gutsy fightback from 20 down in a narrow 94-96 defeat to No. 23 Georgia just 18 hours after the Latvia gig, and even the first half of the Brazil encounter.
At the end of the day, though, Mr. Cone and Co. measure success with goals unlocked.
“We didn’t expect to be here (OQT semis) but once we’re here, we expected to win so it’s an incredible disappointment for us,” said Mr. Cone.
“We’re not going to jump up and down and say ‘yey we did our thing and everybody was proud of us.’ Hopefully, that doesn’t get into our mindset. We need to keep pushing and moving forward, getting better.”
Moral victories may be good but simply won’t cut it for this group, which is designed to stay together until the next World Cup-Olympic cycle.
“Bottom line is we weren’t just good enough tonight (Saturday) and we got to be better. We’re trying to tell ourselves that almost is not good enough. Almost winning, almost getting there, almost that. It’s not good enough. We got to find a way to get over the hump and get there. Tonight we didn’t do that,” rued Mr. Cone. — Olmin Leyba
A NEW breed of talents headed by the vastly talented Thea Gagate will get to realize their dream of playing against the country’s best and brightest as the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) stages its milestone rookie draft tonight at the Novotel in Cubao, Quezon City.
As certain as the sun is shining today, Ms. Gagate, a 6-2 middle blocker from De La Salle, should be picked by the Zus Coffee Thunderbelles, formerly Strong Group Athletics, after the franchise drew the first pick in the breakthrough lottery draft a few weeks ago.
“Thea Gagate is the consensus No. 1. We’re more focused on pick No. 13,” said Zus Coffee coach Jerry Yee, referring to the first pick of the second round.
Capital1 Solar Energy gets to pick second while Galeries Tower and Farm Fresh third and fourth, respectively.
Nxled gets to pick fifth, Akari sixth, Cignal seventh, PLDT eighth, Chery Tiggo ninth, Petro Gazz 10th, Choco Mucho 11th and reigning All-Filipino Conference champion Creamline 12th.
Then Zus, Capital1, Galeries Tower and Farm Fresh get to pick first to fourth in the second round in that order while applying the same order used in the first round the rest of the way.
Majority of the total of 47 aspirants should hear their names called in a ceremony that should reshape the league’s landscape and revitalize fledgling teams eyeing a place in the sun.
Capital1 coach Roger Gorayeb had initially intimated to The STAR his desire to pick either setter Julia Coronel or spiker Leila Cruz, who happens to be both from De La Salle, but after acquiring another setter in the battle-scarred Iris Tolenada, he may shift to Ms. Cruz or another spiker he covets. — Joey Villar
LONDON — Seven-times champion Novak Djokovic shrugged off a slow start to power past unseeded Australian Alexei Popyrin 4-6 6-3 6-4 7-6(3) and into the Wimbledon fourth round on Saturday.
The Serb’s bid for a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title looked under threat when Mr. Popyrin took a 4-3 lead with a blistering crosscourt forehand winner and sealed the opening set with a second-serve ace.
“It was another tough match. I didn’t expect anything less than what we experienced on the court today from Alexei,” said Mr. Djokovic, who was also taken to four sets by Mr. Popyrin at this year’s Australian Open.
“I know he was going to come to the match with confidence, a lot of self-belief. He was close to winning (when we played) in Australia earlier this year.
“With that serve and powerful forehand, he’s dangerous on any surface.”
Mr. Djokovic was quickly back to his best and normal service was resumed.
Appearing rejuvenated after the roof was closed, Mr. Djokovic went 4-1 up in the second set, when fans erupted on Centre Court as news trickled through that England had beaten Switzerland to make the Euro 2024 semifinals.
The amused second seed simulated a penalty kick that Mr. Popyrin pretended to save, to the delight of fans.
Mr. Djokovic had little trouble in the second and third sets, but faced more resistance in the fourth as Mr. Popyrin dug deep in search of his first win in the pair’s third meeting, saving three break points to hold in the 11th game.
After ensuring a tiebreak, however, Mr. Djokovic switched on the after-burners to close out the win, finishing with a fiery serve that Mr. Popyrin could only send into the net. “I played a good second and third set and the fourth was anybody’s game,” Mr. Djokovic added.
“He was serving very well. It was very difficult to read his serve. It was just a very challenging match, mentally as well to hang in there.
“I’m not allowed to have too big concentration lapses. I think I’ve done well in that regard in one of the best tiebreaks I’ve played this year, that’s for sure.”
Mr. Djokovic arrived at Wimbledon weeks after having surgery on his right knee, having injured it at the French Open, but said he was getting better with every match.
“My feeling of movement, confidence particularly extreme balls, reaching, sliding. I definitely got better today than in my second match,” he said, referring to his meeting with Briton Jacob Fearnley where he also dropped a set.
“Hopefully the direction or trajectory will keep going in a positive way. Let’s see what happens in the next one.”
Up next for Mr. Djokovic is 15th seed Holger Rune, who advanced after a five-set marathon against Quentin Halys. — Reuters
PARADISE, Nevada — Uruguay edged Brazil 4-2 in a penalty shootout on Saturday after going down to 10 men in a bruising 0-0 draw at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas to march into the semifinals of the Copa America where they will face Colombia.
With Vinicius Jr. suspended for Brazil and watching on from the stands, Dorival Jr.’s side struggled to create opportunities despite having a man-advantage late in the second half when Uruguay’s Nahitan Nandez was sent off.
In the ensuing shootout, Sergio Rochet saved Brazil’s first penalty from Eder Militao while his teammate Douglas Luiz hit the post to give Uruguay the upper hand.
Although keeper Alisson Becker denied Jose Maria Gimenez and Gabriel Martinelli scored to keep Brazil alive, Manuel Ugarte buried the decisive spot kick as Uruguay continue their quest for a record 16th Copa crown.
In a bruising encounter with 41 fouls from both teams, players from both sides were involved in physical battles across the pitch.
Brazil’s 17-year-old forward Endrick was on the receiving end of brutal challenges as a high-pressing Uruguay refused to give him space to breathe.
On one occasion, Raphinha acted out when Endrick was pushed to the ground by Ronald Araujo as the Brazil skipper retaliated in anger by shoving back before the referee stepped in and had a stern word with both players, keeping his cards in his pocket.
But Araujo’s night ended early when he was taken off with an injury after the half-hour mark and the match suddenly burst into life moments later when Darwin Nunez missed a close range header that sailed over the net.
Within seconds, Raphinha saw his shot on a counter-attack thwarted by keeper Rochet, Brazil’s best chance of the half.
RED CARD ON REVIEW With Uruguay unable to find a way through, coach Marcelo Bielsa made three substitutions by the 67th minute but his plans were thrown into disarray when Mr. Nandez saw red for a painful tackle on Rodrygo. Mr. Nandez attempted to take the ball off the Brazilian with a studs-up challenge but only ended up catching his ankle, but the Real Madrid winger escaped any serious injury and was able to continue.
He was initially given a yellow card but it was upgraded to a red card by the referee following a VAR review.
Uruguay had more shots on goal but it was Brazil who had more on target.
However, Brazil could not score against 10 men as Uruguay sat back in numbers and shut shop for the last 20 minutes, opting to try their luck in the penalty shootout with no extra-time in the Copa America apart from the final.
For Brazil, it is a second straight quarterfinal exit via penalties in a major tournament following their 2022 World Cup loss to Croatia. — Reuters
Iga Swiatek tried everything in her third round set-to against Yulia Putintseva yesterday. She even took a long break between the second and third sets in an effort to regain the confidence that enabled her to take the opener in nine games. En route to losing the decider 6-2, however, it was clear that the comfort and comfortability that she sought stayed elusive until the end. And as she exited No. 1 Court, she could not help but rue the missed opportunity. Once again, she proved unable to conquer Wimbledon.
Indeed, Swiatek has been all but dominant on the women’s tour. Before yesterday’s setback, she had in her pocket an impressive 21-match victory run that underscored her ascendancy in the sport. That said, Wimbledon has been her lone black mark; yesterday’s defeat made her just the second top seed in history to lose multiple times before the fourth round. Ironically, her near-invincible status on clay somewhat prevents her from being better. Her successes at the French Open — with four championships and counting — provide her with an abrupt transition to the premier tournament on grass.
Swiatek isn’t complaining, to be sure. At 23, she has established herself as first among equals. Not for nothing has she been on top of the rankings for a whopping 110 weeks, and such is her lead over second-ranked Coco Gauff that she will not be dethroned despite her early exit from the All England Club. Still, she knows she will need to improve on her spotty Grand Slam record outside of Roland Garros and the United States Open if she is to be counted among the all-time greats.
Whether Swiatek will be compelled to take in some practice time on grass next year is anybody’s guess. Based on her pronouncements, she’s loath to risk injury by tightening her schedule in the three weeks that separate the French Open and Wimbledon. For now, she’s content to see the four Coupe Suzanne Lenglens on her mantel. At some point, though, she will want them to be accompanied by the Venus Rosewater Dish. Then, and only then, can she truly say she has arrived.
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and human resources management, corporate communications, and business development.
A PROTESTER holds a French national flag as people gather to protest against the French far-right Rassemblement National (National Rally - RN) party, at the Place de la Republique following partial results in the first round of the early 2024 legislative elections, in Paris, France, June 30, 2024. — REUTERS
AIX-EN-PROVENCE, France — France’s business elite is anxious about volatile politics, inexperienced policymakers, street protests and a possible wave of bankruptcies in the coming months, executives meeting in Provence said ahead of Sunday’s parliamentary election.
Corporate leaders gathered on Friday and Saturday in the southern city of Aix-en-Provence for France’s annual answer to Davos have been among the main beneficiaries of President Emmanuel Macron’s pro-business reforms since he was first elected in 2017.
Far right and left-wing parties want to roll back some of Mr. Macron’s reforms, ranging from raising the retirement age to scrapping a wealth tax on financial assets.
Voters are set to derail his drive to ease taxes and other constraints on business when — as it is widely expected — they hand Mr. Macron’s party a decisive defeat in an election that polls suggest will give the far right the most seats in parliament. “We are very concerned about what’s going to happen,” Ross McInnes, chairman of aerospace company Safran, told Reuters. “Whatever the political configuration that will come out of Sunday’s vote, we are probably at the end of a reform cycle that started 10 years ago.”
While business leaders tip-toed around the topic of the election in the public panels, they did not conceal their anxiety on the sidelines over the rise of both the far-right and the far-left.
The far-right National Rally (RN) will likely fall short of an absolute majority, leaving other parties to figure out whether a coalition can be formed to govern, which is unprecedented in modern France and would likely be unstable.
“Nothing good ever comes from chaos. I don’t know what’s going to happen, but this is a country that has seen social unrest before,” the head of a large French industrial group said.
INEXPERIENCED LEADERS Business leaders voiced concern that politicians standing at the gates of power lacked experience steering the euro zone’s second largest economy while they also balked at the prospect that France’s already considerable tax burden could grow under the left-wing alliance.
RN leader Jordan Bardella, 28, could become France’s youngest prime minister if the party wins a majority in Sunday’s election.
The political uncertainty has already driven up France’s cost of borrowing as bond investors demanded the highest risk premiums DE10FR10=RR over equivalent German debt in 12 years after Mr. Macron called the snap election last month.
Meanwhile, corporate investors in the real economy are also apprehensive about the political and economic outlook. “We’ve continued to take investment decisions over the past weeks, including in France. But clearly if we had had to make a really major investment decision, we probably would have waited to have better visibility,” said Mathias Burghardt, chief executive officer of Ardian France, a private equity firm.
With no sign the political volatility will subside anytime soon, the higher financing costs could soon feed through to French companies just as they are preparing to roll over ultra-low-cost loans from the COVID era at higher rates, executives said.
“That creates a scenario where we expect corporate defaults to continue to rise in France beyond what could have been if such a political disruption didn’t happen,” Ana Boata, head of economic research at the trade credit insurance arm of Allianz, told Reuters.
Macron’s pro-business reform drive often jarred with voters, sparking sometimes violent street protests like the yellow vest movement of 2018 or marches last year against an overhaul of the retirement system.
Though he won a second term in 2022, Mr. Macron has also failed to connect with many voters, who see him as a product of the closely intertwined political and business elites that run the country.
The anti-immigration, euroskeptic RN has proposed to roll back Mr. Macron’s 2023 increase in the retirement age to 64 from 62 and cut taxes on energy, saying these measures would be paid for by slashing welfare spending benefiting immigrants.
Meanwhile the left-wing Popular Front alliance’s tax-and-spend program would bring back a wealth tax and raise the minimum wage by 14% while also scrapping Mr. Macron’s pensions reform.
A minority government would be constrained by the risk of votes of no confidence, likely making it less able to move ahead with new legislation.
Beyond the possibility of a hamstrung government, business leaders also worried about the knock-on impact RN’s anti-immigrant policies are likely to have on France’s future workforce.
“Demographics show us that we need to attract talent,” said Mr. McInnes. “This country has been sustained by immigration for 300 years.” — Reuters
A WORKER folds an Indian flag at a workshop in India, Aug. 11, 2005. — REUTERS
BAHADURNAGAR, India — Just a pat on the back by preacher “Bhole Baba” and Ramkumari said a stone in her kidney vanished. The 85-year-old gave no proof but this story and countless others of similar “miracles” led to Baba’s following rocketing in India’s northern states.
A gathering addressed by the former police head constable in a crowded field last week drew a quarter of a million people and caused one of the deadliest stampedes in the country.
Bhole Baba, or Innocent Elder, was born Suraj Pal Singh Jatav. He quit the police in 2000 to join a series of Hindu preachers and gurus in India who are sought by millions for miracle cures and spiritual advice. They are often called godmen, and many have been wooed by politicians for the influence they wield.
Their patrons have included international celebrities like the Beatles, who spent days in the ashram of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in the late 1960s. Some of these gurus expanded beyond India, most famously Osho, who lived and preached in the United States in the early 1980s.
Almost all of them are credited by their followers with miraculous powers.
“I had gone to one of his early gatherings and told him I had chronic pain from a kidney stone for many months,” said Ramkumari, Baba’s former neighbor in Bahadurnagar village in India’s Uttar Pradesh state, where he was born and still has a home.
The village has only about 50 homes in all and is set amid fields which grow corn, wheat and rice. On the periphery is a sprawling, pearly-white ashram run by devotees of Baba.
“He smiled and blessed me with a pat on the back. The stone vanished soon after,” said Ramkumari, who gave just one name.
Another resident in the village, 55-year-old Surajmukhi, said Baba’s blessing helped her give birth to a son after seven daughters. Sons are sought after in many Indian families.
“We desperately wanted a boy,” said Surajmukhi. “Then I met Baba with my husband. He made me chant some mantras (verses), gave me some water to drink and patted me on my back. After nine months I had a baby boy.”
Lying on a cot next to her, Baba’s older sister Sonkali, thin and frail, said: “It was a miracle”.
Baba, formally known as Narayan Sakar Hari now, is estimated to be about 72 by his family and followers, who are spread across India’s heartland states of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh.
LINE TO GOD Two neighbors who have known him since his childhood, including Ramkumari, said he took the path after a dream one night about 25 years ago that a divine spirit had given him supernatural powers. He quit the police in the city of Agra and started preaching, they said.
Baba would later claim he had a direct line to God and could channel divine blessings to people.
“Soon after we saw a line of cars bringing Suraj Pal into the village and people said he would henceforth be called a Baba (elder),” Ramkumari said.
Reuters could not contact Baba. He told Reuters partner ANI that he was grieving and his aides would help the injured and the families of the deceased.
The stampede at his gathering on Tuesday killed 121 people, mostly women, and injured scores out of about 250,000 who had congregated in a canopied paddy field to listen to him, many trampling over one another as they ran after his car when he was leaving.
Police say authorities had allowed only 80,000 to attend, and have arrested six aides to Baba who were involved in organizing the event. The main organizer surrendered to police on Friday.
Police said that in the initial days of his rise to fame, Baba had claimed that he could bring the dead back to life and even tried to take away the body of a 16-year-old girl from a crematorium promising a miracle to the family. Police intervened and the matter was closed soon after.
Posters and videos posted on YouTube show him dressed in traditional Indian kurta tunics or pristine white suits and ties, often sporting sunglasses, a departure from the spartan image of most godmen.
Still, his clout is smaller than other gurus and godmen in India, including Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and Sadhguru. Yoga guruBaba Ramdev, known to be close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, runs the Patanjali consumer goods brand that has boomed in recent years.
Two godmen, Asaram Bapu and Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, were both convicted of rape in separate cases and jailed, after years of drawing thousands of devotees to their sermons and ashrams.
GIVE PEOPLE HOPE Sociologists say such gurus are often believed to possess healing powers, and are especially popular among those who are poor, sick or feel underprivileged.
“People are insecure — economically, socially and otherwise,” said Dipti Ranjan Sahu, head of sociology at the University of Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh.
“Unemployment, deprivation, discrimination, ignorance, illiteracy — these things play a part. So they see hope in the godmen, maybe some miracle will happen.”
Surinder Singh Jodhka, who teaches social sciences at New Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru University and has researched on the subject, said “people are kind of looking for some meaning in their life” and that’s where godmen come in.
“People are feeling lost and they are looking for some sense through which they can identify with other people, they feel less lonely,” he said. “This gives them hope and they are willing to believe in it.” — Reuters
BUENOS AIRES – Beef-loving Argentines are cutting back on their steaks as the country’s economy slumps, meaning cattle consumption will likely hit a record low this year, a market report published on Friday showed.
Argentina’s beef consumption in 2024 is expected to total around 44.8 kg (98.77 lb), the lowest since record-keeping began in 1914, said the Rosario exchange, which publishes market updates for grains and livestock. The historic average is nearly 73 kg.
The South American nation’s economy has been hit hard by triple-digit inflation, a recession and rising poverty and unemployment.
Libertarian President Javier Milei, who took office in December, has rolled out austerity measures to reign in government spending. He also ended the previous government’s freeze on beef prices.
Argentina, famed for its beef-eating culture, is dotted with steakhouses, cattle ranches and asado barbecues.
Longer-term trends show the population is increasingly turning to cheaper alternatives such as chicken and pork. In 2024, nearly 2 kg of alternative meats can be purchased for the price of 1 kg of beef, the report showed.
However, this year, all meat consumption is set to drop 9% from last year to the lowest since 2011, the exchange said.
As consumption at home drops, farmers are increasingly shipping their beef abroad, a separate report from the exchange published on Friday showed. Export volumes from January to May of this year are up 10% from the year-ago period.
Despite eating less beef, Argentines consume much more than Americans who chow down an average of 38 kg a year, Australians’ 27 kg, and Chileans’ 26 kg, the exchange added. — Reuters
The number of travelers who go through the Manila International Airport (MIA) have grown from 32 million to 50 million per year, according to Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime J. Bautista.
“Pag pupunta ka rito sa MIA ay makikita mo na napakacongested. Mahaba ang pila, kung minsan walang maupuan, [MIA is really congested. The lines are long, and the seats are insufficient],” he said in a televised interview with government-owned PTV4.
Airport users in recent months took to social media to share their dismay about broken travelators and escalators at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3.
Jusko NAIA, nung umuwi ako nung November 2023 at nung January 2024, sira na toh.
Not to hate pero nakaka dismaya talaga sa Naia T3. Nakaka tatlong labas nako ng bansa this year pero hanggang ngayon, Sira parin lahat ng escalator sa arrival. 🥲 Para bang tumigil na yung pinas sa pag upgrade. Na stuck na sa 1990’s lahat ng facilities. 😢 pic.twitter.com/tyq3CgIWuw
“As early as now nagstartna mag-order ng mga parts ang winning bidder, [As early as now, the winning bidder has already started ordering parts for the renovation,”] Mr. Bautista said on the improvement and repair of elevators, escalators, and travelators.
He added that these must be accomplished by Christmas because of the expected volume of passengers in Terminal 3.
The SMC-SAP & Co. Consortium, consisting of San Miguel Holdings Corp., RMM Asian Logistics, Inc., RLW Aviation Development, Inc., and Incheon International Airport Corp.,was awarded the P170.6-billion contract to rehabilitate NAIA.
“By early next year, dapat makakita na tayo ng reform, ng improvement [we should already see reform and improvement],” Mr. Bautista said.
Improving Ports
Apart from airport rehabilitation, Mr. Bautista also discussed improvement plans for the maritime industry.
“Maraming improvements na nagawa sa ating mga ports [A lot of improvements have been done for our ports].There are like 700 ports all over the country,” he said.
“Dapat ayusin para maging efficient ang operations ng mga barko at maging safe actually. Safety, efficiency, and comfort [We need to fix it to create more efficient, safe, and comfortable ship operations].”
Mr. Bautista said that green operations are also needed to lessen carbon emissions, not just in ships but also in other transport sectors. – Almira Louise S. Martinez
MANILA – The Philippines has turned down offers from the United States to assist operations in the South China Sea, after a flare-up with China over missions to resupply Filipino troops on a contested shoal, its military chief said.
Tensions in the disputed waterway have boiled over into violence in the past year, with a Filipino sailor losing a finger in the latest June 17 clash that Manila described as “intentional-high speed ramming” by the Chinese coast guard.
The US, a treaty ally, has offered support but Manila prefers to handle operations on its own, Armed Forces Chief General Romeo Brawner told Reuters late Thursday.
“Yes, of course, they have been offering help and they asked us how they could help us in any way,” he said.
“We try to exhaust all possible options that we have before we ask for help.”
Manila and Washington are bound by the 1951-Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), a military pact that can be invoked in the case of armed attacks on Philippine forces, public vessels, or aircraft in the South China Sea.
Confrontations between the Philippines and China in Asia’s most contested waters have increased in frequency over the past year as Beijing has pressed its claim to the waterway and Manila continued missions to bring supplies to soldiers living aboard a rusty, aging warship that it grounded on a contested shoal.
Some observers, including former deputy US National Security Adviser Matt Pottinger, have called for direct US naval support for the resupply missions.
But Philippine National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano said the Philippines wanted them to be a “pure Philippine operation”.
“This is our legitimate national interest, so we don’t see any reason for them (the US) to come in,” Mr. Ano told Reuters.
Mr. Ano, who spoke to his US counterpart Jake Sullivan last month to discuss shared concerns over China’s “dangerous and escalatory actions”, said the MDT was “far from being invoked”.
“We (the Philippines and China) agreed that there will be some easing tension, but we will assert our rights, we will not compromise our national interest, and we will continue to fight and claim what is ours,’ Mr. Ano said.
Neither official specified what support the US had offered.
Greg Poling, a South China Sea expert at Washington’s Center for Strategic and International Studies think-tank, told Reuters he believed the US was open to naval escorts for the resupply missions to the stranded vessel. Washington has already provided some limited support, he said.
A Philippine official said last year Manila was consulting the US Army Corps of Engineers on how best to stabilize the BRP Sierra Madre, which was grounded on the contested Second Thomas Shoal, Mr. Poling said, while US aircraft have been filmed providing overwatch of the ship on multiple occasions.
The Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in 2016 that Beijing’s expansive South China Sea claims via its nine-dash line had no basis under international law, but that has not stopped China, which rejects the ruling, from being more assertive in the waterway.
It has deployed coast guard vessels to patrol those areas, alarming the Philippines, rival Southeast Asian claimants and other states operating in the South China Sea, including the US, which is wary about China’s growing military power and territorial ambition.
Military chief Brawner said the United States’ offer of support, made in discussions at his level, was not a direct response to the June 17 incident but rather a reflection of the enduring military alliance between the two countries.
“It is really because of our being treaty allies, so that offer has been available to us for a long time not just because of the incident,” Mr. Brawner said.
“But we did not ask them yet because as per the orders of our president we have to rely on ourself first.”
The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Thursday was a federal holiday in Washington for the United States’ Independence Day.
While China claims nearly all the South China Sea, a major shipping lane with about $3 trillion in trade passing through it annually, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei also claim parts. – Reuters
(From L-R) News5 Anchor Jester G. Delos Santos (moderator and host); Marlon Cruz of Globe Business; Miguel Geronilla of GCash; Raymond Reglos of ISACA Manila Chapter; Renne Barcelona of IBM Consulting Philippines; and Catherine Ann Paleracio of Tonik during the first panel discussion of the BusinessWorld Insights forum held last June — Photos by Arjale Jayrie G. Queral and Jayson John D. Mariñas
Recent BusinessWorld Insights looks through best practices for safeguarding businesses in the digital space
By Mhicole A. Moral, Special Features and Content Writer
As organizations increasingly rely on digital infrastructure, the threat landscape continues to expand, demanding proactive and adaptive strategies to safeguard sensitive data and critical systems.
According to a report published by IT Governance, a total of 35,900,145,035 known records have been breached in 9,478 publicly disclosed incidents worldwide as of May 2024. Another report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) found that the risk of extreme losses from cyber incidents has more than quadrupled since 2017, reaching $2.5 billion. These incidents can undermine trust in the financial system, disrupt critical services, and cause spillover effects to other institutions, posing serious concerns for financial stability.
Ransomware attacks, for instance, have doubled each year since 2019, according to McKinsey & Company. During the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, ransomware attacks spiked by 148%, while phishing incidents increased by 510%.
Artificial intelligence (AI)-driven attacks are also adapting and evolving, making traditional cybersecurity measures less effective. A 2023 report from McKinsey highlights that 53% of organizations acknowledge AI-related cybersecurity risks, yet only 38% are actively working to mitigate these threats.
Experts have noted that businesses and individuals must stay vigilant and proactively address the evolving cyber threats to protect their assets, maintain trust, and safeguard the broader economic and financial system during the BusinessWorldInsights forum, with a theme “Ensuring Business Growth through Cybersecurity,” last June 25 at Dusit Thani Manila.
Securing the future of cybersecurity in the country
In his keynote address, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Assistant Secretary Renato “Aboy” A. Paraiso said that the Philippines has been active in strengthening the country’s capability to secure transactions in cyberspace, stating the importance of the implementation of the National Cybersecurity Act, the implementation of minimum standards, and capacity building initiatives.
“Through Executive Order Number 58, Series of 2024, the National Cybersecurity Plan of 2023 to 2028 was adopted as the whole-of-nation approach the blueprint for bolstering the national cybersecurity defenses,” he mentioned. “The DICT provides the frontline services including the National Security Operations Center or the NSOC. The NSOC operates around the clock to detect and respond to incidents which the dedicated analysts working on a 24/7 shifting schedule, monitoring the assets of all connected agencies and departments.”
According to the Assistant Secretary, NSOC has been proactive in detecting and resolving cybersecurity incidents in the Philippines. To date, the center has handled 3,925 incidents, successfully mitigating and closing 3,210 of these cases, which equates to an 82% resolution rate. Most of these incidents involved breaches within government agencies and local government units (LGUs), with an average resolution time of 30 days.
In December 2023, the DICT launched Project SONAR, an initiative aimed at securing online networks through comprehensive assessment and response mechanisms. According to Mr. Paraiso, Project SONAR performs monthly scans to flag and hunt down vulnerabilities, detecting exposures and misconfigurations in publicly accessible government websites and web applications.
Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Assistant Secretary Renato “Aboy” A. Paraiso delivered the keynote address during the BusinessWorld Insights forum last June at Dusit Thani Manila.
“The NCSP (National Cybersecurity Plan) vision is [to create] a trusted, secure, [and] reliable cyberspace for every Filipino.” Mr. Paraiso said. “[It] focuses on three outcomes: First, proactive protection and security for the state and its people in cyberspace. Second, increasing cybersecurity workforce capabilities. Third, strengthening the cybersecurity policy framework.”
The first outcome emphasizes the protection of the state and its citizens in cyberspace. The plan includes the development of a secure government network infrastructure and the reorganization of the cybersecurity bureau. These measures are aimed to ensure proper threat monitoring and response, particularly within government institutions.
Mr. Paraiso added that the second outcome focuses on training and capacitating the workforce, aiming to ensure the public and private sectors have an adequate number of skilled cybersecurity professionals.
“I think the most important part of the vision that we are currently undertaking in the implementation of the National Cybersecurity Plan is the upscaling of our workforce,” he emphasized. “There is a great disparity between the salaries of those in government and in the private sector. So, once we train our workforce in the government, most of the time they leave because of the opportunities outside. So, it’s important for us not only to upskill but also have that capacity [to retain] the workforce.”
The third outcome aims to solidify the cybersecurity policy framework. The DICT, as mentioned by Mr. Paraiso, is committed to ensuring the effective implementation of existing laws, rules, and regulations related to cybercrime and cybersecurity. A key component of this outcome is the proposed Cybersecurity Act.
The Cybersecurity Act, currently pending before Congress, highlights the role of communication and information in nation-building. It emphasizes the protection of life, liberty, and property, and the promotion of general welfare. The bill aims to combat cybersecurity offenses through detection, investigation, prosecution, and international cooperation.
“Hopefully, it gets passed as part of the framework of the National Cybersecurity Plan. This act entails that we should adopt the just measures to improve our cybersecurity, not only posturing, but our cybersecurity capabilities as well.”
Enhancing cybersecurity for businesses
Industry leaders emphasized the importance of emerging technologies and strategies in enhancing cybersecurity, highlighting the evolving nature of threats and the need for proactive defenses.
Marlon Cruz, director for Business Development at Globe Business, said that the shift towards hybrid work models, accelerated by the pandemic, introduced new vulnerabilities that necessitates a comprehensive inspection of all network traffic.
“Everything inside the perimeter used to be trusted. We only inspected the north and south traffic. But with today’s business evolution, adopting software as a service (SaaS) and moving towards cloud infrastructure, we cannot trust what’s inside anymore. We must inspect east and west traffic, too,” he said during the forum’s first panel discussion.
As a key player in the digital financial sector, GCash emphasized trust and security as fundamental components of their mission.
“GCash is in the business of financial inclusion and financial health improvement,” said GCash Chief Information and Security Officer Miguel Geronilla. “That, itself, is a noble task, but we’re also in the business of trust and security because you wouldn’t pour your money into an [application] or a financial institution where it’s not safe and secure.”
Similarly, an official from Tonik Digital Bank, Inc. shared that there is a growing number of cyberattacks targeting businesses, especially financial institutions.
“We need to assess what we can do more, and what areas to look into, which entails looking at emerging technologies. Even cyber attackers are using advanced methods to execute their attacks. AI, for instance, may be beneficial to companies, especially if it’s aligned with their business needs and models,” said Catherine Ann Paleracio, chief information security officer (CISO) of Tonik.
IBM Consulting Philippines Cybersecurity Leader Renne Barcelona also emphasized that cybersecurity should be considered integral to economic stability and growth.
“Our country’s water supply, electrical grid, and even payroll systems for private corporations are all vulnerable. A prolonged attack on any of these could paralyze operations and lead to severe economic consequences,” he explained. “Consider the impact of losing electrical supply for seven days or the grounding of all international flights due to a cyberattack. These scenarios underline the necessity of robust cybersecurity measures. The potential for disruption makes cybersecurity a key enabler of business continuity and economic stability.”
Meanwhile, a representative from ISACA, a nonprofit global organization dedicated to the development, adoption, and use of globally accepted information security standards and practices, stressed the need for businesses to protect their digital infrastructures as they integrate technology into their operations.
“Technology is not just an enabler of business nowadays; it is already an integral part of it. Our operations are increasingly intertwined with application systems that provide competitive advantage to our organization. The data and information out of these systems give us those insights that are needed for intelligent business decision making,” mentioned Raymond Reglos, president of ISACA Manila Chapter.
“But aside from us,” he added, “the malicious actors also wanted the same information. Therefore, the need to protect our data or infrastructure or application systems. Also, data privacy has never been more urgent.”
Moreover, cyber threats have evolved from isolated incidents to a sophisticated ecosystem of cyber criminals.
“Gone are the days that hackers deface websites for fun. Today, it’s about gaining something tangible,” Mr. Reglos highlighted.
To effectively counter these increasing threats, businesses must harness emerging advanced technologies and improve their digital literacy.
For its part, Globe Business has been proactive in building robust cybersecurity measures. “We started our Cybersecurity Initiative Blueprint in 2014, built our infrastructure in 2015, and operationalized our Security Operations Center (SOC) in 2016,” said Mr. Cruz.
By 2018, Globe had centralized its SOC, extending its capabilities to the Globe Group and Ayala Corp. He also mentioned that the continuous optimization efforts of the company are supporting Globe’s transition from a telco company to a ‘TechCo’ company.
“We’re automating our processes to create cybersecurity policies effectively. As we evolve from a telco to a tech company, we aim to improve our awareness and build a culture of cybersecurity,” Mr. Cruz stated.
Globe Business also aims to help enterprise clients understand their cybersecurity maturity. As the Globe Business Director mentioned, “We assess whether clients are reactive, proactive, or adaptive in their cybersecurity strategies. There’s no foolproof solution, but as clients mature in their cybersecurity practices, they become more resilient.”
Ms. Paleracio of Tonik highlighted the capability of artificial intelligence to process vast amounts of data and automate tasks critical for security analysts.
“AI will be a powerful tool moving forward. because of its capability to process large [amounts] of data and automate things that are helpful to security analysts. But just like any security tool, we need to customize it based on the needs of the organization,” she added.
The Tonik executive also emphasized the critical issue of manpower shortages in cybersecurity, stressing the importance of continuity through effective succession planning. This approach ensures that there are skilled professionals ready to step into key roles, mitigating the impact of staffing challenges on cybersecurity operations.
Meanwhile, IBM’s Mr. Barcelona reiterated the fundamental objectives of cybersecurity: Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability (CIA).
“One of the primary goals of cybersecurity is to ensure that there will be zero data breach incidents happening every day, because a breach incident will result in business downtime or business disruption,” he said.
Mr. Geronilla of GCash added that since cybersecurity is a shared responsibility, businesses must educate consumers alongside including them in digital space, which the fintech company does by educating them in managing their digital finances. He also emphasized the importance of integrating cybersecurity into the core of business strategy, ensuring that cybersecurity measures align with business objectives and safeguard against evolving threats.
Supporting this statement, Mr. Reglos said, “As we embrace innovation, we must also cultivate a culture of continuous learning, awareness and adaptation, ensuring that we are only not prepared for the challenges of the day, but also equipped to tackle the uncertainties of tomorrow.”
“The key to security is embedded in the word itself: ‘you are it.’ Security is everyone’s responsibility. It’s everyone’s task to secure our data infrastructure,” he added.
Safeguarding digital infrastructure through policies
(From L-R) BusinessWorld Multimedia Producer Patricia B. Mirasol (moderator and host); Atty. Aubin Arn Nieva of the National Privacy Commission; DICT Assistant Secretary Renato “Aboy” A. Paraiso; and Alex Bernardino of ePLDT and PLDT Enterprise during the second panel discussion of the BusinessWorld Insights forum held last June
Stakeholders can collaboratively mitigate cyber threats and safeguard the nation’s digital future, supported by proactive policies and public-private partnerships.
According to National Privacy Commission (NPC) Director of Data Security and Compliance Office, Atty. Aubin Arn Nieva cybersecurity efforts must begin with a strong foundation of digital citizenship.
“Strengthening cybersecurity cultivating it from the roots. It does not begin with the intricate software and hardware that we employ in the organization. It begins with the individual. Cybersecurity begins with the person accessing cyberspace,” he said during the second panel discussion of the forum.
At an organizational level, the NPC director stressed the importance of strong corporate governance as the foundation for effective data management and cybersecurity practices. For instance, a robust governance framework not only ensures compliance with regulatory requirements but also fosters a proactive approach to cybersecurity. This includes implementing dynamic policies that adapt to evolving threats and technologies, thereby safeguarding sensitive data and minimizing vulnerabilities.
Alex Bernardino, field CISO and head of Enterprise Consulting Practice of ePLDT and PLDT Enterprise, noted that the growth of the cybersecurity industry has largely been driven by the increasing sophistication of cyber adversaries who view cybercrime as a lucrative business.
Acknowledging this, he emphasized the importance of existing legislative frameworks such as the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 and the Data Privacy Act. However, he mentioned that the effective implementation and strict enforcement of these laws are crucial to combat cyber threats effectively.
“The implementation should be in higher on hand. We have to pursue. We have to implement [the law] in a strictest, and penalize the offenders and the violators. I think that’s the missing portion now,” he added.
At ePLDT, a proactive approach to cybersecurity involves rigorous adherence to privacy standards. Every project, both internal and external, undergoes a Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) to ensure the security of customer data and internal information.
Beyond technological measures, Mr. Bernardino emphasized the importance of community awareness and education in cybersecurity.
“The sad reality here is that cybersecurity is affecting our daily lives. So, we need to really tackle this seriously in the national level, and also in the private sector. A close collaboration is really a need right now to be able for us to protect the Philippine cyberspace.”
The discussion also highlighted the role of legislation in fostering a secure digital ecosystem, essential for attracting foreign investments and ensuring data protection. Key enactments, such as the Cybersecurity Act of 2012 and the Data Privacy Act of 2012, address regulatory gaps and aim to instill confidence among investors.
Despite these advancements, challenges persist, particularly in rural areas where technological infrastructure remains limited. According to Atty. Nieva, disparities between urban and rural connectivity, with varying levels of mobile network technology (2G, 4G, and 5G), pose unique cybersecurity challenges.
“When 5G was introduced to us years ago, there was an increase of cyberattacks because the latency was decreased. Because the data, the transference of data, was more readily available. And so, these cyber criminals are able to exploit it,” he added.
According to DICT’s Mr. Paraiso, the Philippines has a unique environment in addressing cybersecurity policy since the government actively seeks input from industry stakeholders.
Dialogues with private sector representatives help shape legislative initiatives. These interactions inform policymakers about the specific challenges faced by businesses, which are then conveyed to legislative bodies like Congress and the DICT.
Meanwhile, PLDT Group, as one of the largest telecommunications providers in the Philippines, operates under the recognition that any breach affecting their network could have far-reaching consequences for the entire nation. Acknowledging this responsibility, Mr. Bernardino said that the company has implemented rigorous cybersecurity practices to mitigate risks and ensure uninterrupted service delivery.
The PLDT official also emphasizes the importance of cyber awareness among its stakeholders, working closely with the DICT to educate the public and enhance cybersecurity literacy.
PLDT’s cybersecurity strategy focuses on collaborating with key government bodies like the DICT and NPC. According to Mr. Bernardino, PLDT actively participates in the Public Sector Advisory Council, providing advice on cybersecurity and digital transformation initiatives essential for the country’s development.
Moreover, in cases of cyber incidents involving their customers, PLDT cooperates closely with the NPC to swiftly address and resolve issues while upholding data privacy regulations.
Mr. Bernardino also stresses the necessity of due process in handling sensitive data. They adhere strictly to legal requirements, requiring court orders before disclosing customer information to law enforcement agencies.
According to Atty. Nieva of NPC, many users lack sufficient understanding of the risks associated with online activities.
“Common people don’t know what they are doing when they get online. They cannot see data; they cannot understand data, and that’s why they are neglectful in handling it online,” he said.
This gap in awareness poses significant challenges as it exposes individuals and organizations to various cyber threats.
“The government has a responsibility to protect the people, even if the people don’t know what they are doing. That’s why we are heavy in the National Privacy Commission, focusing our efforts on data protection in the countryside.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Paraiso mentioned that policies should not only be robust but also agile enough to respond to emerging threats, especially since the pace of technological advancement has outstripped the ability of regulatory frameworks to keep up.
“It’s really hard, a law has been passed, there is a new challenge. We’re still debating, but it’s over because the challenge has already shifted,” he explained. “Whatever laws we craft and whatever policies we adopt should be adaptive, they should be flexible.”
Similarly, Mr. Bernardino of PLDT emphasized the inevitability of data breaches nowadays and urgent need for proactive measures and resilient policies.
“In cybersecurity, it’s no longer a matter if you’re going to be breached or how you’re going to be breached. It’s only a matter of when. Now, I want to highlight that because organizations should be ready to respond when that happens,” he explained.
“We should be talking about how we can respond as a government agency, as a private institution. We should have learnings here. The learnings we gather should be part of our best practices as an organization and as a government agency, combined with knowledge and experience.” Mr. Bernardino said in Filipino.
Amidst challenges, Atty. Nieva mentioned that while technological advancements benefit society, policymakers must ensure that regulatory frameworks adequately protect personal data.
“These emerging technologies are good for the people, but we have to balance the free flow of information with the inherent right of the people to privacy,” he stated.
In closing, Mr. Paraiso reassured the public of the government’s commitment to cybersecurity.
“I’d like to assure the public right now to trust government. We have a working function at the DICT. That way, we are very, very confident.”
“In a whole-of-nation approach, the public sector and the private sector would collaborate on how to solve [cybersecurity] problems and adapt together to solve these problems,” he added.
This BusinessWorld Insights was in partnership with GCash and Globe Business; and is sponsored by Huawei, ePLDT, PLDT, and PLDT Enterprise; with the support of the Asian Consulting Group, American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, British Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Bank Marketing Association of the Philippines, Management Association of the Philippines, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Philippine Franchise Association, Philippine Retailers Association, and official media partner The Philippine STAR.
