Load up on salad and pizza before hitting the slots

February 6, 2025 | 12:04 am

1 of 2

PIZZAS are playing the game at Solaire Resort North’s Trattoria e Dolci. During a tasting on Jan. 24, we got a spread of their pizzas and salads — but surprisingly, zero pasta.

“We wanted to focus on pizzas and salads here,” Sandro Alessandrini, director of food and beverage for Solaire Resort North said. “As opposed to Finestra, where we have pasta, has a little bit of a broader menu.” Finestra, which is present at both Solaire Resort North and Solaire Entertainment City in Paranaque, is Trattoria e Dolci’s fancier sibling. A trattoria, by definition, is less formal than Finestra’s ristorante and is more akin to what the French call a bistro.

Well, since we didn’t have to save space for carb-heavy pasta that day, we had all the salads they could offer.

The Seared Tuna salad with artichokes, fennel, and green beans was crisp, light, and piquant, like a salad should be; while the Classic Beef Carpaccio with USDA beef tenderloin, arugula, and shaved Parmesan was surprisingly mild. The Caprese with mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and basil tasted like it should.

As for the Calzone, we got a portion that was a bit too crusty (we were sharing with four), but that’s a problem I made for myself. The next belly-bursting serving with mozzarella, ham, olives, and mushrooms was worth it.

Mr. Alessandrini told us that their Stefano Ferrara pizza ovens come all the way from Naples (the birthplace of modern pizza). The result was a crispy crust (too crispy for our taste, but everyone else at the table disagreed) with some still-chewy spots, and the Trattoria pizza with Mortadella (pork sausage), burratta, and pistachio, was mild and satisfying. The spicier Diavola option, with spicy salami and chili flakes, might be a better crowd-pleaser.

From the restaurant’s Dolci side, we ended the meal with a thick chocolate gelato, made with milk and not cream; the traditional way, according to Mr. Alessandrini.

Most of the equipment and the ingredients in the restaurant come from Italy, down to their tomato sauce, according to Mr. Alessandrini.

“It’s a very fast-paced restaurant,” he said. “Pizza takes three, four, five minutes to prepare; and two to three minutes to cook.”

In the second quarter of 2025, Solaire Resort North is opening an “immersive” dining outlet (with performances and such), the last restaurant to be opened in the new resort.

Trattoria e Dolci is located on the Ground Floor of Solaire Resort North on EDSA, Quezon City, at Vertis North. — Joseph L. Garcia

Sunlight Air eyes bigger aircraft

February 6, 2025 | 12:04 am

SUNLIGHT AIR said it plans to acquire large aircraft as the government mandates the removal of turboprop operations from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

“We are already starting our planning sessions for bigger-capacity aircraft. Like any company, we always think about growth. It is definitely in the pipeline,” Sunlight Air Chief Executive Officer Ryna C. Brito-Garcia said during a media event in Makati City late Tuesday.

Last month, Sunlight Air announced the acquisition of an ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft as part of its fleet expansion. The model can seat up to 78 passengers.

The airline currently operates three ATR 72-500 planes. The recent acquisition will be added to the company’s fleet by early March.

Ms. Brito-Garcia said Sunlight Air will maximize the March 2026 deadline given to airlines for the transfer of turboprop operations out of NAIA.

In April last year, Sunlight Air relocated its hub to Clark International Airport from NAIA, citing the former’s availability of space and advanced technologies.

“There are runways in the Philippines that only allow turboprops because of the (runway) length. So, we’re going to have to figure out how to make that experience still accessible and seamless. We just have to work on the transportation between Manila and Clark,” she said.

“We’re considering offering a point-to-point transportation option from the south all the way to Clark. Sunlight Air is still operating out of Manila, even in 2025 and up to 2026,” she added.

Ms. Brito-Garcia said that Sunlight Air has flown half a million passengers since its establishment in 2019.

She added that the company is targeting a 30% increase in passengers flown this year. The airline flew around 30,000 passengers last year.

“There’s been a 30% increase already from January 2024 to January 2025. If we’re able to sustain that throughout the peak season, we should be able to see that growth as well,” she said.

In terms of new routes, Ms. Brito-Garcia said some of the locations being considered include Siquijor and Bantayan Island in Palawan.

“A lot of Filipinos are looking for island destinations that aren’t the usual island destinations,” she said.

Currently, Sunlight Air flies from Clark, Cebu, and Manila to Siargao; San Vicente, Coron, and Busuanga in Palawan; and Caticlan, Aklan; Iloilo; and Cagayan de Oro.

Also on Tuesday, Sunlight Air launched its new look and branding as part of its efforts to improve customer experience.

The airline also previewed its Sunlight Air Miles loyalty program, where passengers can earn miles for flight and non-flight benefits such as merchandise and treats from partner brands and hotels. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

PHL companies need to invest in risk strategies amid rising cyberattacks

February 6, 2025 | 12:04 am

PHILIPPINE COMPANIES must ramp up investments to comply with governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) strategies for data protection as cyberattacks become more advanced, according to cybersecurity firm Ampcus Cyber.

“GRC makes sure that all of the data that these big companies are using — let’s say a bank, a BPO (business process outsourcing), a service provider — stay protected,” Deep Chanda, chief executive officer at Ampcus Cyber, told BusinessWorld on the sidelines of an event last month.

“Let’s say you go to a hospital. You need to give your confidential health details. These are very confidential information, and you do not want your personal data to go out for companies, large organizations to misuse those,” he added.

Companies are working to establish and follow their own GRC frameworks amid rising cyber threats, increased regulatory compliance requirements, complexity of digital ecosystems, and data privacy concerns, Ampcus Cyber said.

For its part, CIS Bayad Center, Inc. is looking to invest in compliance tools and increasing awareness about cyber threats, according to its president and CEO Lawrence Y. Ferrer.

“We have to allocate more resources and budget to be able to support the ever-growing need to protect our customers, as well as to be able to provide operational resiliency, and last, regulatory compliance,” he said on the sidelines of the same event.

“This includes investing on AI (artificial intelligence) as well as compliance tools that our team can use to know our customers, identify threats, and provide the necessary protection.”

Carlos Tengkiat, chief information security officer at Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., said the lender wants to focus on compliance with security standards.

“Our main focus here is first, regulatory compliance, but this time, how about standards compliance? So, we’ve been doing self-assessments, but [we thought,] ‘Let’s formalize it into a system.’”

Marlon Sorongon, chief information security officer at Maybank Philippines, said they are also working to boost compliance with evolving data and AI regulations.

“There are also some regulations that will continue to shape compliance — areas like data privacy, AI frameworks — so those are the things that have to focus on as a bank,” he said. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

Term deposit yields slip on dovish BSP signals

February 6, 2025 | 12:04 am

TERM DEPOSIT yields fell on Wednesday amid signals of further rate cuts by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), albeit smaller and fewer than initially expected.

The central bank’s term deposit facility (TDF) fetched bids amounting to P274.557 billion on Wednesday, higher than the P230-billion offering and P150.399 billion in tenders for the P240 billion auctioned off a week ago.

Broken down, tenders for the seven-day papers reached P144.992 billion, above the P120 billion auctioned off by the central bank and the P131.646 billion in bids for the same volume offered the previous week.

Banks asked for yields ranging from 5.75% to 5.789%, slightly narrower than the 5.75-5.8% band seen a week earlier. This caused the average rate of the one-week deposits to inch down by 0.47 basis point (bp) to 5.7754% from 5.7801% previously.

Meanwhile, bids for the 14-day term deposits amounted to P129.565 billion, higher than the P110-billion offering and the P118.753 billion in tenders for the P120-billion offer auctioned off a week earlier.

Accepted rates for the tenor were from 5.79% to 5.835%, slimmer than the 5.79% to 5.87% margin seen a week ago. With this, the average rate for the two-week deposits declined by 1.31 bps to 5.8143% from 5.8274% logged in the prior auction.

The central bank has not auctioned off 28-day term deposits for more than four years to give way to its weekly offerings of securities with the same tenor.

The term deposits and central bank bills are used by the BSP to mop up excess liquidity in the financial system and to better guide market rates.

Term deposit yields were slightly lower after “dovish” signals from the BSP chief and bets of another rate cut as early as next week after full-year 2024 Philippine gross domestic product (GDP) growth missed the government’s target, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said in a Viber message.

BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. last week said that a rate cut is “on the table” at the Monetary Board’s Feb. 13 policy meeting, with economic growth “a little bit below capacity.”

He said a negative output gap could prompt further monetary easing, especially if the gap widens.

Philippine GDP grew by 5.6% in 2024, falling short of the government’s 6-6.5% target.

He added that the BSP may slash benchmark interest rates by a cumulative 50 bps this year in a gradual manner as “policy insurance” against risks, saying that 75 bps or 100 bps in cuts may be “too much.”

Mr. Remolona said the reductions could be delivered in increments of 25 bps each in the first and second half of the year.

The Monetary Board has cut benchmark borrowing costs by 75 bps since kicking off its easing cycle in August last year, bringing the policy rate to 5.75%.

Benign inflation could also justify further monetary easing by the BSP, Mr. Ricafort added.

The consumer price index rose 2.9% year on year in January, steady from December but up from 2.8% in the same month in 2024, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported on Wednesday.

This was within the BSP’s 2.5%-3.3% forecast for the month but was a tad higher than the 2.8% median estimate in a BusinessWorld poll of 16 analysts. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson

Persons With Discount

February 6, 2025 | 12:03 am

I have a medical condition, but it doesn’t qualify me as a Person With Disability (PWD). Nor am I a senior citizen — although I’m getting there. Frankly, I look forward to the day I become a “dual” citizen, given all the “privileges” that come with it.

The thing is, by the time I turn 60, there may already be changes in the law governing the “discounts” currently enjoyed by seniors and PWDs. The restaurant industry is already up in arms over the widespread abuse enabled by the proliferation of fake PWD IDs.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the pharmaceutical and retail industries follow suit. They, too, are taking a hit. Seniors and PWDs enjoy discounts on public transportation and medical services, and I am certain that not all who avail themselves of these benefits are legitimately entitled to them. Even funeral services offer discounts to seniors and PWDs.

Resto PH, an association of restaurant owners in the Philippines, has publicly voiced its concern over fake PWD IDs. It’s easy enough to verify a senior citizen’s eligibility — a government-issued ID or even physical appearance can confirm whether someone is over 60. But for PWDs, verification is trickier.

Resto PH’s complaint is clear: “Many people don’t realize that it’s not the government covering the 20% discount — it’s the businesses themselves. Every fraudulent discount comes directly out of a restaurant’s pocket, cutting into already thin margins.

“For restaurants, especially small and family-run ones, this isn’t just an inconvenience — it’s a financial hit that can mean the difference between survival and closure,” it added. “This isn’t just about lost revenue; it affects employees, food quality, and even menu prices for honest customers.”

Obviously, this problem won’t be easy to solve. The issuance of PWD cards is decentralized, with over 1,600 cities and municipalities nationwide, each with its own Persons with Disability Affairs Office or Social Welfare and Development Office authorized to issue PWD IDs.

Unsurprisingly, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has entered the fray, claiming that the use of fake PWD IDs amounts to tax evasion, leading to a revenue loss of approximately P88.2 billion in 2023. In addition to the 20% discount, purchases by PWDs are also exempt from the 12% VAT.

If my calculations are correct, the 20% discount and VAT exemption granted to seniors and PWDs are extremely generous benefits unique to the Philippines. I am not aware of any other country in the world that offers similar privileges.

Singapore has its “Pioneer Generation” card, which provides medical benefits to people born in 1949 or earlier. In the US, public transportation systems that receive federal funding offer discounted fares to those aged 65 and over and to PWDs, but only during off-peak hours. Some local governments provide property tax reductions for eligible PWD homeowners.

In the UK, the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme grants free off-peak local bus travel to older and disabled residents. PWDs can also avail themselves of council tax reductions, free prescriptions, and discounted rail travel.

During a casual conversation, a restaurant owner shared with me her struggles with fake PWD IDs. Not too long ago, she caught nine customers trying to pass off fake IDs as legitimate. She mentioned an app that allowed her to verify the authenticity of PWD IDs. However, she was uncertain if the app could access updated data.

She also revealed how some restaurant cashiers abuse the system by keeping copies of seniors’ and PWDs’ IDs on file. These unscrupulous cashiers then log regular sales as discounted sales, using details from real seniors and PWDs, and pocket the difference between the cash collection and the official sales tally.

In short, restaurant owners are fighting fraud both externally and internally. On top of that, government inspectors conduct random audits and demand up-to-date records of regular and discounted transactions. Establishments that fail to maintain proper documentation face daily fines.

Perhaps in the near future, technology will help curb these abuses. During my travels, I have seen how small businesses in other countries have leveraged technology to streamline operations and minimize fraud.

For instance, many small restaurants in Japan operate with just one cook and one server. Customers place their orders and pay using a kiosk or vending machine at the front of the store. The machine prints a ticket indicating the order, which the customer hands to the server, who then relays it to the kitchen. Cash never changes hands.

A similar system is used in convenience stores, where attendants only scan merchandise. A screen facing the customer displays the total bill and purchased items. Customers then pay directly to the machine, either in cash or electronically. The register automatically counts the cash and issues change, preventing attendants from handling money.

In the Philippines, a comparable system could be implemented. Self-service kiosks could require the serial number of a senior or PWD card, which would then be validated instantaneously through a national online database. This would automatically reject fraudulent entries and prevent abuse.

Government intervention should focus on creating and maintaining an updated national database of all senior and PWD cards issued by local governments. This database must be regularly updated and made accessible through mobile apps and online platforms, enabling establishments to verify the legitimacy of senior and PWD IDs in real time.

This initiative should be considered part of tax administration reform. An P88.2-billion tax loss in 2023 is more than enough incentive for the government to implement an efficient and effective system to monitor and verify senior and PWD cards used for discounts and tax exemptions.

Ultimately, the goal is not to remove the benefits afforded to seniors and PWDs but to ensure that they are granted only to those who truly qualify. Without proper safeguards, businesses will continue to suffer losses, tax revenues will keep dwindling, and the integrity of the system will remain compromised.

Marvin Tort is a former managing editor of BusinessWorld, and a former chairman of the Philippine Press Council

matort@yahoo.com

Paint the town red on Valentine’s

February 6, 2025 | 12:03 am

1 of 2

HERE are several ways for couples to paint the town red on Valentine’s Day, from up in the skies to next to each other, cooking together.

The Pen takes love to new heights

When was the last time you did something unexpected and spectacular for Valentine’s Day? Launch your love for each other high above the Manila skyline at The Peninsula Manila with the Old Manila x Air Taxi Fly & Dine Epic Date Helicopter Tour. This VIP-style private tour (a minimum of two guests, and a maximum of six) will take you on a romantic 15-minute helicopter journey of the iconic sites of Metro Manila where, as you fly high above the exciting landscape, you and your partner will enjoy quality time together making unforgettable memories. Upon your return, an indulgent six-course set dinner paired with a bottle of Peninsula Deutz Champagne awaits at Old Manila. To make the experience even sweeter, there will be a tin of Old Manila chocolate caviar pearls to take home. The chopper journey starts with a pre-departure at 4 p.m., departs at 4:45 p.m., then lands back for dinner at 6:30 p.m. It costs P19,880 per guest, inclusive of helicopter journey, dinner, Champagne, and taxes. A lower-priced option is at P8,200 per guest, inclusive only of dinner, a complimentary flute of Moscato d’Asti, and taxes.

On Feb. 14, from 7 to 10 p.m., The Lobby will transform into a romantic musical haven where lovers can enjoy a four-course menu of Mosaic of Salmon and Tuna, Seafood Bisque, Grilled Angus Tenderloin or Maine Lobster, and a dessert of Rouge Craquelin. Guests booking a dinner table on Valentine’s Day will be serenaded by the acclaimed Battig Chamber Singers and Peninsula Strings. Music and Romance at The Lobby is P5,990 per guest, inclusive of taxes.

At Escolta from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m., a dinner buffet unfolds like a love letter written with Valentine-themed seasonal treasures. It’s at P4,490 per adult guest, inclusive of taxes, with an additional P1,500 when enjoying Escolta’s extensive selection of free-flowing wines (and at P2,290 per guest under 12).

Meanwhile, The Peninsula Boutique’s popping up at The Lobby with a display of chocolate hearts, love-inspired cakes, and armfuls of flowers, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For inquiries or more information on dining at The Peninsula Manila on Valentine’s Day, call 8887-2888 ext. 6694, or e-mail diningPMN@peninsula.com.

Casa Buenas’ love, Filipino-style

This Valentine’s Day, Casa Buenas at Newport World Resorts invites guests to celebrate at La Serenata with a nine-course meal designed to take guests on a journey through the metaphorical stages of love, all paired with a selection of red, white, or sparkling wines.

The evening begins with Primera Vista, a story of tapas, with chorizo patatas bravas to lowa salmon. After that first interaction, delve into Tomarse Manos, a Filipino classic, kinilaw na isda (raw fish ceviche). Molo Soup, a comforting hot soup with dumplings and meat, represents the warmth and security of an embrace. The Cariño course is a tropical love affair with grilled marinated tuna and prawns, complemented by a creamy coconut and pumpkin purée, and finished with heirloom red rice. The Pasión course features wagyu beef in a Filipino-style “hotpot” served with vegetables, bone marrow, beef tenderloin, and beef jus. Other courses include a grilled pompano fillet, served with a smoky eggplant ensalada; Kare-kare (slow-roasted US beef rib-eye and braised Angus beef short ribs in a peanut sauce, paired with a pita glazed in shrimp paste), and Corazón, a hearty burnt Basque cheesecake served in a pot plant, with coffee custard, and strawberry semifreddo. Couples can reserve the Couple’s Table for P13,000 net (for two persons).

For a magical evening under the delicate wings of butterflies, the La Cupula gazebo offers a romantic setting for P52,000 net (for six persons). Or, for a grander affair, the Pamilya Table accommodates up to eight guests for P65,000 net, perfect for sharing the love with family and close friends. Singles can also enjoy the meal for P7,000 net.

For reservations and inquiries, contact 7908-8988 or 0917-878-8312, or e-mail casa.buenas@newportworldresorts.com.

Date and decorate with Honeybon

Honeybon’s Date and Decorate, scheduled for Feb. 15 at 4 p.m. at Gringo Greenhills, is a decorating workshop where you can create a cake as sweet as your love story.

For P1,430, participants will enjoy a package that includes one petite cake of one’s choice to decorate, a serving of pasta, snacks, and drinks. Participants can choose from a lineup of petite cakes: Tres Leches Cheesecake, Red Velvet Cake, or Honeybon’s new Strawberry Matcha Mousse Cake. The registration fee covers up to two participants per cake, making it ideal for couples, families, or friends. Solo participants can also enjoy this event as a chance to treat themselves.

To reserve a spot, message Honeybon on their social media accounts (@honeybonph). Gringo Greenhills is located at G/F, O Square 2, Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan, Metro Manila.

Valentine’s cooking class through time

Guava Sketches and Robert Villarcabral of the Histolinarya Collective (the heritage cooking content creator) will collaborate on a Valentine’s Cooking Class called “For The Love of Food and Country.”

Mr. Villarcabral will guide participants in making a six-course meal, featuring Red Adobo Pate, Pan de Sal Antiguo (crusty, like your ancestors had it), Oysters Kinilaw, Pollo con Chocolate, “Rose Beef” Mechado, and Tibuk-tibok (a traditional carabao milk pudding).

Aprons and recipe booklets will be included for a fee of P5,000 per person. The cooking class will be held on Feb. 8, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Karrivin Studios, 2316 Chino Roces Ave., Makati. For inquiries, message Guava Sketches on Facebook and Instagram at Guava Sketches and @GuavaSketches, respectively.

Monica Ang-Mercado appointed CFO of SMFB

February 6, 2025 | 12:03 am

SAN MIGUEL Food and Beverage, Inc. (SMFB) has named Monica L. Ang-Mercado as its new chief finance officer (CFO), effective Wednesday.

Ms. Ang-Mercado is the daughter of tycoon Ramon S. Ang, chairman of SMFB’s parent company, San Miguel Corp. (SMC).

She succeeds Ildefonso B. Alindogan as part of “SMC’s management reorganization,” the listed food and beverage company said in a regulatory filing on Wednesday.

SMFB also appointed Emmanuel B. Macalalag as the chief operating officer of the company’s food division, replacing Francisco S. Alejo III.

Mr. Alejo will remain one of SMFB’s directors, alongside Ms. Ang-Mercado and Mr. Alindogan.

SMFB has three business groups: beer and non-alcoholic beverages, spirits, and food. Some of its subsidiaries include San Miguel Brewery, Inc., San Miguel Foods, Inc., and Ginebra San Miguel, Inc.

On Wednesday, SMFB shares fell by 0.19%, or ten centavos, to P51.20 per share, while SMC stocks rose by 6.67%, or P5, to P80 per share. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Defending Philippine mobile banking apps against Trojan attacks

February 6, 2025 | 12:03 am

By Jan Sysmans

MOBILE BANKING is revolutionizing financial services in the Philippines, offering unmatched convenience and accessibility to millions of users. According to Statista, the banking market in the Philippines is projected to have reached a net interest income of $8.18 billion in 2024 amid a surge in digital banking services.

However, this rapid digital adoption brings significant risks as cybercriminals deploy increasingly sophisticated tactics to exploit vulnerabilities in mobile banking applications. The most dangerous among them are Trojans — malicious programs specifically designed to infiltrate devices, steal sensitive data, and commit fraud.

According to the National Privacy Commission, there were a total of 6.8 billion security incidents in the Philippines from 2018 to 2024, with Trojans cited as a one of the causes of data breaches.

Banking Trojans like Blankbot, Godfather, ToxicPanda, GoldPickAxe, and Sharkbot have emerged as powerful tools in the cyber criminal arsenal. This type of malware employs advanced tactics, such as overlay attacks, keylogging, and remote desktop exploits, to deceive users and compromise app security.

For instance, overlay attacks trick users into entering their credentials on fake interfaces that mimic legitimate banking apps, while keylogging records keystrokes to capture passwords and PINs. Trojans also exploit accessibility services to monitor screen activity and perform unauthorized actions, further escalating the threat.

The impact of banking Trojans can be profound in the Philippines, where mobile banking adoption is high. A 2023 report by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on the status of digital payments in the Philippines found that the share of digital payment transactions to total monthly retail payments grew to more than 50% in 2023 from 42.1% in 2022. For consumers, the risks include drained accounts, identity theft, and loss of personal data. For banks, these attacks lead to fraud, reputational damage, and regulatory penalties.

The growing risk of banking fraud has even spurred the Philippine government to launch the Financial Services Cyber Resilience Plan, a framework to enhance cyber resilience in the sector by creating and promoting holistic cybersecurity best practices and standards, building a strong cybersecurity culture, and implementing incident response protocols.

A concerning trend in cybersecurity is the growing collaboration between banking Trojans and on-device fraud (ODF). Unlike traditional fraud tactics that rely on external systems, ODF uses compromised devices to execute fraudulent transactions directly. By bypassing traditional security measures, this partnership between Trojans and ODF creates an almost impenetrable threat, leaving software development kit-based and legacy mobile app security solutions ineffective.

COMPREHENSIVE DEFENSE
In order to effectively protect against banking trojans, banks and fintechs in the Philippines need to take a very different approach to mobile app defense. They need to leverage artificial intelligence- and machine learning-powered defense automation to protect their mobile banking apps against ever more sophisticated threats.

Key minimum protections required to offer a comprehensive defense against banking trojans include:

• RASP (runtime application self-protection) — ensures app operations remain tamper-proof, preventing Trojans from executing malicious actions during runtime;

• code obfuscation — shields app code from reverse engineering, protecting sensitive app logic from attackers;

• root detection — blocks apps from running on rooted or jailbroken devices, where security vulnerabilities are heightened;

• man-in-the-middle attack prevention — encrypts data in transit, safeguarding sensitive user information from interception;

• keylogging prevention — protects user inputs, such as credentials and PINs, from being captured by malicious programs;

• blocking overlay attacks — detects and prevents fake/malicious screen overlays from displaying on top of the app screen and concealing the legitimate app screen, which is used to trick users into revealing sensitive information or performing harmful actions inadvertently;

• blocking accessibility services malware — prevents unauthorized use of accessibility services, closing a critical attack vector for Trojans;

• preventing remote desktop exploits — secures apps against unauthorized remote access and manipulation;

• Google Play Store signature validation — ensures only authentic app versions can run, mitigating the risk of Trojan-laden impostor apps; and

• SMS, two-factor authentication, and one-time pin interception prevention — secures in-app communications and protects against the interception of authentication mechanisms.

Traditional defenses are rendered ineffective against the dynamic nature of modern banking Trojans. The Philippine banking sector needs to build a future-proof security model capable of addressing both existing and emerging threats to ensure comprehensive protection for both users and financial institutes in this ever-evolving threat landscape.

To do this, they need an advanced security platform such as Appdome that provides benefits across the board. For consumers, this means ensuring safe and fraud-free banking experiences by protecting their sensitive data and funds. For banks and fintechs, such a platform prevents account takeovers, unauthorized transactions, and large-scale fraud attempts, ultimately preserving customer trust and reducing operational risks.

As the Philippines’ mobile banking and fintech sector continues to expand, the sophistication of Trojans like Blankbot, ToxicPanda, and Godfather serves as a stark reminder of the evolving cyber threat landscape. Financial institutions need to stay ahead of these challenges, delivering the robust security needed to protect customers and their businesses.

Jan Sysmans is a mobile app security evangelist of Appdome.

On PhilHealth’s excess funds again, and Open Government Partnership

February 6, 2025 | 12:02 am

Last Tuesday, Feb. 4, the Counsel of Government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs), Solomon M. Hermosura, went to the Supreme Court to defend the transfer by the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) of excess funds to the National Treasury — saying that it was lawful and that it does not impair the constitutional right to health, and thus petitions against it should be dismissed by the Court.

It is lawful, he said, because it complies with the Department of Finance (DoF) Circular 003-2024. It affirms the Filipinos’ right to health because in 2024, PhilHealth increased the all-case rates package by at least 95%, and enhanced outpatient packages for chronic conditions with greater coverage for critical and life-saving treatments.

Despite remitting P60 billion in excess funds last year, Mr. Hermosura pointed that PhilHealth’s operating budget for 2025 has been increased to P284 billion — P25 billion more than its 2024 budget, and P118 billion more than its 2022 budget of P166 billion.

Good arguments, Mr. Hermosura. And a good initiative, Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto. I have argued before and I will argue again that between health parochialism (and education or social work parochialism, etc.) and fiscal realism, the latter should prevail.

Health and social welfare spending by both national and local governments jumped a great deal from 2020-2024, even if the virus scare has simmered starting February 2022 when the election campaign period started.

The budget deficit averaged P1.54 trillion/year in 2020-2023, from only P0.52 trillion/year in 2017-2019. Financing or borrowings averaged P2.20 trillion/year in 2020-2023, from only P0.81 trillion/year in 2017-2019.

But in 2024, some fiscal “mini-miracles” happened.

One, non-tax revenues jumped from an average of P333 billion/year in 2020 to 2023, to P555.3 billion from January-November 2024 alone. This was mainly because Mr. Recto increased the mandatory remittances of GOCCs from 50% to 75%.

Two, financing or borrowing decreased from P2.2 trillion/year in the last four years to only P1.24 trillion in January-November 2024. This was mainly because the DoF avoided new borrowings to finance certain expenditures by tapping the excess funds of PhilHealth and the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. or PDIC.

Again, I support the DoF and the rest of economic team, and the GOCCs Counsel for arguing the legal and fiscal rationality of transferring the excess funds of PhilHealth and PDIC to the National Government.

Government should cut not only borrowings but also expenditures. Many subsidies must be cut and discontinued, people should go back being self-reliant and not dependent on the state for their household needs. In exchange, the state should cut income tax and other taxes to allow the people to keep more of their money and savings for themselves and their households.

OGP MEETING
The Open Government Partnership (OGP) Asia and Pacific Regional Meeting Philippines 2025 kicked off this week, Feb. 3 to 7, with events mostly held at UP Bonifacio Global City (BGC) and the Grand Hyatt Manila in BGC. Among the many topics discussed were transparency in public procurement, digital governance, anti-corruption and public integrity.

I attended the panel on “Leveraging strategic collaborations to address corruption” yesterday, Feb. 5, at the Grand Hyatt. It was sponsored by Stratbase and Democracy Watch and the keynote speaker was Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman.

Corruption is a perennial issue in practically all governments around the world, from multilateral agencies to national down to local governments. I checked Transparency International’s corruption index, and limited my comparison to four ASEAN countries. I then compared their index scores with their employment data to test the hypothesis that “high corruption is equal to low job creation and high unemployment.”

The Philippines has been declining on the corruption perception index over the last 10 years, and its unemployment rate was also declining (except during 2020-2021 lockdown dictatorship). Indonesia exhibits the same pattern.

Malaysia has had wild fluctuation in the corruption index while its unemployment rate has been falling back to pre-lockdown levels. Vietnam has a weird situation: it is rising on the corruption index yet has declining unemployment (see the accompanying chart).

So, open government is good and should ultimately lead to more transparency and less corruption. But it will take time because the corrupt personnel and officials will always find ways to cover up their acts.

To effectively cut down on corruption, we should move towards cutting down the size of government, and cutting the government’s spending, bureaucracies, and subsidies. And we should cut the taxes and borrowings needed to sustain big government.

In December 2023, Argentina’s President Javier Milei’s first month in office, he cut the number of government ministries or departments from 19 to nine and quickly achieved a budget surplus after two months, and slowly stabilized prices. There was no civil war as predicted by the anti-deregulation lobbyists and activists.

US President Donald Trump and Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) czar Elon Musk are also doing a similar quick and big cuts in federal agencies, bureaucracies, and expenditures. Milei’s pace of deregulation and his results have inspired Trump and Musk to do their own deregulation and spending cuts, borrowing cuts, and, very soon, another tax cut.

Bienvenido S. Oplas, Jr. is the president of Bienvenido S. Oplas, Jr. Research Consultancy Services, and Minimal Government Thinkers. He is an international fellow of the Tholos Foundation.

minimalgovernment@gmail.com

EU lays out guidelines on misuse of AI by employers, websites and police

February 6, 2025 | 12:02 am

BRUSSELS — Employers will be banned from using artificial intelligence (AI) to track their staff’s emotions and websites will not be allowed to use it to trick users into spending money under European Union (EU) AI guidelines announced on Tuesday.

The guidelines from the European Commission come as companies grapple with the complexity and cost of complying with the world’s first legislation on the use of the technology.

The Artificial Intelligence Act, binding since last year, will be fully applicable on Aug. 2, 2026, with certain provisions kicking in earlier, such as the ban on certain practices from Feb. 2 this year.

“The ambition is to provide legal certainty for those who provide or deploy the artificial intelligence systems on the European market, also for the market surveillance authorities. The guidelines are not legally binding,” a Commission official told reporters.

Prohibited practices include AI-enabled dark patterns embedded in services designed to manipulate users into making substantial financial commitments, and AI-enabled applications which exploit users based on their age, disability or socioeconomic situation.

AI-enabled social scoring using unrelated personal data such as origin and race by social welfare agencies and other public and private bodies is banned, while police are not allowed to predict individuals’ criminal behavior solely based on their biometric data if this has not been verified.

Employers cannot use webcams and voice recognition systems to track employees’ emotions, while mobile CCTV cameras equipped with AI-based facial recognition technologies for law enforcement purposes are prohibited, with limited exceptions and stringent safeguards.

EU countries have until Aug. 2 to designate market surveillance authorities to enforce the AI rules. AI breaches can cost companies fines ranging from 1.5% to 7% of their total global revenue.

The EU AI Act is more comprehensive than the United States’ light-touch voluntary compliance approach while China’s approach aims to maintain social stability and state control. — Reuters

Author Neil Gaiman and estranged wife sued for sexual assault

February 6, 2025 | 12:02 am

WILMINGTON, Delaware — The best-selling author Neil Gaiman and his estranged wife were sued by a New Zealand woman who is seeking millions of dollars for alleged sexual abuse and human trafficking while she worked for them as a nanny and babysitter, according to three lawsuits filed on Monday.

Scarlett Pavlovich said Mr. Gaiman, author of The Sandman comic book series and the novel American Gods, repeatedly raped her while she worked for him and Amanda Palmer in 2022, causing physical, mental, and emotional harm.

Ms. Palmer was accused of knowing that Ms. Pavlovich was vulnerable, and failing to warn that Mr. Gaiman had a history of predatory behavior, according to court papers.

The couple were named as defendants in Ms. Pavlovich’s lawsuit filed in the federal court in Madison, Wisconsin. Ms. Palmer is the sole defendant in Ms. Pavlovich’s federal lawsuits filed in Manhattan and Boston.

Mr. Gaiman owns a property in Wisconsin and Ms. Palmer is a resident of either New York or Massachusetts, according to the lawsuits.

Mr. Gaiman denied allegations of inappropriate sexual relations in a January blog post, following media reports on the allegations.

“I have never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity with anyone. Ever,” he wrote. Mr. Gaiman has not been criminally charged.

Ms. Palmer’s representative did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Tuesday.

The lawsuits seek unspecified damages that are “reasonably believed” to exceed $1 million on multiple claims.

According to court papers, Ms. Palmer met Ms. Pavlovich in Auckland, New Zealand in 2020, when Ms. Pavlovich was 22 and homeless, and was aware Ms. Pavlovich suffered from mental health problems.

Then in 2022, when Ms. Palmer and Mr. Gaiman were living separately on Waiheke Island near Auckland, Ms. Palmer allegedly asked Ms. Pavlovich to begin babysitting the couple’s child.

Desperate for money and housing, Ms. Pavlovich agreed, but soon Mr. Gaiman began sexually abusing her, including by raping her, choking her, and assaulting her in the presence of his child, according to court papers.

The abuse allegedly lasted several weeks, until Mr. Gaiman and his child left for Europe.

Ms. Pavlovich said Ms. Palmer told her that more than a dozen women, including several former employees, had complained to her about abusive sexual encounters with Mr. Gaiman.

According to court papers, Ms. Pavlovich filed a police report accusing Mr. Gaiman of sexual assault, but the police did nothing because Ms. Palmer refused to talk with them.

Misconduct allegations against Mr. Gaiman began to surface publicly in 2024, and Dark Horse Comics said last month it would no longer publish his works.

Mr. Gaiman’s comic books and novels include Coraline, The Graveyard Book, Good Omens, and How to Talk to Girls at Parties. — Reuters

Construction begins for New Cebu Int’l Container Port

February 6, 2025 | 12:02 am

THE DEPARTMENT of Transportation (DoTr) announced on Wednesday the start of construction for the P16.93-billion New Cebu International Container Port, which is expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2028.

“This redistribution will pave the way for a seamless flow of goods and services, ensuring our economy remains robust and dynamic,” said Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista in a statement.

The New Cebu International Container Port is expected to create space for vessels and cargo, leading to faster turnaround times for commercial ships, the DoTr added.

“The benefits of this project extend far beyond its physical structure. It is expected to generate a wide array of advantages for users, the local community, and the public sector,” the DoTr said.

This port project is one of the department’s major initiatives and is targeted for completion by 2028.

The cargo port is being developed under an official development assistance scheme from the Export-Import Bank of Korea with transaction advisory services from the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank.

It marks the first public-private partnership (PPP) project of the DoTr in the maritime sector. Last year, the civil works contract was awarded to HJ Shipbuilding Construction Co., Ltd.

Located in Tayud, Consolacion, Cebu, the port will have a capacity of 2,500 twenty-foot equivalent units and will be equipped with four quay cranes.

In 2018, the Department of Finance signed a $172.64-million loan agreement with the Export-Import Bank of Korea for the project.

The port will feature a 500-meter berth and a water depth of negative 12 meters, as well as a 1,365-meter access road connecting the new port to the 300-meter offshore bridge. — Ashley Erika O. Jose