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Enhancing payroll management with AI

IN BRIEF:

• AI-driven payroll solutions streamline complex international payroll operations, reducing errors and enhancing efficiency.

• Automating payroll processes with AI improves accuracy, compliance, and employee satisfaction.

• AI-powered chatbots provide quick, accurate responses to payroll inquiries, simplifying workloads and enhancing the employee experience.

Managing payroll for a global workforce presents a myriad of challenges due to constantly evolving political, legal, social, and economic factors. These changes impact regulatory requirements and reporting, making it difficult to navigate diverse labor laws, tax regulations, data privacy standards, and payment procedures.

Consequently, the dynamic conditions increase employee inquiries, complicating payroll management. Companies need efficient, accurate, and cost-effective methods to address these inquiries, enhancing employee satisfaction and trust.

CHALLENGES OF GLOBAL PAYROLL MANAGEMENT
Payroll errors and delayed responses can lead to fines, damage organizational reputation, and frustrate employees, affecting costs and related functions like recruitment and retention. While preventing errors is crucial, traditional methods for handling these challenges are often costly and ineffective.

Businesses are ready for an innovation — a solution that offers something greater than the sum of its parts. Finding a time-efficient, cost-effective, innovative, and globally adaptable solution that can grow with the organization demands taking stock of the entire system and adding something more: an ecosystem approach.

HOW AI CAN HELP
Artificial intelligence (AI) presents a significant opportunity to transform payroll functions and enhance efficiency. By automating data collection and analysis, AI can identify trends and anomalies, providing real-time insights into payroll performance.

This technology can help monitor payroll metrics, track progress against targets, and identify areas where additional investment or action is needed. By leveraging AI, companies can improve the accuracy and reliability of their payroll processes while freeing up time and resources for more strategic activities.

CASE STUDY: AI-DRIVEN PAYROLL SOLUTIONS
Many organizations face the challenge of managing complex international payroll operations. One company needed a quick and accurate communication platform with their employees that would answer country- and employee-specific payroll questions within a broader global payroll operations environment.

Weighing the desired outcomes and challenges, the company implemented an AI-driven payroll chatbot. This chatbot addressed employee payroll questions efficiently and accurately, providing accessible answers to employee questions easily and quickly. The cloud-enabled development of a large language model helped create a payroll chatbot capable of answering complex employee questions.

The chatbot solved the company’s payroll needs in a way that was efficient for them as the employer, but it was also incredibly effective and beneficial for their employees. After the initial launch of a pilot version, the company scaled it to an enterprise-ready payroll chatbot that answered complex payroll questions by using an underlying large language model and vast compliance data. This solution helped reduce the burden on the employer while personalizing the employee experience.

In very real terms, there were improvements across the board in providing accurate answers to queries, employee satisfaction, and first call resolution. There was also an overwhelming decrease in cost to serve. This is just one example of how AI can help accelerate and improve payroll management while simplifying the workload.

AN INTEGRATED GLOBAL PAYROLL SOLUTION
Taking control and driving efficiency with an integrated global payroll solution involves transforming global payrolls through a unified managed services approach, integrating domestic, mobile, and global payroll services. A centralized, modular platform handles the complexities of an international workforce, connecting legal, advisory, and compliance knowledge for an integrated payroll experience.

In today’s fast-paced world, where talent is the key resource, managing the payroll of an increasingly international workforce has become complex and time-consuming. The rapid pace of regulatory compliance, labor and privacy law changes, managing the life experience of employees, and the scarcity of payroll talent are just a few of the hurdles that organizations face. Traditional payroll models struggle to keep up with modern business demands and new ways of working. The risks of noncompliance, data privacy issues, and the high costs and inefficiency of managing multiple vendors are significant challenges.

Taking initiative involves governance, oversight, and control. It means having single-process ownership across employee entitlement, compliance requirements, and pay distribution. This approach provides a unified view of data, reduces duplication, ensures consistent decisions and reporting, and offers a holistic view of talent and compliance, enabling organizations to plan.

Driving efficiency requires providing direct access to all subject-matter-experts and enabling effective risk management across the entire employee population. It helps reduce cost and labor leakage that occurs with disparate vendors, duplication of effort, gaps in essential knowledge and process, and inadequate business controls.

Additionally, it improves in-house technology and data assets. Planning enhances the employee experience through advanced technology, streamlined processes, and easy access to on-the-ground knowledge. It also reduces the cost of developing and modifying technology.

THE FUTURE OF PAYROLL
A next-generation payroll managed service approach combines global reach and deep capabilities, consistent multiservice integration, and direct access to teams across the globe. Across payroll, labor and employment law, and mobility, teams can work together collaboratively to meet workforce compliance needs wherever they are. Global processes, technology, and data models are smoothly integrated, providing a single, cohesive, high-quality service.

Access to core service delivery without subcontracting to third parties helps ensure effective communication and improved performance. Being part of an ecosystem facilitates the provision of comprehensive solutions beyond payroll, leveraging deep knowledge to address unique challenges.

Organizations can address global payroll operational and service challenges by leveraging AI technology to create innovative solutions, such as a payroll chatbot. The proper use of AI can help simplify employer workload, answer complex payroll employee queries, provide regulatory compliance information, and enhance employee experience, leading to increased operational efficiency.

This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional advice where the facts and circumstances warrant. The views and opinions expressed above are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of SGV & Co.

 

Aaron C. Escartin is a tax partner and Philippine Payroll Operate leader of SGV & Co.

Line-item vetoes won’t cure 2025 budget errors, ex-gov’t officials say

A construction worker is seen working on a new project in Taguig City. — REUTERS

By Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza, Reporter

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. may need to return the budget bill to Congress as line-item vetoes would not be enough to cure errors committed by a bicameral conference committee, according to a group of former government officials and governance experts.

Mr. Marcos is set to sign the proposed P6.352-trillion national budget for 2025 on Monday, after canceling its initial Dec. 20 schedule amid legal questions and huge funding cuts for social services.

“We are concerned that line-item vetoes will not be enough to rectify the problematic priorities embedded in next year’s budget,” the Transformation, and Excellence in Governance (INCITEGov) said in a letter addressed to Mr. Marcos, dated Dec. 28.

The budget crafting process might have violated constitutional principles of checks and balances, the group said, and it did not help that the bicameral conference committee’s budget insertions and allocations “were made with limited scrutiny.”

Bicameral members bypassed a “thorough review essential for such significant legislation.”

Malacañang last week said the President is expected to veto some items in the budget bill amid backlash triggered by cuts in the budgets for social services including education and the removal of state subsidy for the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).

Mr. Marcos earlier vowed to restore the Department of Education’s (DepEd) proposed budget, particularly the P10-billion funding for its computerization program for 2025 but justified the defunding of PhilHealth despite concerns over its fiscal health, citing its reserves.

INCITEGov urged Mr. Marcos to thoroughly examine unprogrammed appropriations and reconsider alleged pork barrel items in the proposed budget.

It said several key infrastructure projects, including those listed in Build Better More, are inexplicably found in the unprogrammed appropriations, which could lead to “to potential delays and inefficiencies” in project implementation.

All the while, substantial allocations for several infrastructure items especially in the Department of Public Workers and Highways (DPWH) that are “unmistakably pork barrel in nature” have been prioritized, it added.

University of the Philippines Los Baños economics professor Enrico P. Villanueva earlier said the massive budget increase for DPWH is highly questionable as only 11, or 6% of the 186 flagship infrastructure projects of the government are expected to be ongoing by 2025

“With 186 projects costing P9.6 T(rillion) over several years, the extraordinary allotment for infra is questionable,” he said, noting that DPWH’s allocation in the Congress-approved budget rose by P288 billion to P1.1-trillion funding.

Only 51 of the flagship projects are to be funded by the General Appropriations Act. Eighty-six will be funded by official development assistance, while 43 of them are under the private-public partnership scheme, he noted.

The statement is signed by former top government officials, including former Budget Secretary Florencio B. Abad, former Education Secretary Edilberto C. De Jesus, former Commission on Higher Education Chairperson Patricia B. Licuanan, and former National Anti– Poverty Commission Director Philip Arnold Tuaño.

INCITEGov urged the President and legislators to restore funds removed from essential sectors such as health, education, agriculture, social protection, transportation, and climate change adaptability.

“These services are crucial for the welfare of the most vulnerable citizens and the nation’s well-being.”

The budget of DepEd dropped by P11.56 billion to P737 billion, while that of the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of Health declined by P95 billion to P217.3-billion funding and by P25.7 billion to P247 billion, respectively.

Meanwhile, the Action for Economic Reforms (AER) in a separate letter to the President put focus on how the Executive branch can cure the “unconstitutional” zero allocation for PhilHealth.

Mr. Marcos should veto line appropriations not in accordance with law and the government’s fiscal program, including infrastructure projects not properly vetted by the DPWH and those that are not yet ready to be implemented, AER said.

“This will free up fiscal space, which can prompt Congress to pass a supplemental budget as provided under Article VI, Section 25(3) of the Constitution,” it said.

SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET
Passing a supplemental budget, which can be tackled as soon as Congress reconvenes in January, can also cure the cuts in the funding for basic social services such as education, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), agriculture, transportation, and calamity fund.

The Congress-approved budget violated the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act and the Sin Tax Reform Laws, AER said, as it cited a jurisprudence stating that an appropriations law cannot amend a statute.

According to Section 11 of the UHC Act of 2019, the total amount of PhilHealth reserves “shall not exceed a ceiling equivalent to the amount actuarially estimated for two years’ projected program expenditure.

If actual reserves exceed the required ceiling at the end of the fiscal year, the excess “shall be used to increase the program’s benefits and to decrease the amount of members’ contributions,” it added.

The Sin Tax law mandates the government to allocate 80% of revenues from tobacco products and sugar-sweetened beverages for PhilHealth to fund the UHC program.

“We respectfully submit that this is unconstitutional, as existing jurisprudence states that the appropriations law cannot amend a statute,” AER told the President.

“In this instance, it will be amending at least three statutes above, which cannot be done indirectly through the budget.”

The group also cited the United Nations International Covenant on Social, Economic and Cultural Rights, of which the Philippines is a signatory, which says that it’s also the State’s obligation to provide for the premiums of the indigents.

The covenant states that the State should use the maximum of its available resources for the realization of the right to health.

AER said Section 15, Article XII, of the 1987 Constitution calls for an “integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services available to all the people at affordable cost.”

“We would also like to emphasize that it is a matter of fairness, Mr. President, that the government’s share in PhilHealth’s premiums for all indirect contributors be appropriated to PhilHealth as mandated by law,” the group said.

“The government should not leave the burden of funding PhilHealth to direct contributors (the workers and self-paying members) and the employers that shoulder part of their workers’ premiums,” it added.

AER said the President’s exercise of his line veto power and the supplemental budget option will not delay the approval of the 2025 budget nor risk a reenacted budget.

“It will also return the initiative to Congress, which in the first place created the issues that the President is now confronting.”

PHL missile system acquisition unlikely to fuel arms race — analysts

PHILIPPINE STAR/WALTER BOLLOZOS

By John Victor D. Ordoñez, Reporter

THE PHILIPPINE military’s plan to acquire the United States; mid-range Typhon missile system will not fuel an arms race in the region despite China’s opposition and calls for the Southeast Asian nation to return to “peaceful development,” security analysts said at the weekend.

“The Typhon missile system would add a key deterrent to the Philippines’ military arsenal by giving it the capability to target China’s southern bases at risk,”  Raymond M. Powell, a fellow at Stanford University’s Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation, said in an X message.

“Beijing’s reaction to the mere prospects of this acquisition indicate how seriously it takes it. China’s imperialist ambitions depend on its neighbors remaining weak and vulnerable to its coercion.”

The Chinese Foreign Ministry last week urged the Philippines to return to “peaceful development” after the country’s decision to deploy the missile system, which Washington first flew to Manila in April in what it called a “historic first.”

China and Russia have criticized the move to keep the system in the Philippines after the military drills, saying it could fuel an arms race in the region.

“By cooperating with the United States in the introduction of Typhon, the Philippine side has surrendered its own security and national defense to others and introduced the risk of geopolitical confrontation and an arms race in the region, posing a substantial threat to regional peace and security,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning earlier in a news briefing in Beijing.

Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Gerardo C. Teodoro, Jr. earlier said Manila will not be a “doorstep” and that acquiring the missile system was within the country’s “prerogative” to enhance its defense capabilities.

The missile system is a land-based, ground-launched system that “enhances multi-domain fires” that can fire the Standard Missile 6 (SM-6) and the Tomahawk Land Attack Missile, according to the US Army Pacific. It also has a battery operations center, four launchers, prime movers, and modified trailers.

The “proposed acquisition of Typhon missiles can strengthen the alliance with the US and enhance defense partnership with likeminded states like Japan, South Korea, and Australia,” Rommel C. Banlaoi, president of the Philippine Society for International Security Studies said in a Viber message. 

China and the Philippines have been at loggerheads over confrontations near disputed features in the South China Sea, with Manila accusing China’s coast guard of aggression and Beijing furious over what it calls repeated provocations and territorial incursions.

Just this Sunday, Reuters reported that Chinese naval and air forces conducted combat readiness patrols near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, according to a People’s Liberation Army (PLA) statement.

The patrols were to “further strengthen the control of relevant sea and airspace, resolutely defend national sovereignty and security” in the South China Sea, the PLA Southern Theater Command said in a social media announcement.

The United Nations-backed Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague in 2016 voided China’s claim over the waterway for being illegal. Beijing has ignored the ruling.

Beijing has no jurisdiction over Scarborough Shoal, based on the ruling and Article 121 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea which classified it as a rock.

“What the Philippines is doing is in line with the mandate of the government, which is to maximize all efforts to defend Philippine sovereignty and sovereign rights based on international law,” Don McLain Gill, who teaches foreign relations at De La Salle University, said in a Facebook Messenger chat.

Chester B. Cabalza, founding president of Manila-based International Development and Security Cooperation, also said in a Facebook Messenger chat that the acquisition of the missile system falls within the military and sovereign right of the Philippines “aimed at strengthening its national defense and security.” — with Reuters

13 Filipina surrogates in Cambodia return home

THIRTEEN Filipinas who were involved in child surrogacy in Cambodia have returned to the Philippines and have been taken into the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

“Upon the request of the Philippine Embassy and with the endorsement of the Royal Government of Cambodia, the Royal Decree pardoning all 13 Filipinos paved the way for their release and immediate repatriation,” the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement on Sunday. 

“All 13 departed Phnom Penh and arrived safely in Manila following the grant of Royal Pardon by His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni on 26 December 2024.”

The 13 surrogate mothers with three babies, accompanied by a Cambodian doctor and a Filipino nurse, arrived in the Philippines on Sunday via Philippine Airlines, the DSWD noted in a separate statement. 

The DFA said the Philippine Embassy in Cambodia and Manila’s Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking handled the repatriation process for the 13 convicted Filipino women, who had been offered $10,000 to be surrogates.    

Under Cambodian law, individuals who are caught being surrogates may face up to 20 years of imprisonment. A Cambodian court on Dec. 2 convicted the 13 Filipinos on Dec. 2 for violating the law on the suppression of human trafficking. 

The department attributed the successful repatriation of the Filipino women to the commitment between both countries to combat human trafficking and other transnational crimes. 

“Their safe homecoming is a testament to the longstanding friendly relations between the Philippines and Cambodia and the firm commitment of both governments to combat human trafficking and other transnational crimes,” the department said.

Meanwhile, the DSWD said it treats the Filipinas as victims of human trafficking, noting that there is no law prohibiting or allowing surrogacy in the Philippines, “providing a legal gray area prone to abuse.”

The government treats the women, who were convicted by a local court in Cambodia, “as victims of trafficking,” Social Welfare Secretary Rexlon T. Gatchalian said in a statement.

He added that “all forms of assistance should be given to them.”

A center and residential care facility (CRCF) in Metro Manila was already being prepared as a temporary shelter for the 13 mothers and three babies, Elaine Fallarcuna, assistant secretary for International Affairs, said.

“While the surrogate mothers are in temporary shelter, the DSWD will help them communicate with their families for their reintegration,” she said.

The respective families of the surrogate mothers will also be assessed for the provision of the necessary services and intervention.”

The DSWD said transportation assistance back to their respective cities and provinces will also be provided.

“Other needed intervention such as counseling services will be provided during assessment by the assigned social worker in the CRCF,” it added. — John Victor D. Ordoñez and Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

DA warned vs food emergency

REUTERS

THE DEPARTMENT of Agriculture’s (DA) proposal to declare a “food security emergency” risks being leveraged to increase rice imports, warned a former lawmaker, fearing such a move could undermine local farmers and destabilize the agriculture sector.

Former Bayan Muna Rep. Ferdinand R. Gaite said in a statement on Sunday that the proposed measure, rooted in the framework of the Rice Liberalization Law, could expedite rice importation.

He highlighted this as a potential short-term fix that sidesteps addressing deeper issues, including smuggling, hoarding, and flawed agricultural policies.

“President [Ferdinand R.] Marcos, Jr.’s empty promise of P20 per kilo rice has only led to a series of band-aid solutions that worsened food inflation. Now they want to declare an emergency that could open the floodgates to more imports. Where did the promise of food security and self-sufficiency go?” he added in mixed English and Filipino.

Bayan Muna, alongside farmer advocacy groups such as the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, is pushing for solutions focused on repealing liberalization policies, reinstating the National Food Authority’s buying mandate and increasing production subsidies.

They are also calling for stronger regulatory action against rice cartels and comprehensive support for farmers facing environmental and man-made challenges.

“Emergency powers to import are not the solution. The solution is to strengthen local agriculture and protect our farmers.” — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Probe of fake online posts pushed

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

LEADERS of the House of Representatives called for a congressional inquiry into the widespread posting of false and harmful content on social media platforms, emphasizing the need to safeguard digital safety while upholding freedom of speech.

In a resolution filed by seven congressmen on Dec. 18, they raised alarm on the proliferation of misleading and harmful content on social media platforms.

“False and malicious content has also been exploited by unscrupulous individuals to promote scams, cyberbullying and other activities that negatively impact public safety and order,” the lawmakers said in a joint statement on Sunday.

The proposed probe aims to uphold freedom of speech, ensuring all measures align with constitutional protections and avoiding undue censorship.

It also aims to address legislative gaps by reviewing existing laws, including the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 (Republic Act No. 10175), to recommend changes tackling challenges posed by emerging technologies. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

NHA partners with Bayad Center

THE National Housing Authority (NHA) has teamed up with Bayad Center, Inc. to allow beneficiaries to settle their housing amortizations in 7-Eleven branches across the country.

Through the partnership, the agency said in a statement that NHA beneficiaries may settle their financial obligations faster and fully own their awarded homes.

“This initiative strengthens the payment network of the NHA, paving easier means for beneficiaries to fulfill their financial obligations without the need to visit the district or regional office,” it said.

This forms part of NHA’s digitalization initiatives to streamline its processes.

“Under the guidance of General Manager Joeben A. Tai, NHA has been making strides to introduce payment digitalization as part of its strategy to modernize and streamline processes,” it said.

The agency said this aligns with the Republic Act (RA) 8792, the Electronic Commerce Act, as well as RA 11032, the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act.

Last year, NHA also launched its payment option with digital bank application Maya. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

NNIC probes reported baggage porters

A passenger wears a mask as she arrives at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City. — REUTERS

SAN MIGUEL-led New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) is investigating the alleged unfair treatment of baggage porters at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the private operator of the country’s main gateway said.

“As the airport operator, we have a responsibility to maintain standards and ensure that all service providers treat their employees fairly, respect their rights, and comply with labor laws,” NNIC said in a statement on Sunday.

The porters are employed by a third-party service provider, NNIC said, adding that they are not directly employed by the NNIC.

According to the NNIC, the service provider’s contract was last renewed by the Manila International Airport Authority in 2022 and will remain effective for the next three years or until 2025.

“As NAIA’s operator, we want to build a workplace that reflects our vision of a modern, efficient airport, where personnel and travelers alike can benefit from an atmosphere of fairness, respect, professionalism and accountability,” NNIC said.

It said that aside from the planned modernization efforts for NAIA, it also prioritizes improving work conditions for workers under its direct employment through better compensation and implementing just workplace policies. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

Customs, Maya renew partnership to enhance e-payment systems

MAYABANK.PH

THE BUREAU of Customs (BoC) and digital bank Maya Bank, Inc. have recently inked an agreement to enhance electronic payment systems for the Bureau’s operations.

In a statement over the weekend, Customs said the memorandum of agreement (MoA), signed on Dec.19, “outlines the integration of Maya’s payment gateway platform into the BoC’s operations.”

“This will enable stakeholders to pay miscellaneous fees and charges through various innovative channels, including online checkout, bills payment, PayMaya One POS [point of sale] terminals, and Smart Padala centers,” the BoC said.

Customs also added that the MoA extends to the collection of duties and taxes for goods processed under informal entry procedures via the Bureau’s ePayment Portal System.

Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio said he is “looking forward to the” partnership with the Bureau of Treasury, the Development Bank of the Philippines, and Maya. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

Fireworks-related injuries in Cordillera climb to 10

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

BAGUIO CITY – Two more cases of Firework-Related Injuries (FWRI) were reported in the Cordillera Region as of Saturday, bringing the total to 10 since government health authorities began tracking these cases on December 21.

The new cases are from Abra and Apayao, while Baguio City remained to have recorded the highest number of cases with four, while Kalinga and Mountain Province have two cases each. Abra and Apayao have one case each.

Victims were between 4 to 17, and most were males (9).

Four cases of sustained eye injuries, five cases had blast/burn injuries without amputation, and one case of blast/burn injury with amputation. — Artemio A. Dumlao

Title-chasing Philippines XI go for Game 2 win in Thailand

Match on Monday
(Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok)
8 p.m. (9 p.m. Manila time) — Thailand vs Philippines
(Semifinal Leg 2)

AFTER breaking a 52-year winless streak against Thailand, is a breakthrough finals stint in Southeast Asia’s centerpiece football tournament up next for fearless Philippines?

That’s certainly the agenda as the Filipinos go for the kill shot and try to complete the upset for the ages against seven-time winners Thailand in Leg 2 of the Asean Mitsubishi Electric Cup semifinals on Monday.

But unlike in their monumental 2-1 upset in Friday’s opening leg in front of friendly faces in Manila, the Pinoy booters will have to get it done in hostile territory in Bangkok, where the wounded three-peat-seeking War Elephants and their 50,000-plus rabid supporters lie in wait at Rajamangala Stadium.

“We need to be mentally tough throughout the whole 90 minutes,” said Philippine team manager Freddy Gonzalez ahead of their gargantuan task at 9 p.m. (Manila time).

Thanks to the famous result in Leg 1, the Filipinos go into the return leg with a one-goal edge. And all they need is a draw in the Thai capital to win the two-legged semis on goal aggregate and advance to the Jan. 2 and 5 Last Dance against either Vietnam or Singapore.

Another victory, of course, will be good for the soul moving to the upgraded objective of a milestone championship.

A loss by one goal will lead to a 30-minute extra time and potentially a penalty shootout to determine the winner of this Final Four matchup. But a loss by two goals or more will be catastrophic.

“I never go for a draw,” said coach Albert Capellas. “We go for a win and then let’s see if we can win, if we can draw, or whatever result happens. I never play for a draw. Philippines, we are winners.”

The prospect of playing a historic home game in the finale gives the Filipinos added motivation to bring this to the finish line.

“The job is not even halfway done,” Sandro Reyes said after the Philippines eked out its first victory over Thailand since 1972. “We have a really difficult second leg coming up and we want to play a final in Manila, so we’ll give everything to play that final game.” — Olmin Leyba

Eala eyes qualification for a grand slam main draw

ALEX EALA — FACEBOOK.COM/ALEXEALA

A GRAND SLAM main draw qualification for the first time, another pro and title and an entry to the Top 100.

Alex Eala has locked her eyes on those goals for 2025 after a year marked by triumphs and heartbreaks, near hits and misses this season.

“No. 1 is to qualify for a grand slam main draw. That’s the first goal,” said Ms. Eala on the Power and Play radio program of his uncle Noli Eala over the weekend.

The 19-year-old Filipina sensation this year made it to the qualifying finals in the French Open, Wimbledon and US Open with hopes of being the first Filipina player ever in a Grand Slam main tournament.

But Ms. Eala succumbed to more seasoned and higher-ranked opponents to miss out on the golden opportunity.

Ms. Eala bowed to Julia Riera of Argentina, 6-4, 6(3)-7, 4-6, in the French Open finals, to New Zealand’s Lulu Sun, 6(3)-7, 5-7, in the Wimbledon finale and to Romania’s Elena-Gabriela Ruse in the US Open qualifying championship.

“I do think that I passed a lot of milestones this year but there are definitely moments where I thought I was so close to achieving more but it just didn’t happen. It’s okay, at the end I’m very happy with how I performed and improved this year,” she added.

As for her two other inspirations, it’s only a matter of when next year owing to a steady rise in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and consistent showing in world tours.

“Ranking-wise, I’d like to get close to Top 100 and third, I’d like to win a title,” she beamed.

Ms. Eala is currently No. 148 in the WTA rankings, after starting from outside the Top 1000 in her 2020 debut, with five singles and three doubles titles to show.

She won her latest singles title in the W100 Vitoria-Gasteiz in Spain, where she also ruled the doubles division with partner Estelle Cascino from France.

That’s the first of three doubles crowns she all won this season after also reigning supreme in the W75 Croissy-Beauborg in France with Cascino and the W50 Pune in India with Latvia’s Darja Semenistaja. — John Bryan Ulanday

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