Facebook Instagram Linkedin Twitter Youtube
Home Blog Page 2417

UK cybersecurity firm eyes PHL expansion

STOCK PHOTO | Image from Freepik

NCC Group, a cybersecurity advisory company from the UK, said that it is looking to expand its operations in the Philippines, citing client demand.

“Our plan is to really embed the colleagues that we’ve hired in Manila to really grow the cybersecurity community that we’ve built. Right now, we’ve got 70 consultants, and we’re now starting to hire some other skills and some other disciplines,” NCC Group Chief Operating Officer Kevin Brown told BusinessWorld.

“We’re going to continue to grow very much, led by client demand and our growth aspirations. But we certainly see Manila as a key component of our global footprint,” he added.

He said that the company bases its hiring and upskilling decisions on the volume of demand.

“It’s more about… really understanding where we see the demand coming from clients, like what types of skills and services,” he said.

He added that the company has invested in cross-skilling, which gives consultants the opportunity to learn new skills.

“That really helps us with the future demand that we may need. So, it’s going to be very much a continued growth story in Manila,” he said.

He said that the company decided to locate in the country due to the enthusiasm among Filipino consultants to learn more, and amid positive feedback from clients.

“It was just awesome to see how people have really grasped the training and have a real appetite to do more. And then the feedback from our clients, where we’ve got our Filipino colleagues working with them, has been really, really positive,” Mr. Brown said.

Meanwhile, he said that the Philippine government’s approach to cybersecurity is on par with what the company has seen in other countries.

“What’s been impressive is how the government and the cybersecurity strategy really (recognize) that cyber is an important enabler to the growth of the economy in other sectors. And that’s really pleasing to hear,” he said.

“Cybersecurity, in fact, is actually a differentiator. It’s a thing that will attract businesses to come to the Philippines. If people have confidence that the Philippines has infrastructure that is perhaps safer or more secure than the next country, you’ll have that early mover advantage,” he added. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Restaurant recovery expected this year, chain eatery firm says

By Justine Irish D. Tabile, Reporter

CAVALLINO, INC., which operates the Racks chain of rib restaurants and holds the master franchise to the Tenya Tempura Tendon chain, said it expects its businesses to recover this year, powered by so-called “revenge spending.” 

“I’m sure, like every company, everybody has their own way of recovering. But so far, recovery is ongoing; we’re slowly getting out of that pandemic and slowly coming back to what it used to be,” Cavallino Managing Director Leopoldo M. Prieto III told BusinessWorld in a chance interview.

“We are almost there. You could say it is near… (Probably) within the year,” he added.

Asked what makes the company optimistic about achieving recovery this year, he said: “I think a lot of revenge spending is still there… that’s also why we (have an airport location), as a lot of revenge spending is centered around travel.” 

“Aside from that, Racks and Tenya are very popular with families. So that goes along with the sort of revenge spending on a family level,” he added.

On Thursday, the company opened a Racks and Tenya restaurant at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3.

“I think we found out it was a good opportunity for us to expand in the airport because we get a mixture of local as well as foreign tourists,” he said.

“And we would also like to get our name around, so we thought the airport was a good place to do that,” he added.

With the two newly opened restaurants, the company now has 21 Racks and 11 Tenya restaurants in its portfolio.

Asked about expansion plans, he said: “Usually, we tend to have around between 2 or 3 openings per year for each brand. So I think we’re going to open another two more within the year.”

“With what we have in the pipeline… for now they’ll usually be in Metro Manila. For provinces, I think maybe in a couple of years,” he added.

He said that the company is also looking to acquire brands that are not limited to restaurants.

“We don’t really have any set kind of concept to be looking at. So as long as something catches our eye, we will go for it,” he added.

He said that restaurants, in general, are being affected by the rising cost of fuel, which raises the cost of ingredients, though his company’s restaurants will try to absorb higher costs.

“If they can bring down the price of fuel, that’ll help us a lot. We use a lot of fuel, and that, unfortunately, translates to every commodity we have to buy, like meat, rice, and vegetables — pretty much everything,” he said.

“As a company, we try to hold off on price increases as much as possible. Usually, there’s a threshold, but as much as possible, as a group, we do not like to do that,” he added.

He said that the latest adjustment the company  implemented was in February; the prior adjustment took place during the pandemic.

Pasig River Expressway still a go — toll regulator 

SAN MIGUEL CORP.’s (SMC) announcement that it is abandoning the Pasig River Expressway (PAREX) project is not considered official as the company has not given notice to regulators, the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) said.

“Technically, it is still on the table because they have not given the confirmation that they are terminating the contract or the project,” TRB Executive Director Alvin A. Carullo told reporters last week.

SMC President and Chief Executive Officer Ramon S. Ang said in March that the company will no longer pursue the project.

The TRB wrote SMC to confirm its announcement but the company has yet to respond , Mr. Carullo said.

“As to the Pasig River Expressway, the last update is that we wrote SMC Infrastructure on the reported withdrawal or abandonment of the project. Up to this time, we have not received an official communication from SMC,” he said.

Even with the SMC announcement, the TRB cannot terminate the project, which must be initiated by the company.

Under the supplementary toll operation agreement, there will be monetary consequences if the government terminates the project, Mr. Carullo said.

“If they will be the one to unilaterally withdraw, there are no financial obligations but if the government itself will be the one to terminate, there will be legal consequences and that includes monetary consequences,” he added.

In March, Mr. Ang said the company will abandon the proposed PAREX project, citing the public controversy kicked up by the project.

The P95-billion elevated toll road project obtained government approval in 2021.

Last year, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources said it will review the project’s environmental impact.

The 19.37-kilometer PAREX has raised concerns about air pollution and the impact on heritage sites. Fears have also been raised about it impeding the river’s role as a waterway.

The official review of the PAREX project is currently on hold as a result of the SMC announcement, Mr. Carullo said.

“At this time (the review) is pending. The PAREX project is already in the final engineering design (FED) stage, but because of recent developments, the Board deferred the deadline of submission of the FED for six months,” he said. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

Fiscal transparency reduces need for overseas borrowing, ADB says

ASIA-PACIFIC countries must increase efforts to ensure transparent and effective use of revenue to boost tax compliance and reduce the need for overseas borrowing, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said.

“Efforts to increase domestic resource mobilization have focused more on one side of the equation, fiscal policy to increase tax revenue, and less on the other, financial management systems for effective expenditure management,” authors Eriko Tominaga, Julitta Ponniah, and Ma. Kristina E. Mahilum said in a blog.

The ADB also noted that tax revenue in countries increased with improvements in transparency, oversight, and corruption perceptions.

“Improving domestic resource mobilization can help countries decrease their need to borrow and increase their finances for development,” the bank said.

The bank cited the need for timely and easy access on the government’s budget and spending to understand how tax funds influence budget decisions.

External audits and Congressional scrutiny will also hold governments accountable for spending public funds, ADB said.

Citing the 2023 Transparency International report, the ADB noted that the Asia and the Pacific’s transparency average score stood at 45 out of 100.

“Tax policy and reform without improvements to public financial management systems may not be as effective It is akin to asking lenders and investors to inject more funds into a corporation without disclosing the investment plans or reporting on returns,” the ADB said.

Funding to address development challenges in Asia and the Pacific region is expected to surpass $1 trillion every year, according to the bank.

The Department of Finance has been looking into ways to boost nontax revenue after it shelved proposals for new taxes.

The Development Budget Coordination Committee is scheduled to review the government’s revenue targets next month, Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto said last week. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

NCR retail price growth steady in April 

BW FILE PHOTO

RETAIL PRICE growth of general goods in the National Capital Region (NCR) was flat in April and remained at the weakest level in over two years, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said.

According to preliminary data from the PSA, price growth in the NCR, as measured by the general retail price index (GRPI), remained at 2.1% year on year in April.

This was significantly lower compared with the year-earlier 5.4%.

The April reading remained the weakest since the 1.9% posted in January 2022.

In the four months to April, the GRPI in Metro Manila averaged 2.1%, against the 6.1% posted in the first four months of 2023.

Price growth decelerated in the heavily-weighted food index (2.6% in April from 2.7% in March), the crude materials, inedible except fuels (0.8% from 1%) category, the beverages and tobacco (3.7% from 4.3%) category, and the machinery and transport equipment category (0.6% from 0.7%).

On the other hand, the PSA noted that “faster annual increments” in the remaining four commodity groups compared with the previous month.

The index for mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials grew 5% in April from 2.5% in March. Chemicals, including animal and vegetable oils and fats followed with 2.5% from 2.4% a month earlier.

Faster annual increases were also seen in manufactured goods classified chiefly by materials (1.4% in April from 1.2% in March) and miscellaneous manufactured articles (1.2% from 1.1%).

According to the PSA, the GRPI is used to monitor the condition of retail trade. It is also used as a deflator in the National Accounts, particularly in the retail trade sector, and serves as a basis for forecasting. — Abigail Marie Pelea Yraola

How GenAI can accelerate business transformations

IN BRIEF:

• According to the EY 2023 Work Reimagined Survey, 84% of organizations plan to implement GenAI within the year, aligning with strategic goals to revolutionize processes such as product development and customer engagement.

• GenAI’s success relies on quality, trustworthy data, and cross-disciplinary collaboration, necessitating investments in data optimization and team synergy among AI specialists, data scientists, and business stakeholders.

• GenAI adoption must adhere to responsible AI principles, prioritizing transparency, fairness, and ethical considerations to build stakeholder trust and sustainably leverage the technology’s full potential.

Given the fast-paced nature of digital evolution, businesses are increasingly turning to innovative technologies to stay ahead of the curve. Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), which refers to AI algorithms that generate outputs based on existing data, has emerged as a transformative force that can revolutionize operations like product development, customer engagement, and software programming. However, integrating this technology into business processes requires strategic planning and careful execution. 

The EY 2023 Work Reimagined Survey shows that 84% of employers are expecting to implement GenAI within a year. Additionally, 33% of employees and employers see potential benefits for productivity and new ways of working. GenAI’s transformative capabilities are expected to augment human work and increase efficiency, which will have long-term effects on the global business landscape.

The technology can transform business processes and unlock new levels of creativity and efficiency. To help ensure the success of GenAI implementation, this article will share five key strategies to effectively harness the power of Gen-AI in business transformation.

ANCHOR EVERYTHING TO THE ENTERPRISE STRATEGY
Begin by clearly defining business objectives and assessing how GenAI fits into the organization’s broader strategy. Identify specific areas where implementing an AI solution can drive value, such as streamlining operations, enhancing creativity, or personalizing customer experiences.

By aligning AI initiatives with strategic goals, businesses can ensure that resources are allocated efficiently and that AI investments deliver measurable, tangible returns.

PREPARE QUALITY DATA
The success of GenAI will depend on the quality and diversity of data used to train models. It encompasses algorithms that leverage upon neural networks to generate new data that resembles the patterns found in the inputs it has been trained on. Access to relevant and high-quality data is therefore crucial for training and validation.

Organizations must invest in data collection, cleansing, and augmentation processes to ensure that AI systems are trained with accurate and representative datasets. Additionally, diverse training data will be imperative to capture a wide range of scenarios and edge cases. This can improve the robustness of AI models, help mitigate biases, and ensure fair outcomes.

COLLABORATE WITH THE RIGHT TEAMS
The effective implementation of Gen-AI requires collaboration among multidisciplinary teams, highlighting the need for partnerships between AI specialists, data scientists, domain experts, and business stakeholders. Involve a cross-functional team in the decision-making process, blending technical expertise with business acumen and ethical considerations, to create a balanced and forward-thinking AI strategy.

By fostering a collaborative ecosystem, organizations can leverage diverse perspectives and domain knowledge to develop AI solutions that address real-world challenges. Cross-functional teams should work together iteratively, from ideation to deployment, to ensure that AI solutions are aligned with business needs and user requirements.

APPLY RESPONSIBLE AI
Ethical and responsible AI practices are paramount in today’s data-driven world. Prioritize transparency, fairness, and accountability throughout the AI lifecycle. Implement measures to mitigate biases, ensure data privacy, and establish mechanisms for explaining AI-generated outputs. 

Bias in particular often manifests in ways that harm certain parts of the population. When the data that is used to train a model does not accurately reflect the group it is intended to serve, it can create imbalances in the model’s outcomes. For example, imbalances could stem from a lack of diversity in the types of data collected. However, there are other types of imbalances that may compromise the precision of the GenAI model without negatively affecting a particular group. Although preventing such imbalances entirely is challenging, the development team must investigate potential sources of imbalance and seek ways to reduce it.

By embedding ethical considerations into AI development processes, businesses can build trust with stakeholders and mitigate potential AI-deployment risks.

LEARN, ADAPT, AND IMPROVE CONTINUOUSLY
AI implementation is a journey, not a destination. Embrace a culture of continuous learning and adaptation, where feedback loops drive incremental improvements. Monitor the performance of AI systems in real-world environments and gather insights from user interactions.

Furthermore, use this feedback to refine AI models, optimize algorithms, and adapt strategies according to evolving business dynamics. Learning and growing from the project should be treated as an essential component of an AI endeavor, instead of a last-minute consideration. Foster an environment of ongoing education, prompting those involved to thoughtfully evaluate all triumphs and challenges. By staying agile and responsive, organizations can harness the full potential of GenAI to drive innovation and secure a competitive advantage.

TRANSFORMING IN THE LONG TERM
While previous technological advancements mostly focused on automation, GenAI can also assist with complex cognitive functions like predictive analytics, machine learning, and natural language processing. Also, its use-cases encompass a diverse range of industries, occupations, and tasks. For example, the case study Generative AI at Work showed that customer service agents could resolve 13.8% more customer inquiries per hour with the help of GenAI tools.

The successful implementation of GenAI requires a holistic approach that encompasses strategic alignment, data excellence, collaborative engagement, ethical considerations, and continuous learning. By adopting these key strategies, businesses can unlock new opportunities, drive operational efficiencies, and stay ahead in today’s digital economy. Through concrete, actionable steps, Gen-AI can boost efficiency and innovation, reshaping today’s ways of working. 

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

 

Randall C. Antonio is an AI technology consulting principal of SGV & Co.

More than 7,000 passengers stranded as first Philippine storm strengthens

STRONG winds and heavy rains from Tropical Storm Aghon knocked down this tree in front of the Minor Basilica and Parish of St. John the Baptist in Taytay, Rizal on Sunday. No one was hurt when it crushed two parked vehicles. — PHILIPPINE STAR/MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

By Adrian H. Halili, Reporter

MORE than 7,000 passengers including cargo helpers and truck drivers were stranded on Sunday morning, the Philippine Coast Guard said, as the country’s first storm of the year intensified on its way to southern Luzon.

Tropical Storm Aghon (International name: Ewiniar) moved closer to Manila, threatening to intensify into a typhoon before leaving the Philippines by Wednesday.

The state weather bureau placed more areas under tropical wind signal No. 2.

In an advisory, the coast guard said 2,913 people had been stranded in Southern Tagalog ports as of Sunday morning, 1,708 in Bicol ports, 1,607 in Eastern Visayas ports and 849 in Nasipit Port in Northeastern Mindanao.

It added that 26 vessels, 14 motorboats and 875 rolling cargoes had been stranded. Seventy-six vessels and 21 motorboats had taken shelter in Northeastern Mindanao, Bicol, Eastern Visayas and the Southern Tagalog regions.

It also said it had rescued a motorboat that capsized in waters off Peñafrancia, Claveria in Masbate amid the storm.

MBCA Oceanus Uno was struck by powerful waves while it was on its way to Masbate City, causing the vessel to capsize, it said.

Its search and rescue team rescued 48 passengers and crew members, “all of whom were found to be in good condition.”

The coast guard initially suspended voyages for all vessels and watercraft but lifted it later in the day amid improving weather conditions.

The state weather bureau said Aghon had slowly intensified and was turning toward Quezon province on Luzon island.

In a 2 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the storm was last seen near Mauban, Quezon.

It was slowly moving northwestward with maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 125 kph.

“By (May 27) it would be in the coastal waters of Aurora, and may strengthen into a severe tropical storm,” state weather forecaster Benison Estareja told a news briefing.

He added that the storm would likely move across the Calabarzon area in the next 12 hours.

PAGASA raised tropical wind signal no. 2 over Aurora, the northern and central portions of Quezon, Polillo Islands, Laguna, the eastern portion of Batangas and eastern Rizal. Wind speeds of more than 62 to 88 kph were expected.

“Minor to moderate impacts from strong winds are possible within any of the localities where wind signal No. 2 is hoisted,” it said in a separate statement.

Signal No. 1 was raised over eastern Isabela, Quirino and Bataan, southern Nueva Vizcaya, eastern and southern Nueva Ecija and the eastern portion of Pampanga.

Signal No. 1 was also hoisted over Bulacan, Metro Manila, the rest of Quezon and Rizal, Cavite, the rest of Batangas, the northern and central parts of Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, the extreme northern portion of Romblon, Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur.

“From Monday through the remainder of the forecast period, Aghon will gradually accelerate northeastward while intensifying,” PAGASA said.

“Aghon is forecast to reach typhoon category by Tuesday afternoon or evening and may exit the (Philippine area of responsibility) on Wednesday,” it added.

Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) said workers were on standby for possible brownouts in storm-hit areas.

Meralco has implemented measures to mitigate the possible impact of the storm, Meralco Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications Joe R. Zaldarriaga said in a statement.

He added that the company had asked billboard owners and operators to roll signages up to avoid toppling.

Meralco’s controlling stakeholder, Beacon Electric Asset Holdings, Inc., is partly owned by PLDT, Inc.

Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has an interest in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — with KATA

Sea dispute with China should be key election issue in 2025 — analysts

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

By Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza, Reporter

THE ECONOMIC importance of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea should be a key issue in the 2025 midterm elections that should not be overshadowed by concerns about spiraling prices, political analysts said at the weekend.

“It is important for advocates to highlight the economic dimensions of foreign relations in general, especially the lives of those who are directly affected in the West Philippine Sea,” Anthony Lawrence A. Borja, a political science professor at De La Salle University, said in a Facebook Messenger chat.

“Many Filipinos are worried more about their wallets than territorial integrity and security, issues they deem remote due to a lack of understanding, the absence of recognizable impacts, or a sheer lack of empathy for those directly affected,” he added.

Some political quarters may also exploit the issue by underestimating the effects of Chinese aggression at sea on Philippine food and energy security, Mr. Borja said.

He noted that based on opinion polls, many Filipinos only care about an issue that affects them directly, and pro-China politicians could exploit this by amplifying the effects of a potential war on inflation.

Prolonged rains brought by La Niña starting June threaten the farm sector and efforts to cool inflation that quickened to 3.8% in April from 3.7% in March amid spiraling food prices.

A Pulse Asia Research, Inc. poll in March showed inflation was still the public’s most urgent concern.

Tensions between the Philippines and China have worsened in the past year as Beijing continues to block resupply missions to Second Thomas Shoal, where Manila grounded a World War II-era ship in 1999 to assert its sovereignty.

The Philippines has reported increased Chinese presence in features near Recto Bank, which is believed to hold as many as 5.4 billion barrels of oil and 55.1 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.

On Sunday, a group of Filipino fishermen from Zambales, Pangasinan, Bataan and Palawan provinces said their fishing rights within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone are continuously “threatened by harassment and intimidation by China’s coast guard and maritime militia who are keeping Filipinos away from the rich waters.”

“We and our families are enduring further hunger and impoverishment due to these Chinese activities,” the Bigkis ng Mangingisda Federation said in a statement, citing coral reef destruction by China.

“In addition to reef damage, tailings from the mines linked to Chinese business interests cascade down the mountains, contaminating rivers and municipal waters, killing fish and other living marine resources,” it added.

Philip Arnold “Randy” P. Tuaño, dean of the Ateneo de Manila University School of Government, said the Marcos government may cite efforts it has taken to diversify trade away from China, and the planned economic corridor on the main island of Luzon.

“Because of the intensification of trade wars between China and the US, the latter has been pushing for increased trade and investment links with the Philippines, for example, by prioritizing the Luzon investment corridor and increasing purchases of semiconductors and other electronic items for America’s manufacturing push,” he said in an e-mail.

Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel D. Romualdez earlier said Washington and Tokyo are expected to marshal $100 billion (P5.8 trillion) worth of investments in the country in the next 5 to 10 years.

CA denies plea to stop Sibuyan mining

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

THE COURT of Appeals (CA) dismissed a plea for a Writ of Kalikasan, which sought to halt the activities of a mining corporation on Sibuyan Island, citing jurisdictional flaws.

In a 33-page resolution, the CA 6th Division ruled that a Writ of Kalikasan is “not an excuse to invoke judicial remedies when there still remain administrative forums” to address the concern.

Instead, the CA ordered the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) to resolve the complaint against the two agencies and Altai Philippines Mining Corporation (APMC).

“This Court does not, in any way, turn a blind eye to the allegation of environmental issues that confront the Sibuyan Island,” read part of the resolution penned by Associate Justice Eduardo S. Ramos, Jr.

However, it also stated that the appellate court “cannot simply disregard the jurisdictional and procedural flaws in the Petition; to do so is to belittle the judicial system and administration of justice.”

It cited how the petitioners failed to show the extent of the area affected to justify the writ or to prove that APMC’s exploration activity and transport of nickel ore would harm the life, health, and property of two or more cities or provinces, which is necessary under the Rules of Procedure for such cases.

National Coordinator of Alyansa Tigil Mina Jesus Vicente C. Garganera, in a text message to BusinessWorld, expressed disappointment over the CA ruling.

“This is really not applicable nor feasible to fragile island ecosystems which is prevalent to the Philippine geological context,” he said.

“We demand the DENR [to] immediately cancel the Mineral Production Sharing of AMPC to prevent further environmental degradation of the coastal areas and the Mt. Guiting-Guiting protected landscape,” he added. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Erring e-bikes to be issued tickets starting May 27

PHILIPPINE STAR/EDD GUMBAN

THE METROPOLITAN Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will resume issuing violation tickets to light vehicles that pass through major roads in Metro Manila starting May 27.

Included in the ban are e-bikes, e-trikes and pedicabs, as announced last week, after it extended the grace period by another week.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on April 17 ordered a one-month grace period so drivers of light vehicles could be informed about the ban.

“MMDA needs a complete overhaul of its priorities and policies to ones that have a holistic view of development for everyone,” transport advocate and AltMobility PH Director Ira F. Cruz said in a Viber message at the weekend.

“The number of apprehensions is not a success metric,” he said. “Instead, it should be how their policies help or hurt people. In the case of the ban, it impairs the mobility of people and only benefits a minority of private vehicles.”

Under a Metro Manila Council regulation, e-bikes, e-trikes, tricycles, pedicabs, push carts, and kuligligs are banned from passing through national, circumferential roads, and radial roads in Metro Manila.

Violators face a fine of P2,500 and confiscation of their license, while unregistered vehicles may be impounded.

Before the grace period, MMDA issued tickets to 290 violators and impounded 69 vehicles. It said the drivers had not been fined and all vehicles were released.

The MMDA imposed the ban due to the growing number of accidents involving light vehicles on main roads.

It recorded 2,829 accidents in 2022 involving bikes, e-bikes, and pedicabs. The ban is implemented on 19 highways in the capital region. — C.M.A. Hufana

PHL senator calls out China

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO/ SENATE PRIB/JOSEPH VIDAL

A PHILIPPINE senator has urged China to stop holding military drills and its militarization around Taiwan and in the South China Sea, saying it could worsen tensions among regional neighbors.

“China must stop flexing her muscles around Taiwan and all across the South China Sea,” Senator Ana Theresia N. Hontiveros-Baraquel said in a statement on Sunday. “Militarizing the South China Sea is not the solution. Instead of working with governments to abate the tensions in the region, all Beijing has done is make matters worse.”

Beijing on May 23 kicked off war games around Taiwan that simulated strikes at Taiwan’s ports and airports, three days after Taiwan’s new president, Lai Ching-te, took office.

Taiwan has been independent from China since 1949, but Beijing still claims the island as part of its territory and views Taiwan as a “renegade province.”

Tensions between the Philippines and China have also worsened amid Beijing’s repeated attempts to block Philippine resupply missions to its troops stationed at a World War II shipwreck grounded on Second Thomas Shoal (Ayungin Shoal).

The Philippines has filed 153 diplomatic protests against China under the Marcos administration, 20 in all this year, Philippine Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ma. Teresita C. Daza told reporters in a WhatsApp message on May 2.

“I hope the international community can unequivocally stand with Taiwan amid China’s continued belligerence,” Ms. Hontiveros-Baraquel said. “Any conflict in our region affects not only our neighbors, but also the entire world.” — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Bills against red-tagging pushed

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

A LAWMAKER urged Congress on Sunday to swiftly pass two measures seeking to criminalize red-tagging in the country to exact punishment on those taking part in it.

In a statement on Sunday, Party-list Rep. France L. Castro deplored how red-tagging continues, citing a recent seminar conducted by the Philippine military at a school in Rizal province where it allegedly insinuated that social and political activists were communists.

“The government should focus on providing quality education and protecting our youth, not spreading fear and misinformation,” she said.

Earlier this month, the Supreme Court came out with a ruling that red-tagging is a threat to a person’s right to life, liberty, and security. Ms. Castro said it is about time Congress passed the bills against red-tagging that have been pending before the House Committee on Justice since 2022 be passed.

The supposed seminar held by the military disregarded the High Court ruling on red-tagging, she said. “[This is] a blatant disregard of the Supreme Court’s ruling that red-tagging is a dangerous practice that puts lives in peril,” she said. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

1...2,4162,4172,418...13,459Page 2,417 of 13,459
© 2024 BusinessWorld Publishing.
All rights reserved.
Read our privacy guidelines
Facebook Instagram Linkedin Twitter Youtube