How AI is transforming the accounting and auditing professions

July 28, 2024 | 7:52 pm

IN BRIEF:

• Artificial intelligence is poised to reshape the professional services industry by increasing efficiency and creating approximately 58 million jobs according to the World Economic Forum.

• Broader AI adoption relies on responsible, equitable, and people-centered approaches to overcome challenges and transform the accounting profession.

Artificial intelligence (AI) can transform the business landscape for accountants and auditors. Given the fast-paced technological advancements in data mining; machine learning, which in turn fuels generative AI (GenAI); and quantum computing, which can speed up and enhance machine learning, the potential to transform the accounting and audit professions is immense.

As technology continues to evolve, so do accounting and audit professionals as they gain access to huge amounts of data and leverage AI to streamline workflows. Besides data analysis, AI can also be used to improve various accounting and audit processes to save time, reduce human error, and increase efficiency.

Despite AI’s potential, fears persist that it could replace humans by performing tasks faster and more accurately. However, experts from the World Economic Forum (WEF) predict that automation will result in an increase of 58 million jobs, with two-thirds of which being highly skilled. While AI has the power to revolutionize accounting, its real strength lies in supporting the work of highly skilled professionals.

TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS AND APPLICATIONS
Following a technological lull, the past years saw an uptick of AI applications across various industries. This nascent period saw AI becoming more adept at handling, organizing, and analyzing large sets of both structured/quantitative and unstructured/qualitative data. The digital revolution, which is data-rich, has also sparked interesting AI use cases in different fields.

For example, lease accounting analysis is usually performed by humans; although, some pilot programs show that AI tools could execute the same task more quickly. That is, AI can possibly review up to 80% of the contents of simple lease arrangements, thus allowing humans to focus on more challenging tasks or, in this case, more complex leases.

Nevertheless, AI cannot replace the judgment, experience, and creativity that humans bring to their work. Making value judgments and weighing opportunity costs are still out of the scope of AI.

PREDICTIVE CAPABILITIES
Overall, one of AI’s main strengths lies in its predictive capability. AI could help audit teams reasonably predict future risks and recalibrate their approaches. Additionally, AI presents interesting opportunities for accounting areas like fraud detection.

Another lucrative area for AI is anomaly detection, the predictive value of which underscores AI’s evolution and allows auditors to work more efficiently. Consequently, organizations must ensure that their AI algorithms are compatible with their current infrastructures and workflows, which requires a balance in planning, training, and monitoring.

REAL-WORLD INTERACTIONS AND IMPLICATIONS
AI’s second developmental phase, shaped by its interactions with the world, can be seen in voice recognition and similar tools. Other technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), the network of physical devices and objects connected to the internet that collect and share data, could enable AI to synergize with the material world. This shift is often called the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

AI will impact not only audit work but also talent recruitment since it will demand new, diverse profiles, rather than replace existing talent. As such, the industry will need skilled individuals across a wide range of disciplines; moreover, they must understand accounting, its industry, and emerging technologies such as AI, blockchain, and machine learning. By keeping pace with technological advancements, organizations can continue to deliver high-value, high-quality audits.

BUILDING CONFIDENCE IN AI ADOPTION
Goldman Sachs forecast that global AI investment could reach $200 billion by 2025. However, survey data from the International Data Corp. (IDC) — a global market intelligence firm — showed that only 22% of organizations are planning to adopt AI tools, with 52% citing a lack of specialized talent as the top blocker. Moreover, an EY survey showed that 65% of CEOs believe that more work is needed to address various AI-related risks like data privacy, misinformation, and intellectual property.

Building stakeholder trust takes time, and it requires a balanced approach that encourages innovation while minimizing risks. As such, EY has started shaping responsible AI guidelines and frameworks through the EY.ai Confidence Index, a tool that integrates ethical, societal, and public policy considerations.

DRIVING SUSTAINABLE GROWTH THROUGH AI
AI will reshape the global economy, which will come with new risks and opportunities. Organizations must identify opportunities, leverage AI, and create long-term value to gain a competitive advantage over their peers.

Leaders face the critical task of navigating change management, clarifying AI-related misconceptions, and establishing AI governance. With responsible and people-centered approaches to AI, organizations can drive sustainable growth, empower talent, and transform the accounting and audit professions.

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.

Vivian C. Ruiz is the vice chair and deputy managing partner of SGV & Co.

Delgaco advances to quarterfinals

July 28, 2024 | 7:45 pm

PARIS — Olympic rookie rower Joanie Delgaco breathed life on her Cinderella bid.

In a virtual knockout race, Ms. Delgaco battled with great resolve, leading repechage 1 from start to finish en route to a quarterfinals entry in the 2024 Paris Games women’s single sculls event.

“Joanie just made history,” said Philippine Rowing Association President Patrick Gregorio, ecstatic with Ms. Delgaco cracking the Top 24 in her first Olympic journey.

Ms. Delgaco is actually the first Filipina rower to ever make the summer spectacle.

A pocket number of Filipino supporters at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium stood as witnesses as Ms. Delgaco shone brightly in the race, topping Vietnam’s Thi Hue Pham, Cuba’s Yariulvis Cobas Garcia, Nicaragua’s Evidelia Gonzalez Jarquin and Togo’s Akoko Komlanvi.

In better groove than in her first race Saturday, the Iriga City native clocked 7:55.00, winning comfortably over second placer and fellow quarters qualifier Pham (8:00.97).

Eased out of the medal play were the rowers from Cuba, Nicaragua and Togo. “Its a good start and she sustains it,” said coach Ed Maerina on the strong performance of the 26-year-old Filipina bet.

In her heat on Saturday, Ms. Delgaco was among the strong starters but faded in the closing meters, thus, missing an outright quarters entry with a fourth-place finish in 7:56.26 over the 2,000m race.

She takes a rest Monday before facing the giants of the sport in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.

Drawing of lots will determine four groups of six rowers each. The top three from each group will progress to semifinals A and B (in medal contention) while the fourth to sixth placers will be relegated to semifinals C and D (ranking).

“We have confidence in Joanie’s ability, but as always we implore her to stay focused, calm and give her very best in any race no matter the competitors,” said Mr. Gregorio.

In Tokyo in 2021, Chris Niavarez also made the quarterfinals before eventually finishing 23^rd out of 31.

Philippines’ first esports ‘super app’ Kalaro offers monetization for organizers, streamers

July 28, 2024 | 7:43 pm

By Aubrey Rose A. Inosante, Reporter

SINGAPORE-BASED software company Kalaro Holdings Pte Ltd. has launched its super app that hosts esports tournaments while offering monetization opportunities for organizers and content creators.

“Its purpose is to bring monetization to esports stakeholders, like casters, streamers, podcasters, and other content creators. You can send Kalaro gems to your favorite content creators,” Kalaro Founder and Chief Executive Officer Basilio “Jun” D. Lasco, Jr. said via a virtual press briefing on Thursday.

Kalaro version 2.1, launched on Thursday, allows organizers to host small, nationwide, and international esports games. It has started its mobilization for the accreditation of tournament organizers across 82 provinces in the country.

“Our trial tournament and collaboration with the province of Bulacan, the leader was not able to formally finish college, but his execution of tournaments and events are great, even participation of the local brands, and because of that, he was able to monetize,” he said.

Among the supported esports games in Kalaro are Mobile Legends (ML), ML Bang Bang, Call of Duty, Valorant, League of Legends, and more.

“Brands are not limited to advertising and promoting their products inside the platform even if they are not gaming products. But the [brand] storefronts where [in-app currency]’Kalaro Gems’ can be used to buy gaming gadgets and merchandise,” he said.

Gaming merchandise will soon be available for purchase inside Kalaro after the various brands and products have been onboarded to the platform.

Kalaro’s e-wallet can be loaded via GCash, Grabpay, and Alipay, and through online banking transactions, which can be done in 7-Eleven stores. It also partnered with Union Bank of the Philippines to manage e-wallet transactions to deter risk of fraud and cheating.

This can improve the gaming mastery and volume of the current 43 million Filipino gamers from 32 million before the pandemic, he said.

Mr. Lasco said he saw that the market has no available esports platform that catered to Filipinos and ASEAN countries, and mostly to communities in Western countries.

“Kalaro is able to automate the progression from player registration, team formation, or the bracketing, eliminations, semifinals, all the way to the championship round,” he said.

It created a social network hub for gamers so that finding a teammate, a new gamer-friend, a coach, or a competitor for a friendly match, he said.

Open beta testing of Kalaro began in October 2021, which led to gathering feedback from more than 10,000 open beta testers, with more than 60% of them coming from the Philippines.

“Artificial intelligence will continue to be a big factor in accelerating the implementation of Kalaro’s algorithm that matches a user with other fellow gamers,” the company said.

It added that gamer matching is now part of the app’s news feed, but will soon be in a separate module to better the discovery of new gamer-friends inside the platform.

The investment for Kalaro is “more than $1 million and less than $2 million initially” and would spend more to promote the application in the country.

PHL wins Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Women’s Invitational

July 28, 2024 | 7:43 pm

OMGE-mlbb — OMGE TOOK HOME $180,000 (About P10.5 million) of the $500,000 prize pool, the largest-ever purse in women’s esports.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — A new era dawns for Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) women’s esports. Smart Omega Empress (OMGE) on Saturday dethroned stalwarts, Team Vitality (VIT), to take the MLBB Women’s Invitational (MWI) 2024 and write history as the first Filipino team to win a tournament at the Esports World Cup! The all-Filipino team executed a clean sweep over their Indonesian rivals in the Best-Of-Five (BO5) Grand Finals, ending their 24-match winning streak dating back to 2021.

Along with the crown, OMGE took home $180,000 (About P10.5 million) of the $500,000 prize pool, the largest-ever purse in women’s esports. Sheen “Shinoa” Perez was declared the Finals Most Valuable Player (FMVP), taking home $50,000 (about P2.9 million).

The MWI is the biggest MLBB esports tournament for women athletes and aims to provide female players with the platform to pursue their esports ambitions. The MWI 2024 was played in the Amazon Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marking the first time that the tournament was held outside of Southeast Asia, as part of the maiden Esports World Cup. The tournament brought together 12 international teams from around the world.

Smart Omega Empress is fielded by Gold Laner Sheen “Shinoa” Perez, Jungler Kaye “Keishi” Alpuerto, Mid Laner Rica “Amoree” Amores, EXP Laner Gwyneth “Ayanami” Diagon, and Roamer Mery Christine “Meraaay” Vivero. The team is led by Coach Salman “KingSalman” Macarambon.

The third edition of the MWI smashed the tournament’s previous viewership record. The MWI 2024 Grand Finals achieved 265,117 Peak Concurrent Viewers (PCV), according to Esports Charts. The previous benchmark of 179,024 PCV was set at MWI 2023, according to Esports Charts.

Ray Ng, Head of Esports Ecosystem at MOONTON Games, said: “The competitive women’s esports scene has taken a huge step forward with the MWI 2024. We believe that esports is for everyone, so we’re delighted to have given the world’s best female athletes the stage and #TimeToShine. We’d also like to thank all of our fans who cheered the roof off the Amazon Arena.”

ROS Elasto Painters sign Tiongson in 3-year deal

July 28, 2024 | 7:42 pm

RAIN OR SHINE (ROS) has finally secured its top draft pick Caelan Tiongson, striking a three-year deal on Sunday in the thick of the team’s campaign at the 39^th Kadayawan Invitational Basketball Tournament.

“Welcome to the Bayan ng ROS family,” said the Elasto Painters after coming to terms at last with their seventh pick in the just-concluded PBA Season 94 Rookie Draft earlier this month.

ROS alternate governor Edison Oribiana, head coach Yeng Guiao, deputy mentor Caloy Garcia and agent Marvin Espiritu of the Espiritu Manotoc Basketball Management (EMBM) joined Tiongson in the contract signing.

It was held in Davao City, where the Elasto Painters are having an unbeaten campaign in three games so far as part of their final build-up for the coming Commissioner’s Cup on Aug. 18 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

Mr. Tiongson’s signing with ROS came days after the Elasto Painters also sealed Fil-Swedish ace Felix Lemitti (No. 8) and Francis Escandor (No. 13) to three-year and one-year contracts, respectively, as their first three picks in the loaded draft class.

With the Filipino-American standout finally on board, he’s expected to suit up for ROS in the Kadayawan finals against UAAP champion DeLa Salle University.

Mr. Tiongson, who’s coming off a Jones Cup championship run in Taiwan with Strong Group-Pilipinas, traveled with the squad to Davao City but has yet to suit up in ROS’ first three matches without a signature on the dotted line.

Still, ROS has taken care of its duty by beating De La Salle, 106-105, Phoenix 104-102, and Converge, 119-108, to top the eliminations and gain a finale ticket.

The Green Archers, after a close debut loss against the Elasto Painters, gained a rematch shot at them by besting Converge, 120-112, and Phoenix, 104-102, for a 2-1 slate. — John Bryan Ulanday

Severino settles for second place in Disabled World Chess Championships

July 28, 2024 | 7:42 pm

THE PHILIPPINES’ Sander Severino faltered in the ninth and final round but still ended up at second place in the International Physically Disabled Chess Association (IPCA) World Chess Championships that concluded in Gyumri, Armenia over the weekend.

Mr. Severino, 39, lost his way in the opening and former IPCA winner International Master Andrei Gurbanov of Israel pounced on it to carve out a 20-move victory in the ninth and final round.

Had the many-time Asian and ASEAN Para Games gold medalist just drawn, he would have taken first place and reclaimed the same crown he last won four years back during the pandemic.

Instead, Kazakh FM Alimzhan Ayapov, who drew with FM Illia Lipilin of FIDE refugee team’s FM Illia Ilipin, took the crown with seven points.

Mr. Severino, for his part, dropped to a five-player logjam at No. 2 with 6.5 points but ended up with the highest tiebreaker score to claim the runner-up finish.

James Infiesto, Mr. Severino and the national para team coach, halved the point with Armenian FM Sargis Sargissyan and finished at eighth spot with six points.

Henry Lopez was 16^th while Cheyzer Mendoza 17^th with 5.5 points each. — Joey Villar

Warner Bros. Discovery sues NBA over bid for broadcast rights

July 28, 2024 | 7:42 pm

WARNER Bros. Discovery and its sports division, Turner Broadcasting System, filed a lawsuit on Friday against the National Basketball Association (NBA) in New York over the league’s rejection of its matching bid for media rights.

The media company accused the NBA’s refusal to honor its right to match offers from a third party violates its agreement with Turner Broadcasting System.

“We strongly believe this is not just our contractual right, but also in the best interest of fans who want to keep watching our industry-leading NBA content,” TNT Sports said in a statement.

NBA spokesman Michael “Mike” Bass said Warner Bros. Discovery’s claims are “without merit.” — Reuters

Pride at stake

July 28, 2024 | 7:41 pm

Men’s basketball began yesterday in the Summer Games, and the four matches on tap all lived up to the hype. France and Australia, medalists in the Japan Olympics, bolstered their bids for spots in the Round of Four with identical 12-point victories over Brazil and Spain, respectively. Germany, which came close to beating the United States in an exhibition last week, coasted against Japan, while Canada preserved an early lead to upend Greece by seven. For longtime hoops habitues on this side of the globe who stayed up until the wee hours of the morning to catch the encounters live, the latter proved to be especially rewarding.

True, any contest that features All-Stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander cannot but be must-see fare. That said, yesterday’s meeting between Greece and Canada had the added flavor of nationalism. They, and other notable professionals, weren’t playing for a paycheck; in fact, they were risking their livelihood by burning rubber in Paris. Bottom line, they were strutting their stuff for flag and country. It’s why just about every possession was treated as the last, and why they all wore their hearts on their sleeves.

Acclaimed sports writer Grantland Rice once said, “When one great scorer comes to write against your name, He marks, not that you won or lost, but how you played the game.” Well, both Greece and Canada did play the game, and how. It just so happened that they also meant to win — and to the extent that International Basketball Federation rules would allow. By the time the battlesmoke cleared, a whopping 64 free throws off 52 called — and a host of other uncalled — fouls were taken. And it didn’t matter that Antetokounmpo and Company were down early and by as much as 16; they still had a chance to get ahead in the final minute of the payoff period.

Canada’s stalwarts would hold on to preserve their advantage. And in securing their first Summer Games win over the last 24 years, they exemplified the Olympics motto Citius, Altius, Fortius — or, rather, the first part. The last, “Communiter,” was clearly optional for them. Owing to the heat of the battle, they had harsh words instead of handshakes for Greece. Even Gilgeous-Alexander joined in, shouting “What up, b—h” to a fallen opponent. If magnanimity had a face right there and then, it would have been in a milk carton.

Such is competition in the highest stages, and, within the confines of the court, causal observers will not find a better product. Nothing but pride is at stake, and everything with pride is at stake.

Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and human resources management, corporate communications, and business development.

Top Philippine, China envoys tackle sea row on sidelines of ASEAN event

July 28, 2024 | 7:08 pm

Yearender_Photo1-BRP Sierra Madre — BRP SIERRA MADRE, a marooned transport ship which Philippine Marines live in as a military outpost, sits on the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, part of the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. — REUTERS

By John Victor D. Ordoñez, Reporter

TOP diplomats from the Philippines and China on Saturday met in Laos to discuss their sea dispute, according to Manila’s Foreign Affairs chief, a month after the two reached an arrangement for Manila’s resupply missions to Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea.

In an X post on Sunday, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo said he had spoken with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Vientiane, Laos about their “differences.”

“I mentioned that both countries should adhere to the agreement,” he said.

The Philippines and China reached a “provisional arrangement” during a bilateral consultation mechanism in Manila on July 2 for resupply missions at the disputed shoal.

Both countries resumed talks to ease tensions in the South China Sea after accusing each other of raising tensions in disputed shoals and reefs in the waterway.

China has said it would only allow Philippine resupply missions to the shoal, where Filipino soldiers live on a grounded ship, if it is informed in advance.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Manila had never agreed to prior notification during talks with Chinese officials.

The DFA on Saturday said a civilian vessel escorted by the Philippine Coast Guard successfully conducted a resupply mission to Second Thomas Shoal. “No untoward incidents were reported” during the mission, it said.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry in a statement at the weekend said Beijing had been notified of the resupply mission before it was carried out.

“After confirming on site that the Philippine vessel carried only humanitarian living necessities, the Chinese side let the vessel through,” it said.

In a separate statement on Sunday, Philippine Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ma. Teresita C. Daza said Beijing’s Foreign Ministry inaccurately described how the supply mission was carried out.

“Let us make it absolutely clear: the understanding between the Philippines and China was concluded in good faith, with the explicit agreement that it will not prejudice national positions,” she said.

“It is not helpful to keep giving false notions about what has been agreed on and how they were implemented,” she added.

Chinese Coast Guard forces with bladed weapons on June 17 boarded Philippine rubber boats and looted several rifles stored in gun cases, actions that Manila’s military chief Romeo S. Brawner, Jr. said only “pirates” do.

China claims more than 80% of the South China Sea, overlapping with the exclusive economic zones of Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and the Philippines.

A United Nations-backed tribunal in 2016 voided China’s claim over the waterway for being illegal. Beijing has ignored the ruling.

United States Secretary of State Antony John Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III are set to meet with Mr. Manalo and Defense Secretary Gilberto Eduardo C. Teodoro, Jr. in Manila on July 30 to discuss maritime and security issues.

They are also set to pay Mr. Marcos a courtesy call at the presidential palace.

Their visit to Manila is part of their trip to Asia, where they seek to reassure allies and partners of US support, Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Kritenbrink said last week, as the November US presidential election casts uncertainty over US foreign policy.

“The Philippines will remain committed to the peaceful settlement of disputes, including through dialogue and consultation, and will honor the understanding on RORE (rotation and reprovisioning) missions,” Ms. Daza said, “We expect China will also adhere to the understanding as negotiated.”

The US stands by its “ironclad” commitments to defend the Philippines against an armed attack in the South China Sea, Mr. Blinken told Mr. Manalo during his visit to Manila in March.

He said defense ties with the Philippines were “extraordinary” and would only grow further, adding that Washington’s expanding alliances were not aimed at China.

In his third address to Congress on Monday, Mr. Marcos said the Philippines would continue to find ways to deescalate tensions in contested areas in the waterway “without compromising our position and our principles.”

“The Philippines cannot yield,” he said. “The Philippines cannot waver… The West Philippine Sea is ours,” he added, referring to areas of the South China within the country’s exclusive economic zone.

Congressman pushes changes to SIM card law as text scams continue

July 28, 2024 | 7:08 pm

mobile-phone — STOCK PHOTO | Image by Pongsawat Pasom from Unsplash

TEXT SCAMS continue to proliferate even after the enactment of a bill that mandates SIM (subscriber identity module) card registration, a congressmen said on Sunday.

Congress should strengthen the law, which has failed to curb online scams, Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace S. Barbers said in a statement.

“The law was intended to curb cybercriminal activities, to address issues related to trolling, hate speech and online disinformation,” he said. “But what we are seeing and witnessing today is that online scamming activities continue and remain unabated.”

Authorities had found stashes of unused SIM cards in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) raided by authorities, Mr. Barbers said.

“During the raids recently conducted by Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission agents in POGO facilities in Bamban and Porac towns in Pampanga, they recovered more than 50,000 unused SIM cards,” he pointed out.

“We all know too well that these POGO operators and workers won’t use them for good intentions,” he added.

Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. in his State of the Nation Address before Congress last week ordered a total ban on POGOs, citing their links to illegal activities including money laundering and financial scams.

He ordered the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) to wind down and end the operations of all POGO facilities by yearend. He also ordered the Labor department to find new jobs for POGO workers who will be displaced.

“We hear the loud cry of the people against POGOs,” Mr. Marcos said in his speech on July 22. “The grave abuse and disrespect to our system of laws must stop.”

The reputational risk from POGOs, which mostly involve Chinese nationals and cater to Chinese markets, could cost the government P55.36 billion in forgone investments due to crimes linked to them, and P29.01 billion in forgone revenues in tourism, the Finance department earlier said.

Mr. Barbers said crime syndicates buy prepaid SIM cards in bulk and have managed to bypass the registration system.

“To minimize or stop online scamming and illegal transactions that victimizes unsuspecting victims, we should amend and add more teeth to the SIM Card Law to put a stop and make obsolete those various scamming schemes,” he said.

He did not say exactly how the law should be strengthened.

Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian last month said POGOs have exploited regulatory failure to implement the 2022 law that mandated the registration of SIM cards.

The law is supposed to provide accountability for those using SIM cards and support law enforcement in tracking perpetrators of crimes committed through phones, he said. “Because the National Telecommunications Commission has apparently forgotten its responsibility, scammers in the POGO industry continue to use SIM cards unabatedly,” he added. — Kenneth Chistiane L. Basilio

Senate to discuss ROTC bill

July 28, 2024 | 7:06 pm

THE SENATE will tackle a proposal to revive mandatory military training for college students on July 29, a senator said on Sunday.

The bill, which human rights groups have opposed for promoting violence and militarism, “would change the landscape of Philippine society,” Senate Majority Floor Leader Francis N. Tolentino said in a statement.

He said it is crucial to maximize the Filipino youth as “untapped human resources” that could help communities during times of natural disasters.

The lawmaker said students under a revived Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) would have been able to help when Super Typhoon Carina inundated many parts of Luzon last week.

The senator earlier said the bill is not meant to prepare the country for war, but it is crucial to “national interest with or without the conflict in the West Philippine Sea,” he said, referring to the country’s sea dispute with China.

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

Mr. Tolentino said he is confident the bill would be passed, with most of his colleagues supporting it.

Senator Robin Ferdinand C. Padilla in a separate statement said Filipinos must be “ready for anything” including war, and bringing back military training for college students would prepare them for it.

Congress passed a bill in 2001 making ROTC optional after the death of Mark Welson Chua, whose death was linked to his exposé of irregularities in the ROTC.

He exposed corruption in the ROTC program to the University of Santo Tomas college newspaper. His body, wrapped in a carpet, was found decomposing in the Pasig River.

Human Rights groups have opposed the proposal, saying it could expose students to abuse and promote violence and militarism in schools.

Opposition Senator Ana Theresia N. Hontiveros-Baraquel has said the government should boost funding for military modernization especially of the Philippine Navy instead of reviving the ROTC.

Under the Senate bill approved by several committees, students with disabilities, conscientious objectors based on religion and convicts are exempted from military training.

ROTC grievance boards will be set up in schools to probe complaints of abuse, corruption and violence committed during military training. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

DoE website hacked

July 28, 2024 | 7:06 pm

THE DEPARTMENT of Energy (DoE) on Sunday said one of its websites has been hacked and defaced.

In a statement, the agency said its website for the Government Energy Management Program was hacked at around 6 p.m. on Saturday.

The Energy department took the system offline and was working with the National Computer Emergency Response Team (NCERT) and the system’s developer to address vulnerabilities.

NCERT is a division under the Cybersecurity Bureau of the Department of Information and Communications Technology that is responsible for receiving, reviewing and responding to computer security incident reports.

“While we are exerting all efforts to restore the website to full operation at the soonest possible time, we are also implementing our strategies to make our systems more resilient,” the DoE said. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera