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Filipina cybersecurity expert advocates for women’s awareness in combating technology abuse

In photo (left to right): Ermelita Valdeavilla of the Philippine Commission on Women; Foundation for Media Alternatives Executive Director Liza Garcia; DICT Undersecretary for ICT Industry Development Jocelle Batapa-Sigue; PNP Women and Children Protection Center Chief PBGen. Portia Manalad; Gogolook Philippines Country Head Mel Migriño; and Project Director of the 2025 BSKE-PMO Commission on Elections Michelle Frances during the discussion on technology-facilitated gender-based violence and women in politics

Gogolook Philippines Country Head Mel Migriño recently emphasized the critical role of education in combating gender-based violence through technology abuse.

Speaking at a forum organized by UN Women, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and the Australian Embassy, Ms. Migriño explained that awareness is essential for Filipinos as they navigate the online world, especially for those seeking public office.

“Educating Filipinos, especially female political candidates, about the risks associated with election campaigns — including election-related scams and deepfakes — is crucial,” Ms. Migriño said.

The event, titled “Disinformed, Disempowered, Disenfranchised: How Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence Keeps Women from Politics — And What We Can Do About It,” tackled the barriers women face online and how technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) challenges impact their participation in politics and leadership.

Ms. Migriño, who also serves as the chairperson and president of Women in Security Alliance Philippines (WiSAP) — a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering women in the cyber ecosystem — discussed various cyber threats affecting women.

“If I may share, the most common and rampant cyber threats today include scams and deepfakes, cyber harassment, online sexual assault, character impersonation, revenge porn — where an ex-partner shares intimate photos without consent — and cyberbullying,” she said.

The Gogolook PH Country Head further pointed out that these cyber threats can be mitigated with proper protection measures.

She took the opportunity to educate attendees about the growing threat of online scams and shared practical tips on how women can safeguard themselves from cyber threats while navigating the digital landscape.

“Be able to identify red flags that may lead to character attacks or harassment. Avoid engaging with online strangers or unverified identities. Research the profile of the person you are communicating with,” she explained.

“Be cautious of suspicious web domains and URLs — use web link scanners like VirusTotal (VT) or the Whoscall mobile app to assess risks and take necessary action. Most importantly, exercise your right to privacy,” she added.

Gogolook, a global leader in TrustTech, is the developer of Whoscall, a globally used anti-scam application. It has gained popularity in the Philippines for helping Filipinos stay safe while navigating the online world, where scams are rampant.

Ms. Migriño highlighted key features of the Whoscall App — Web Checker, Caller ID, and ID Security — as essential tools in helping women protect themselves against online threats.

Held at the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), an attached agency of the DICT in Taguig City, the event brought together notable female leaders, including Ermelita Valdeavilla of the Philippine Commission on Women; Foundation for Media Alternatives Executive Director Liza Garcia; DICT Undersecretary for ICT Industry Development Jocelle Batapa-Sigue; PNP Women and Children Protection Center Chief PBGen. Portia Manalad; and Project Director of the 2025 BSKE-PMO Commission on Elections, Michelle Frances.

More technological development

Answering a question from the moderator, Ms. Migriño emphasized that the role of tech companies, government agencies, and civil society in creating safer online spaces for women politicians is the continuous process of development.

“For tech companies, it’s about the continuous development of tools with algorithms that can detect and prevent harassment of women in digital spaces,” she said.

She further stressed the importance of government policies, saying, “Tech companies should align with policies set forth by the government as part of a comprehensive gender mainstreaming program. Additionally, they must ensure that the technology they develop is secure to prevent the infiltration of malicious code, which could compromise AI algorithms and distort analysis or inference.”

 

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Trump pauses all U.S. military aid to Ukraine after angry clash with Zelenskiy

Donald Trump and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy meet at Trump Tower in New York City, U.S., Sept. 27, 2024. — REUTERS

WASHINGTON – U.S. President Donald Trump has paused military aid to Ukraine following his clash with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy last week, a White House official said, deepening the fissure that has opened between the two one-time allies.

The move comes after Mr. Trump upended U.S. policy on Ukraine and Russia upon taking office in January, adopting a more conciliatory stance towards Moscow – and after an explosive confrontation with Mr. Zelenskiy at the White House on Friday in which Trump criticized him for being insufficiently grateful for Washington’s backing in the war with Russia.

“President Trump has been clear that he is focused on peace. We need our partners to be committed to that goal as well. We are pausing and reviewing our aid to ensure that it is contributing to a solution,” said the official on Monday, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

The White House had no immediate comment on the scope and amount of aid affected or how long the pause would last. The Pentagon could not provide further details.

Mr. Zelenskiy’s office did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment nor did the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington.

On Monday, Mr. Trump again said Mr. Zelenskiy should be more appreciative of American support after earlier responding angrily to an Associated Press report quoting Mr. Zelenskiy as saying the end of the war is “very, very far away.”

“This is the worst statement that could have been made by Zelenskyy, and America will not put up with it for much longer!” Mr. Trump wrote on Truth Social, using an alternative spelling of the Ukrainian leader’s name.

 

MINERALS DEAL NOT DEAD, SAYS TRUMP

Since Russia’s invasion three years ago, the U.S. Congress has approved $175 billion in total assistance for Ukraine, according to the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.

The Trump administration inherited $3.85 billion worth of Congressionally-approved authority to dip into U.S. arms stocks for Ukraine, but given the growing row between Washington and Kyiv, it was already unlikely for that assistance to be used.

Monday’s move goes beyond the no-new aid stance Mr. Trump had taken since assuming office – and appears to halt deliveries of military equipment approved by Biden including munitions, missiles and other systems.

But Mr. Trump also suggested on Monday that a deal to open up Ukraine’s minerals to U.S. investment could still be agreed despite his frustration with Kyiv, as European leaders floated proposals for a truce in Russia’s war with its neighbor.

The Trump administration views a minerals deal as America’s way of earning back some of the tens of billions of dollars it has given to Ukraine in financial and military aid since Russia invaded three years ago.

When asked on Monday if the deal was dead, Mr. Trump said at the White House: “No, I don’t think so.”

Mr. Trump described it as a “great deal for us” and said he would give an update on the situation on Tuesday night when he addresses a joint session of Congress.

 

SECURITY GUARANTEES

In an interview on Fox News, Vice President JD Vance called on Mr. Zelenskiy to accept the minerals deal.

“If you want real security guarantees, if you want to actually ensure that Vladimir Putin does not invade Ukraine again, the very best security guarantee is to give Americans economic upside in the future of Ukraine,” Mr. Vance said.

Mr. Zelenskiy has made clear that a ceasefire must carry explicit security guarantees from the West to ensure that Russia, which holds about 20% of its land, does not attack again. Mr. Trump has refused to give any such guarantees.

Beyond the military portion, U.S. assistance to Ukraine also includes budgetary assistance, largely delivered through a World Bank trust fund, and other funds that had been delivered through the U.S. Agency for International Development, which has been throttled by the Trump White House.

The U.S. decision left many questions unanswered, including whether munitions for the already delivered weapons systems can now be supplied or if the U.S. would still share intelligence with Ukraine on target identification and missile launches.

Key members of congressional oversight committees were not notified of the decision, including those on the Senate Armed Services Committee, a person with knowledge told Reuters.

Razom for Ukraine, a Ukrainian advocacy group, condemned the White House’s decision on aid. “By abruptly halting military assistance to Ukraine, President Trump is hanging Ukrainians out to dry and giving Russia the green light to keep marching west,” the group said in a statement.

 

EUROPE SEEKS PEACE PLAN

Prior to the White House’s decision to halt its aid, European nations were rallying around Mr. Zelenskiy and trying to hatch a peace plan.

Privately, and sometimes publicly, officials are fuming at what they see as a betrayal of Ukraine, which had enjoyed staunch support from Washington since Russia’s invasion.

France, Britain and potentially other European countries have offered to send troops to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire – something Moscow has already rejected – but say they would want support from the U.S., or a “backstop.”

“There are clearly a number of options on the table,” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s spokesman said. – Reuters

Australia’s gender pay gap improves slightly, but women still paid 18.6% less

KATEMANGOSTAR/FREEPIK

SYDNEY – Australia’s gender pay gap has narrowed slightly but women are still paid nearly a fifth less than men, with the finance, mining and construction industries showing the biggest differences, a government report found.

The Workplace Gender Equality Agency survey also showed that 72.2% of employers had a gap favoring men while 21.3% had a gap within the target range of +/-5%. The rest had a gap that favored women.

The median pay gap for the year to March 2024 was 18.6% in favor of men, compared with 19% in the previous year. Some 56% of companies reduced their pay gaps.

“Where an employer’s gender pay gap is beyond the target range of +/-5%, it indicates one gender is more likely to be over-represented in higher paying roles compared to the other,” the agency’s Chief Executive Mary Wooldridge said.

Large listed companies with big pay gaps in favor of men included the country’s top investment bank Macquarie Group MQG.AX with a gap of 41.8% and gas producer Woodside WDS.AX with a gap of 25.6%. Woodside showed an improvement from 30.2% a year earlier while data was not collated for Macquarie previously.

The large gaps remain despite both companies having female chief executives.

Asked about the gap, Macquarie CEO Shemara Wikramanayake said the firm did not want to push female employees into senior roles before they were ready.

“It’s going to take as long as it’s going to take,” she told the Australian Financial Review Business Summit on Tuesday.

“We’re not going to force females into senior roles. I think that would be counterproductive.”

Woodside CEO Meg O’Neill said the firm’s hiring had been gender balanced for several years.

“The size of the workforce is so large… it’s going to take time for those women to get into the workforce, to work their way up to positions of greater seniority,” she told the same conference.

Thomson Reuters (Professional) Australia, the local subsidiary of Reuters’ parent company Thomson Reuters TRI.TO, reported a median pay gap of 25% in favor of men, a 3.5 percentage point improvement on the previous year.

A spokesperson for Thomson Reuters said the gap was a result of greater gender imbalance at both the lower and senior levels of the company.

Australia passed legislation mandating the reporting of gender pay gaps for companies with more than 100 employees in 2023, following other countries including the United Kingdom that have mandatory reporting. – Reuters

Canada’s retaliatory tariffs on US goods to start Tuesday, PM Trudeau says

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau — UNITED NATIONS/MARK GARTEN

OTTAWA – Canada will impose 25% tariffs on C$155 billion ($107 billion) worth of U.S. goods from Tuesday if U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration follows through with its proposed tariffs on Canadian goods, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Monday.

Canada will slap 25% tariffs on C$30 billion worth of U.S. goods from Tuesday, while tariffs on the remaining C$125 billion of products will come into effect in 21 days, Mr. Trudeau said in a statement.

“Our tariffs will remain in place until the U.S. trade action is withdrawn, and should U.S. tariffs not cease, we are in active and ongoing discussions with provinces and territories to pursue several non-tariff measures,” Mr. Trudeau added.

Philippines’ LGBTQ+ groups seek options to US aid

CHANDLERVID85-FREEPIK

MANILA (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – LoveYourself, a Philippines-based group providing free HIV testing and treatment services, was receiving aid from the United States like innumerable groups promoting health and LGBTQ+ rights around the world.

But unlike so many of those organizations that were forced to close clinics when U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 90-day freeze on all foreign assistance on January 20, LoveYourself kept 40 of its staff members affected by the freeze, and its doors stayed open.

The group’s founder, Dr. Ronivin Pagtakhan, credited its self-sustaining model and government partnerships.

“We were preparing for these kinds of circumstances,” Pagtakhan told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. “All the basic programs that we have are still for free.”

With the resilience of LoveYourself as a model, similar groups in the archipelago nation are looking at new financing strategies and sources of funding.

They are calling for greater involvement by local health institutions to protect advocacy groups that are vulnerable to foreign aid withdrawals.

Ten of LoveYourself’s partner clinics for HIV testing and treatment had to close down because they were fully reliant on the support of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

Trump’s decision to first freeze and then terminate 90% of foreign aid programs included the supply of drugs for HIV treatment and transmission prevention services in low-income countries, leaving LGBTQ+ organizations and advocates particularly concerned.

 

HEAVILY RELIANT ON FOREIGN AID

While all 22 LoveYourself clinics remain open, Pagtakhan said suspension of USAID funding affected free deliveries of about 8,000 free HIV testing kits and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PREP) every month to clients all over the country. The kits now must be picked up at the clinics.

The Philippines is facing one of the world’s fastest-growing HIV epidemics, with a staggering 543% increase in new HIV infections between 2010 and 2023, according to the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).

Globally, new HIV infections declined by 39% during the same period.

The Philippine HIV epidemic is driven largely through sexual transmission among men who have sex with men and transgender women, according to government data. Statistics also show that late diagnosis and treatment persist in the Philippines.

USAID, through a program called the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, has contributed more than $34.7 million to support the Philippines’ HIV response since 2020.

In 2024, USAID also approved an obligation of $6.68 million for HIV epidemic control in the Philippines.

In addition, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, an international financing organization that had the U.S. government as its single largest donor, has donated about $50 million to the Philippines’ HIV response since 2020.

 

‘SO SUDDEN’

The U.S. also funded new initiatives by LGBTQ+ groups such as Transmasculine Philippines, an education and peer-support network.

The group’s founder, Mattias Alea, said he wanted to provide opportunities for trans Filipinos to meet and gain skills to handle employment, health and legal challenges.

Last year, it received a year-long funding from USAID to build Tanggap Trans Hub, the first community center for trans Filipinos that serves as a low-cost venue for small LGBTQ+ groups and startups.

The USAID stop work order came just two months after the hub was launched in November, halting at least 20 events that included workshops on employment equity, medical transitioning and the legal rights of LGBTQ+ couples.

“It was just so sudden,” Alea said.

“We had to close the center and not incur more costs” just as the community was learning about its existence, he said, adding that he still hadn’t heard if it was a temporary suspension or permanent termination.

Alea said the new goal is to reopen the Trans Hub by acquiring funding from countries in the Asia and Pacific region or in Europe.

The group is also trying to raise funds through benefit concerts and book fairs launched by Filipino artists.

 

GOVERNMENT SUPPORT

The Philippine government is seeking to identify sources of domestic financing to address the projected funding gap in HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis programs, the Department of Health said in a statement in early February.

It said it planned to mobilize reimbursements by the national health insurance program known as PhilHealth and secure grants, loans and investments from local governments and the private sector.

“It is clear that governments including ours must recognize our own priorities and take more responsibility for financing, … lessening our dependence on international funding cycles and external decisions and protocols,” Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said in the statement.

The Department of Health noted the decline in foreign fund allocations may pose significant challenges in buying essential commodities such as antiretroviral therapy.

The department did not say how much money has been allocated for HIV programs this year and how much will be covered by foreign aid.

It said “the delivery of health services by DOH and the expansion of PhilHealth benefit packages continues unimpeded.”

Alea added that the USAID suspension could be a chance to rethink how advocacy groups and the government can work together to deliver life-saving services.

“In a perfect world, we wouldn’t need to depend on international funding,” he said. – Reuters

Goldman CEO: Bank dropped diversity, inclusion mention as ‘we have to communicate differently’

SYDNEY – Goldman Sachs dropped a section dedicated to “diversity and inclusion” from its annual filing to comply with U.S. law but continues to believe that “diverse talent and meritocracy are not mutually exclusive”, its CEO told a conference in Australia.

“With some of the changes given (with) the executive orders, and law, we have to communicate differently around these things,” the bank’s CEO David Solomon told the Australian Financial Review Business Summit.

“But that doesn’t stop us from our mission to have the most extraordinary talent to serve our clients.” – Reuters

Trump locks in Canada, Mexico tariffs to launch on Tuesday; stocks tumble

WASHINGTON – U.S. President Donald Trump said 25% tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada will take effect from Tuesday, stoking fears of a trade war in North America and sending financial markets reeling.

Mr. Trump’s comments made on Monday sent U.S. stocks down sharply in late afternoon trading. The Mexican peso and Canadian dollar both fell following his remarks.

“They’re going to have to have a tariff. So what they have to do is build their car plants, frankly, and other things in the United States, in which case they have no tariffs,” Trump said at the White House.

He said there was “no room left” for a deal that would avert the tariffs by curbing fentanyl flows into the United States.

Mr. Trump also reaffirmed that he will increase tariffs on all Chinese imports to 20% from the previous 10% levy to punish Beijing for failing to halt shipments of fentanyl to the U.S.

The president said in an order that China “has not taken adequate steps to alleviate the illicit drug crisis.”

CEOs and economists say Mr. Trump’s tariffs on Canada and Mexico, covering more than $900 billion worth of annual U.S. imports, will deal a serious setback to the highly integrated North American economy.

The tariffs are scheduled to take effect at 12:01 a.m. EST (0501 GMT) on Tuesday, the Trump administration confirmed in Federal Register notices. At that point, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency will begin collecting 25% on Canadian and Mexican goods, with a 10% duty for Canadian energy.

Mexico’s economy ministry said that there would be no public response until President Claudia Sheinbaum’s regular morning press conference on Tuesday. She has vowed to respond, saying: “We have a plan B, C, D.”

Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly told reporters that Ottawa was ready to respond, but offered no specifics.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford told NBC that the U.S. tariffs and Canada’s retaliation would be “an absolute disaster” for both countries.

“I don’t want to respond but we will respond like they’ve never seen before,” Mr. Ford said, adding that Michigan auto plants would likely shut down within a week and that he would halt nickel shipments and cross-border transmission of electricity from Ontario to the U.S.

“I’m going after absolutely everything,” Mr. Ford said.

China’s commerce ministry on Tuesday vowed countermeasures against Washington’s decision and urged the U.S. to “immediately withdraw” its tariffs, which it described as “unreasonable and groundless, harmful to others.”

The state-backed Global Times newspaper earlier said Beijing’s countermeasures would most likely target U.S. agricultural and food products.

 

MARKET SWOONS

The Dow Jones Industrial Average .DJI fell 649.67 points, or 1.48%, the S&P 500 .SPX lost 104.78 points, or 1.76%, and the Nasdaq Composite .IXIC dropped 497.09 points, or 2.64%.

Automaker shares fell sharply, with General Motors, GM.N which has significant truck production in Mexico, down 4% and Ford F.N falling 1.7%.

Gustavo Flores-Macias, a public policy professor at Cornell University, said consumers could see price hikes within days.

“The automobile sector, in particular, is likely to see considerable negative consequences, not only because of the disruption of the supply chains that crisscross the three countries in the manufacturing process, but also because of the expected increase in the price of vehicles, which can dampen demand,” Flores-Macias said.

 

MEXICO’S RESPONSE

Mexico, after avoiding the first round of Mr. Trump’s tariffs by striking a last-minute deal to send thousands of troops to its northern border, has stepped up anti-drug efforts and hinted at new measures on imported Chinese goods.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 72,776 people died from synthetic opioids in 2023 in the U.S., chiefly from fentanyl.

Representative Suzan DelBene, a Democrat from the state of Washington, said the decision to proceed with tariffs on Canada and Mexico would cost American families thousands of dollars at the grocery store, gas station and pharmacy counter.

“No president should be able to raise taxes without a vote in Congress,” she said in a statement.

White House trade adviser Peter Navarro, however, said on Monday that the inflationary impact from any tariffs would be “second-order small” and that he did not expect the president to waver on the measures.

“This is the path that he’s chosen,” Mr. Navarro told CNBC.

Mr. Trump on Saturday added another trade action to a cascade of tariff announcements over the past month, opening a national security investigation into imports of lumber and wood products that could result in steep tariffs. Canada, already facing 14.5% U.S. tariffs on softwood lumber, would be hit particularly hard.

During the prior week, Mr. Trump ordered the revival of a tariff probe on countries that levy digital services taxes, proposed fees of up to $1.5 million every time a Chinese-built ship enters a U.S. port and launched a new tariff investigation into copper imports.

These come on top of his plans for higher U.S. “reciprocal tariffs” to match tariff rates of other countries and offset their other trade barriers, a move that could hit the European Union hard over the value added taxes member states charge.

But Mr. Trump’s “tariffs on steroids” may keep inflation higher and could tip the global economy into recession, warned Desmond Lachman, a senior fellow at the conservative American Enterprise Institute. – Reuters

Philippines to scrutinize donations by suspected Chinese spies

REUTERS

MANILA – The Philippine government will look into cash and other donations made by Chinese Communist Party-affiliated groups led by four Chinese nationals accused of espionage to determine if they were done in good faith, an official said on Monday.

Reuters reported last week that four Chinese nationals arrested by Philippine law enforcers in January on suspicion of espionage led civic groups overseen by the Chinese Communist Party’s foreign influence network.

The groups donated P500,000 ($8,600) labelled as a “poverty alleviation bursary” to the mayor of Tarlac city, plus 10 motorbikes to Manila’s police and 10 patrol vehicles to Tarlac’s police and authorities, according to photos, videos and online posts.

“There is nothing wrong with accepting donations if they are done in good faith. However, if these donations were given with ulterior motives, then we need to investigate,” Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro told a media briefing.

“We should also identify the local government officials who received them to ensure this does not happen again, especially if they were being used or unknowingly being used.”

China’s foreign ministry, in a statement to Reuters, said China required its citizens to abide by local laws and that civic groups spontaneously set up by citizens were not affiliated with the Beijing government.

The Philippines has arrested at least eight suspected Chinese spies in recent weeks, including the four, adding to frictions between the two nations who have had a series of run-ins over disputed parts of the South China Sea.

The Philippines does not have a specific foreign interference law but is drafting one. Government agencies are permitted to receive donations but contributions from foreign authorities must be approved by the president, according to guidelines. — Reuters

Alden Richards, Enchong Dee, Gretchen Ho and other celebrities joined vivo V50 Grand Launch

The vivo V50 Grand Launch brought high energy to the Maybank Performing Arts Theater last Feb. 27, 2025.

Brand ambassador Alden Richards and celebrities Enchong Dee, Gretchen Ho, Nicole Cordoves, and BJ Pascual turned heads as they arrived in red ensembles, embracing the vibrant spirit of the vivo V50 in all its Ancora Red glory.

The newest vivo flagship smartphone has been stealing the spotlight on social media after vivo teased its sleek product images. The highlight? This device isn’t just all about style — it’s a powerhouse! Its bold colorway and elegant design complement cutting-edge features, enhancing the smartphone experience for users.

Featuring 50MP ZEISS All Main Camera, the vivo V50 is designed to deliver exceptionally sharp and detailed portraits with professional-grade clarity. Its versatile 23mm, 35mm, and 50mm focal lengths provide a range of creative compositions, making every shot seamless and precise.

Setting the stage with expertise and power

From left to right: vivo Philippines’ Director of Brand Marketing Liu Lu, vivo Global’s Product Manager for Camera Keshav Chugh, ZEISS’ Brand Partnerships Manager Franziska Hoffmann, vivo Philippines’ Vice-President of Channel Sales Hazel Bascon, and Event Host KC Montero

KC Montero pumped up the crowd as the night’s host, kicking off the event on a high note as he introduced the innovative minds behind the vivo V50.

Keshav Chugh, vivo Global’s Product Manager for Camera, highlighted the vivo V50’s advanced imaging capabilities, showcasing its trio of 50MP ZEISS OIS Main Camera, 50MP ZEISS Ultra Wide-Angle Camera, and another 50MP ZEISS Ultra Wide-Angle Camera — engineered to enhance portrait photography with stunning clarity and precision.

Franziska Hoffmann, ZEISS’ Brand Partnerships Manager, revealed that ZEISS had carefully assessed more than 20 quality parameters to guarantee every shot taken with the vivo V50 would be nothing short of stunning, reaffirming vivo and ZEISS’s commitment to co-engineering world-class mobile imaging technology.

A mix of beauty and fashion

Nicole Cordoves for vivo V50 Product Presentation

Beauty Queen Nicole Cordoves unveiled the vivo V50’s impressive performance, proving that its powerful 6000mAh battery is built to match the unstoppable energy of a true multi-hyphenate queen like herself.

Q&A with Nicole Cordoves and BJ Pascual

Nicole’s segment flowed into an exciting Q&A with Celebrity Photographer and vivo V50 ambassador BJ Pascual, where they chatted about his love for the vivo V50’s camera — a lighthearted moment that brought smiles and laughter to the crowd!

Pick your winning team

The fun reached new heights as lucky guests teamed up with Enchong Dee, Alden Richards, and Gretchen Ho for an exciting lineup of games, including Pinoy Henyo and Lip Reading.

Laughter echoed through the venue as the game segment took an exciting turn, bringing out the competitive spirit in the most entertaining way!

A masterpiece in trendy colorways

Guests had the opportunity to explore the vivo V50 up close during its unveiling. Many were quick to test its advanced camera system and appreciate its stylish colorways: Ancora Red, Mist Purple, and Satin Black.

If you missed the event, check out vivo Facebook page for the replay.

Pre-order for the vivo V50 is until March 14, with an exclusive discount of Php 2,000. Starting at Php 27,999, the vivo V50 will be available for claiming from March 15 to March 31, with a free vivo TWS 3e (worth Php 1,999) and a vivo VIP card included.

Visit your nearest vivo store or shop online via the vivo website, Shopee, and Lazada to secure your own vivo V50!

 

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Manufacturing growth slows in Feb.

Workers are seen inside a manufacturing facility in Sto. Tomas, Batangas, March 1, 2023. — PHILIPPINE STAR/KJ ROSALES

By Aubrey Rose A. Inosante, Reporter

PHILIPPINE MANUFACTURING activity in February expanded at its slowest pace in 11 months amid softer growth in orders and output, data from S&P Global showed.   

The S&P Global Philippines Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) stood at 51 in February, easing from the 52.3 in January.

This was the lowest PMI reading in 11 months or since the 50.9 reading in March 2024. February also marked the second straight month of slowing growth.

Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) of select ASEAN economies, February 2025A PMI reading above 50 denotes better operating conditions than in the preceding month, while a reading below 50 shows a deterioration.

“Robust growth observed from the end of the previous year into the beginning of this year waned in February, as the latest survey data indicated slower expansions in output and new orders,” Maryam Baluch, economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence, said in a statement on Monday.

The Philippines posted the second-fastest PMI reading among six Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries, after Indonesia (53.6) and ahead of Thailand (50.6).

Malaysia (49.7), Vietnam (49.2), and Myanmar (48.5) all posted a contraction in factory activity in February.

In its report, S&P Global said the manufacturing conditions in the Philippines continued to improve in February, although this was the “least marked in nearly a year.”

“However, underlying data showed a mixed picture, with the sector showing a slight cooldown as growth in new orders and output moderated on the month, leading to a softer increase in purchasing activity,” it said.

S&P Global said growth in new orders moderated in February after the robust increase seen in the fourth quarter of 2024. New factory orders rose at the slowest pace in seven months, while growth in new export orders was subdued.

Production growth also moderated in February, with output growth at the weakest since July 2024.

As demand cooled, manufacturers tempered their purchasing activity. February saw the slowest expansion in the last 15 months.

S&P Global noted manufacturing firms reported a fresh rise in backlog of work for the first time in five months.

“Although the rate of accumulation in work-in-hand was modest, it was the most pronounced seen in nearly two years. Consequently, companies utilized their inventories to meet order requirements and thereby reduced their input stock holdings, signifying the first decrease in three months,” it said.

Ms. Baluch noted that employment levels went up for the first time in three months, “with companies challenged to meet sustained demand improvements.”

S&P Global said price pressures further eased in February.

“Although material shortages and transportation costs continued to drive up input prices, the rate of increase was the slowest in the current nine-month sequence of inflation,” it said.

Output prices for Philippine-made goods inched up at the softest pace in 10 months, it added.

“Inflationary pressures eased, thus suggesting that the central bank will continue to proceed with a loosening of its monetary policy. This could in turn boost somewhat weakened business confidence and support further new order growth,” Ms. Baluch said.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) left the benchmark rate unchanged at 5.75% at its Feb. 13 meeting. BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. has said the central bank is still in its easing cycle and signaled the possibility of up to 50 basis points worth of reductions this year.

The Monetary Board’s next rate-setting meeting is on April 3.

S&P said manufacturers maintained a positive outlook for production in the coming year, but the degree of confidence fell to a 10-month low.

In an e-mail, Pantheon Macroeconomics Chief Emerging Asia Economist Miguel Chanco said the Philippines was the only country in ASEAN that “suffered a loss in momentum” in February.

“[The Philippines] PMI softened for a second straight month to an 11-month low of 51.0, now a far cry from its recent high of 54.3 in December,” he said.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said the PMI reading reflects the slowdown in demand after the holiday season.

“Furthermore, uncertainties on Trump’s higher US import tariffs and other protectionist policies since his inauguration also a drag on global investments and international trade, including those in the Philippines,” he said.

“However, offsetting positive factor would be election-related spending, the May 12, 2025 midterm elections that could lead to increased spending by the government for various projects, especially infrastructure and other programs before the election ban,” Mr. Ricafort added.

Peso may sink to P62-per-dollar level this year

PHILIPPINE STAR/MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

THE PHILIPPINE PESO could sink to as low as P62 per dollar this year as a dovish central bank and increased liquidity in the financial system weigh on the currency, Bank of America (BofA) Global Research said.

“We believe policy desire for easier financial conditions remains a negative for the peso,” it said in a report.

BofA forecasts the local unit to hit P61 against the greenback in the first quarter, and to fall to P62 in the second and third quarters.

It said the peso could return to P61-per-dollar mark in the fourth quarter.

“Despite the decision to hold rates, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) maintained a dovish guidance with possibility of further rate cuts this year and followed that guidance recently with large liquidity injections through the reserve requirement ratio (RRR) cut,” BofA said.

The central bank’s easing trajectory will be “bearish” for the peso, it added.

While the BSP unexpectedly kept interest rates steady at its rate-setting meeting last month, BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. has said the central bank is still in its easing cycle.

He signaled the possibility of up to 50 basis points (bps) worth of cuts this year, though not necessarily at every meeting or every quarter.

BofA noted the recent liquidity injection arising from the RRR cut could also influence the peso’s performance.

The BSP last month announced it will slash big banks’ RRR by 200 bps to 5% from the current 7%, effective March 28.

Digital banks’ RRR will also be reduced by 150 bps to 2.5% and thrift lenders by 100 bps to 0%.

Analysts have estimated that between P300 billion to nearly P400 billion in liquidity could be infused into the financial system following the RRR cut.

The country’s wider current account (CA) deficit could also impact the currency, BofA said.

“The other factor driving US dollar demand has been the widening CA deficit seen over the last year which leaves a funding gap.”

Earlier data from the BSP showed the current account deficit stood at $12.9 billion in the first nine months, equivalent to 3.9% of gross domestic product (GDP).

“However, a more defensive stance from BSP supported the peso as the funding gap was met with a drawdown of reserves. Historically, BSP’s worries about weaker FX (foreign exchange) have been more tied to the inflation pass-through. But low inflation currently and lower imported prices would mean that persistent smoothing is unwarranted,” it added.

The peso closed at P57.90 per dollar on Monday, strengthening by 9.5 centavos from its P57.995 finish on Friday.

The peso hit the all-time low P59-per-dollar level thrice last year amid the dollar surge. It has yet to breach this record low.

However, BofA said the peso weakness will be “partly offset by BSP’s defensive smoothing flows and lower oil prices.”

The BSP has said it intervenes in modest amounts to curb speculation and keep markets orderly.

“We recommend hedging the peso, as hedging costs remain low, and we expect the peso to trade weaker due to US dollar strength and dovish BSP,” it added. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson

Proposed local online gambling ban to hurt NG revenues — analysts

REUTERS

By Revin Mikhael D. Ochave, Reporter

THE PROPOSED BAN on Philippine inland gaming operators (PIGOs) may hurt National Government (NG) revenues as well as stocks of listed gaming-related companies, analysts said.

Unicapital Securities Equity Research Analyst Jeri R. Alfonso said the government is unlikely to shut down local online gambling operations which generate significant revenues.

“Shutting down online gambling entirely would deal a heavy blow to government funds. In our view, a full-on ban is unlikely,” she said in a Viber message.

Senate President Francis G. Escudero has called for a review of PIGOs, also known as local e-gambling businesses, saying that these are also as harmful as Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).

Mr. Escudero suggested a ban on PIGOs if these are determined to negatively affect the lives of Filipinos. The Philippine government issued a total ban on POGOs last year.

“The gaming industry is a revenue provider for the government, with Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) ranking as the third-biggest revenue source after the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau of Customs,” Ms. Alfonso said.

Last year, PAGCOR remitted P4.59 billion in cash dividends to the Bureau of the Treasury. It represented 75% of its net income in 2023.

“Banning local online gaming will unduly deprive the government of billions of pesos in much-needed revenues. The PAGCOR already has a suitable regulatory framework for the industry to make sure we have a viable gaming sector that meets sizable market demand and contributes significantly to the government’s social programs,” China Bank Capital Corp. Managing Director Juan Paolo E. Colet said in a Viber message.

Mr. Colet also said a ban on online gambling could drive Filipinos to use unregulated platforms.

“A ban might have the unintended effect of pushing many participants into a black market, which would be worse for everyone. The better approach is to regulate, not eliminate,” he said.

Gaming-related companies listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) closed in the red on Monday.

Shares of Tanco-led digital entertainment company DigiPlus Interactive Corp. dropped by 3.31% or P1.15 to P33.6 apiece, while stocks of gaming technology provider DFNN, Inc. fell by 10.71% or 27 centavos to P2.25 per share.

“With the hanging uncertainty around this issue, we do expect gaming stocks to face volatility in the near term. Given the sector’s sensitivity to regulatory risks, investors must remain cautious on trading the stocks in the gaming sector,” Ms. Alfonso said.

“Rather than a full ban, we think the government will implement stricter policies instead, and not a complete ban. Besides this, thousands of Filipino workers will be displaced once this pushes through,” she added.

Mr. Colet said the ban could be a boon for land-based casinos as they could see more players.

“To a limited extent, (the ban is) potentially good for purely land-based casinos who might see a pickup in foot traffic,” he said

“That said, an outright ban creates regulatory uncertainty around the entire gaming sector because that means there is nothing that would stop the government from banning all forms of gambling altogether,” he added.

On Monday, shares of Bloomberry Resorts Corp., which operates integrated casino-resort Solaire, rose by 5.64% or 18 centavos to P3.37 each.

Meanwhile, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said the proposed ban requires a “balancing act” by legislators.

“This is a delicate balancing act in view of traditional and online versions, which would require consistency in the application of legislation,” he said in a Viber message.

“The traditional version could be controlled better by authorities compared to the online version, given the potential adverse effects on society by both on different levels,” he added.

PAGCOR is eyeing to generate up to P480 billion in gross gaming revenue (GGR) this year, mainly driven by the electronic games segment. It recorded P410.5 billion in GGR for 2024, up by 24.8% from P328.88 billion in 2023.

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