Globe fully supports the call for a Senate investigation into the illegal trade of devices used for spoofing or SMS hijacking, a fraud scheme behind the proliferation of scam texts that evade telco networks. Sen. Mark Villar recently filed a resolution seeking a senate inquiry on the trade of International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) catchers, which allow fraudsters to send out malicious SMS in the guise of legitimate sender IDs. These portable devices serve as fake cell towers that enable SMS sending outside telco networks, thus evading spam filters. Globe has been working with government agencies to curb spoofing by cutting off the supply of IMSI catchers in the country. These devices are imported into the country either in full or in parts for assembly, then used for illegal activities. “Spoofing or SMS hijacking using IMSI catchers has been a major headache for both the industry and law enforcement. Spoofed messages are difficult to track because of the technology. We have high hopes that through this Senate probe, we’d be able to address the root of the problem: the illegal trade of IMSI catchers in the country,” said Atty. Froilan Castelo, Globe’s General Counsel. “This is a major step in our shared goal of protecting the public from fraud. Through this legislative inquiry, we hope to find a clear path forward in the fight against IMSI catchers,” said Castelo. Globe stands ready to provide technical expertise and support to the Senate panel as needed. Fraudsters have used IMSI catchers to impersonate Globe’s official sender ID, duping customers with fake Globe Rewards claims and other unauthorized messages. Such spoofed messages have seen a rise as Globe enforced stricter spam and scam blocking, filtering out all person-to-person SMS with links and enforcing stringent regulations on app-to-person SMS with URLs. Globe’s pioneering move to remove links in SMS messages shows the company will go the extra mile to make it a scam-free network and protect customers. Unfortunately the new method of scammers such as using IMSI catchers goes directly to the device and does not pass through the network anymore.  Currently, Globe is looking at more advanced technologies that might help address this issue. Globe reminds the public to stay vigilant against suspicious text messages, including those that seem to come from legitimate sources. Be cautious of links and offers that seem too good to be true. As a security measure and to protect customers, Globe does not include clickable links in its official text advisories.            

Brighter days are coming to Last Mile Schools in Sarangani as the Macaulay Club, comprised of Sun Life’s top-performing financial advisors, collaborates with Solar Village Foundation to tackle education challenges caused by lack of access to electricity. In a ceremony organized by Sun Life Financial-Philippines Foundation, Inc. (Sun Life Foundation), the Macaulay Club turned over a P4.5 million grant to the Solar Village Foundation. This will fund the installation of solar-powered lighting and printing systems, and the provision of solar lanterns to teachers in 13 Last Mile Schools. These are schools located in remote areas facing various resource challenges including lack of electricity, scarce educational materials, makeshift classrooms, and limited teaching staff. They also typically serve marginalized communities, such as indigenous peoples. The joint project aims to improve learning conditions for students and enhance the safety and comfort of teachers, who not only reside in dark quarters, but also travel on foot for hours over dangerous terrain. Gracing the ceremony were Sun Life Philippines CEO & Country Head and Sun Life Foundation Chairman Benedict Sison, Sun Life Foundation President Alex Narciso, Sun Life Philippines Chief Distribution Officer Al Quitangon, Macaulay Club President Owdylyn Lee, Solar Village Foundation Chairman Jimmy Ayala, and Solar Village Foundation Trustee Carla Villacorta. “This grant from the Macaulay Club is our top financial advisors’ way of giving back and contributing to building a brighter future for our fellow Filipinos,” said Al Quitangon, Sun Life Philippines Chief Distribution Officer. “Sun Life has a long and rich history in the Philippines, having been operating here for almost 130 years.” “We at the Sun Life Foundation believe that brighter schools make for brighter futures, which is why we are very happy to support this project,” said Kristine Millete, Executive Director of the Sun Life Foundation. “We thank the Macaulay Club and Solar Village Foundation for their work for the children and teachers of Sarangani.” As the philanthropic arm of Sun Life Philippines, the country’s first and longest-standing insurance company, the Sun Life Foundation is committed to nurturing the learning of Filipino children by supporting various education initiatives across the country.        

The push to transform government services through digitalization, led by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, is now just one step away from Senate approval after passing the Second Reading on Tuesday, January 21. During the plenary session, Cayetano, the bill’s sponsor, introduced his amendments to Senate Bill No. 2781, also known as the proposed “E-Governance Act,” along with the changes proposed by Minority Leader Senator Aquilino Pimentel III and Senator Sherwin Gatchalian. This development came less than a week after the bill passed the interpellation stage. The proposed E-Governance Act aims to streamline government processes and make them more transparent by institutionalizing a national framework for a unified digital government system. This framework, to be spearheaded by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), will guide agencies on the technical and informational standards they need to adopt for seamless digital integration. The framework will be based on a comprehensive master plan, which will be updated every three years to keep up with rapid technological advancements. At the heart of the plan is a secure network called the “Integrated Government Network” (IGN), which will connect all government websites and applications and allow different agencies to share data more efficiently. For ordinary Filipinos, these changes mean a smoother experience: no more long lines or switching between multiple apps to access government services. Cayetano, who chairs the Committee on Science and Technology, had earlier emphasized the importance of leveraging technology for nation-building. “It is not per se the solution to all of our problems, but it is a tool that, if used effectively and assigned properly to various agencies, can address many of our challenges today,” he said during last week’s plenary debate on the bill. He highlighted the lack of interoperability as one of the main issues with existing government digital platforms, a problem the E-Governance Act aims to solve. “This bill is actually a product of the experience of the DICT in the last few years. This is to emphasize and articulate what they need,” he said. The bill has received support from other senators, including Minority Floor Leader Pimentel, who thanked Cayetano for championing the proposal. “The times have changed. Talagang very critical na po itong DICT,” Pimentel said. The bill is now set to be approved on Third and Final Reading in upcoming sessions        

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has revoked the corporate registration of Farm to Market (F2M) Agri-Farm OPC for soliciting investments from the public without the necessary license from the Commission. In an order dated October 9, 2024, the SEC Enforcement and Investor Protection Department (EIPD) revoked F2M Agri-Farm OPC’s certificate of incorporation for violating Section 44 of Republic Act (RA) No. 11232, or the Revised Corporation Code (RCC), Sections 8.1, 26.1 and 28.1 of RA No. 8799, or the Securities Regulation Code (SRC), and Section 11 of RA No. 11765, or the Financial Products and Service Consumer Protection Act. The RCC prohibits corporations from possessing or exercising powers beyond those conferred by law and provided under the articles of incorporation. The SRC, on the other hand, prohibits the selling or offering of securities without a registration statement duly filed with and approved by the Commission, and requires people engaged in the business of buying and selling securities to be registered with the SEC. Accordingly, F2M Agri-Farm OPC was ordered to pay an administrative fine of P1 million, while its incorporator and nominee were directed to pay the same amount. The EIPD found F2M Agri-Farm OPC and its related entities, namely F2M Tarlac City-Main Branch, F2M, F2M Paalaga System, Hog Raising Business, F2M Tuguegarao Branch, F2M Dagupan, F2M La Union Branch, F2M Lagawe, Ifugao, F2M-Solano Nueva Viz. Branch and F2M Tayug, to be offering investments in the nature of an investment contract without the necessary registration and approval from the SEC through the F2M 3 Months Paalaga System. Under the Paalaga System, F2M and its related entities enticed the public to buy one piglet for P5,000 with a promised return of P7,600 after three months, representing a 30% return on investment less 5% service charge, as advertised on their social media page. If an investor buys 20 piglets for P100,000, the investor is expected to receive P152,000 return after three months. The related entities of F2M Agri-Farm OPC are not registered as corporations or partnerships with the SEC and do not have the secondary license to solicit investments or offer securities. The company’s illegal solicitation of investments also constitutes fraud due to its similarity to a Ponzi scheme, where profits or payouts are taken from incoming investors or additional pay-ins of existing member-investors as it does not have any underlying legitimate business to source the returns. As early as April 16, 2024, the SEC has already issued an advisory against the company and its related entities. The Commission subsequently issued a cease and desist order against F2M Agri-Farm OPC on August 20, 2024 to stop the company and its related entities from soliciting investments.

  Globe recently showcased its innovative, technology-driven disaster resilience strategies and its commitment to mitigating climate risks on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) 2024. In a timely event mounted alongside the Ayala Group, Globe outlined the company’s holistic approach to disaster risk reduction (DRR), encompassing advanced technology solutions, robust infrastructure, and community-centered response measures. “Reliable infrastructure is crucial in ensuring reduced downtime services during disasters. Globe constructs and retrofits towers to withstand extreme weather, factoring in risks such as flooding, earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions. Backup power sources have also been installed to reduce network interruptions and ensure continuity,” Yoly Crisanto, Globe’s Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer. In partnership with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), Globe plays a vital role in disseminating geo-tagged disaster alerts, as required by Republic Act 10639, or “The Free Mobile Disasters Alert Act.” Beyond prevention, the mobile leader has established swift response mechanisms to support affected communities, including pre-positioning resources like Cell site on Wheels (COW), Tower on Wheels (TOW), Cell site at Less Footprint (CALF), Genset on a Truck (GOAT), and Emergency Base Stations to maintain connectivity in disaster-affected areas. Libreng Tawag, Libreng Charging (LTLC) stations are also deployed in disaster-hit areas to provide residents essential communication services amid power outages. Meanwhile, Globe’s telehealth provider KonsultaMD offers medical and mental health services to assist in disaster recovery. Employee volunteers also help prepare and distribute relief supplies, reflecting Globe’s commitment to community recovery and rebuilding. Through Globe Rewards, customers can directly donate to partner organizations, providing aid for those in need. Globe’s commitment to climate action is also key to its disaster risk reduction strategy. By pursuing its net-zero ambition, the telco giant seeks to reduce the risks posed by extreme weather and other climate-related threats through climate mitigation. On the other hand, speaking at the panel discussion on “Leveraging Digital Advancements for Early Warning Dissemination and Communication,” Emmanuel Estrada, Globe Vice President for Regulatory Development and Strategy, highlighted the importance of a multi-channel approach for emergency communications. He emphasized that integrating cell broadcasts with location-based SMS and various channels— such as sirens, billboards, TV, radio, mobile apps, and social media —would significantly expand audience reach. Maintaining consistency across platforms is crucial to prevent confusion and ensure that information is delivered clearly and effectively. “In times of emergency, it is crucial that we leverage all existing and in-service technologies to send Emergency Alert Warning Messages (EAWM) to as many people as possible. This means we cannot rely solely on mobile networks,” he stressed. Estrada also shared that Globe is exploring low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite technology to ensure uninterrupted communication in areas where terrestrial networks may fail. These satellite services can extend connectivity to remote or disaster-affected areas, enhancing resilience for emergency teams. With disaster preparedness embedded in its business model, Globe applies the principles of Resilience by Design (RD) throughout its network lifecycle, ensuring that critical infrastructure, such as satellite hubs, are positioned safely to maintain service continuity. The APMCDRR 2024 gave Globe a valuable opportunity to present its DRR accomplishments and reaffirm its commitment to protecting Filipinos through innovative technologies and sustainable practices. With over 4,000 attendees, this year’s conference emphasized accelerating DRR efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change and natural disasters across the region. PHOTO CAPTION:

Globe has received reports that its sender ID has been used to spread a malicious message apparently targeting the President’s family or prominent political figures. Globe wishes to clarify that the said message is a case of spoofing, where fraudsters send unauthorized SMS with a spoofed sender ID to mobile users in a particular area using fake cell towers. Spoofing uses an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) catcher– a portable  device that captures mobile users within a limited radius by forcing their signal to downgrade to 2G, the old cellular network technology for voice calls and texts.  Messages sent via spoofing do not pass through the Globe cellular network, thus bypassing Globe’s stringent anti-fraud filters. Globe is investigating this incident and is working with relevant authorities and other partners to prevent a recurrence. Globe would also like to remind its customers to be wary of suspicious text messages they receive and never engage with its senders. As a mobile network operator engaged in public service, Globe will never send messages of a political nature and does not have any political alliance.  Instead, it is committed to working with the government to achieve shared goals, including inclusive connectivity and a digitally-enabled and thriving Filipino nation.  

Idineklara ng Department of Health (DOH) ang Code White Alert mula Enero 6–10, 2025 para sa taunang Traslacion ng Poong Itim na Nazareno,ngayong araw Enero 9. Ang alertong ito ay nagsisiguro na ang lahat ng itinalagang medical personnel, kagamitan, at pasilidad sa NCR at mga karatig-rehiyon gaya ng Central Luzon at CALABARZON ay nakaantabay upang mabilis na tumugon sa mga emerhensiya o insidenteng may kaugnayan sa kalusugan sa panahon ng malaking pagtitipong panrelihiyon. Ang DOH, sa pakikipagtulungan sa mga katuwang na ahensya at Lokal na Pamahalaan ng Maynila, ay magtatalaga ng medical teams at mga health station sa mga pangunahing lugar ng ruta ng Traslacion, kabilang ang Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park, SM Manila, Ayala Bridge, P. Casal, at Quinta Market. Dagdag pa rito, 201 tauhan mula sa Health Emergency Response Team (HERT) ng 20 ospital ng DOH sa Metro Manila, kabilang ang Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center (JRRMMC), Tondo Medical Center (TMC), Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital (DJFMH), at East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC), ang itatalaga. Ang mga katuwang na ahensya tulad ng Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), at DOH Metro Manila Center for Health Development (MMCHD) ay magkakaroon din ng mahalagang papel upang matiyak ang koordinado at epektibong pagtugon sa kalusugan. Ang mga itinalagang health station sa kahabaan ng ruta ng Traslacion ay magbibigay ng basic at advanced care ayon sa pangangailangan. Nakaantabay rin ang mga ambulansya para sa agarang pagdadala ng mga pasyente sa ospital. Ang mga pasilidad tulad ng JRRMMC, TMC, at iba pang ospital ng DOH sa NCR ay handang tumanggap ng mga pasyenteng nangangailangan ng mas masusing atensyong medikal. Binibigyang-diin din ng DOH ang kahalagahan ng pagsunod sa mga pag-iingat sa kalusugan at kaligtasan sa panahon ng Traslacion. Hinihikayat ang mga deboto na kung may ubo o sipon at hindi maganda ang pakiramdam, iwasan na muna ang magpunta sa Traslacion para hindi lumala ang kondisyon at mapigilan ang pagkalat ng sakit. Uminom ng walong basong tubig kada araw upang manatiling hydrated, magsuot ng komportableng damit, at limitahan ang matagal na pagkakalantad sa init upang maiwasan ang mga sakit tulad ng heat stroke. “Ang taunang Traslacion ay panata na ng milyun-milyong mga Pilipinong deboto. Kasama niyo ang DOH sa pagtitiyak ng maayos na kalusugan at kaligtasan ng lahat. Kasama ang ating mga katuwang na ahensya, ang DOH ay handang tumugon sa anumang medical emergencies at magbigay ng agarang pangangalaga. Hinihikayat namin ang lahat ng debotong makipagtulungan, maging mapagmatyag, at unahin ang kanilang kalusugan sa makabuluhang pagdiriwang na ito,” ani Health Secretary Teodoro J. Herbosa. Photo Courtesy ABSCBN

Year 2024 has been a banner year for the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) after its gross revenues breached the Php 11 billion mark, mainly driven by the joint venture deal for a 6.1-hectare mixed-use development in Taguig City. BCDA saw its gross revenues increase by 3% to Php 11.3 billion in 2024 from Php 10.9 billion in 2023. This steady growth and positive financial performance was mainly attributed to the execution of a joint venture agreement for the development of the 6.1-hectare mixed-use development in Bonifacio Capital District in Taguig, which yielded an initial payment of Php 3.5 billion to the BCDA. Additionally, the BCDA’s toll and airport concession revenues saw an increase of Php 925 Million from Php 2.3 billion in 2023 to Php 3.2 billion in 2024. Dividends from BCDA’s affiliates also grew by Php 325 million from Php 675 million in 2023 to Php 1 billion in 2024. “Through collaboration with partners that share our vision and efficient revenue generation efforts, the BCDA wrapped up 2024 as another banner year for the organization, sustaining good financial performance over the years. This is fueled by our mission to build world-class cities and implement game-changing projects for the benefit of the Filipino people,” BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer Joshua M. Bingcang said. Engr. Bingcang expressed optimism that the BCDA will continue to sustain its revenue levels, with earnings projected to remain above Php 10 billion in 2025. He said this forecast reflected the BCDA’s continued efforts to foster strong partnerships and implement projects that fuel economic growth and infrastructure development in the country. “We are committed to continue generating strong revenues, as this will allow us to boost our support for our beneficiary agencies and stakeholders, especially our military forces,” Engr. Bingcang said. Pursuant to its mandate under Republic Act 7227 or the Bases Conversion and Development Act, the BCDA transforms former military camps into centers of economic growth, generating income through disposition proceeds from sale, lease, and joint venture, as well as concession fees and other receipts. Portions of these proceeds are remitted to the Bureau of the Treasury through dividends and contributions to the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other beneficiary agencies. A share of the earnings are also used to fund the BCDA’s infrastructure projects to help strengthen and boost the competitiveness of its economic zones.                

Cebu Pacific (PSE: CEB), the Philippines’ leading carrier, welcomed its 16th aircraft delivery this year, an A330neo, further boosting its seat capacity to accommodate rising travel demand and support its expanding network. The brand-new 459-seater aircraft arrived in Manila on December 19, bringing the current number of A330neos in CEB’s fleet to 10. “The A330neo’s versatility and efficiency are key to our goal of providing affordable and reliable travel options for every Juan. This aircraft enables us to serve high-traffic routes and long-haul destinations more effectively while optimizing seat capacity to accommodate increasing demand,” said Xander Lao, CEB President and Chief Commercial Officer. Airbus NEOs are the latest-generation aircraft that burn 15 percent less fuel per flight and produce less noise compared to the previous generation. The reduction in fuel consumption leads to a corresponding reduction in aircraft carbon emissions. On October 2, CEB announced that it has signed a landmark purchase agreement with Airbus and Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, for up to 152 A321neo aircraft, equipped with Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engines. The acquisition is the largest in Philippine aviation history, valued at approximately USD $24 billion (PHP 1.4 trillion) based on list prices. CEB operates one of the youngest fleets in the world, with its diversified commercial fleet mix of 10 Airbus 330s, 40 Airbus 320s, 25 Airbus 321s, and 15 ATR turboprop aircraft enabling the widest network coverage in the Philippines.