MANILA, Philippines — The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) has expressed full support for the initial actions of newly designated Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., particularly his decision to implement a resolution reversing the major reshuffle of senior officials ordered under former PNP Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III. NAPOLCOM Vice Chairperson and Executive Officer Commissioner Ralph Calinisan commended Nartatez for enforcing Resolution No. 2025-0531, signed by Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary and Ex-Officio Chairperson Juanito Victor C. Remulla, along with Commissioners Calinisan, Beatrice Aurora A. Vega-Cancio, Ricardo P. Bernabe, and Josephus G. Angan. “This move of the new PNP Chief highlights his respect for institutions and the system of checks and balances enshrined in the Constitution. This is a good sign of things to come. The NAPOLCOM pledges 100 percent support to the leadership of Lt. Gen. Nartatez. Truly, Nartatez is the best choice to be the next PNP Chief,” Calinisan said. The NAPOLCOM chief likewise welcomed Nartatez’s move to relieve P/BGen. Jean Fajardo as PNP spokesperson, emphasizing the importance of aligning the post with the Public Information Office. Nartatez explained that Fajardo is currently detailed with the Directorate for Comptrollership and therefore not in the proper office to serve as spokesperson. NAPOLCOM underscored that the resolution seeks to restore stability and proper command structure within the police force, following the leadership transition at Camp Crame.

Cebu Pacific (PSE: CEB), the Philippines’ leading airline, will soon introduce Airbus A330neo flights to more destinations in its domestic network to support the growing demand for air travel ahead of the holiday season. Starting October 26, 2025, the 459-seater widebody aircraft will operate flights between Manila to Iloilo 7x weekly, and between Manila and Puerto Princesa 4x weekly starting November 2, 2025. A330neo flights will also operate between Manila and Bohol 7x weekly beginning November 16, 2025. Start of Operations Route Frequency October 26 Manila – Iloilo – Manila 7x weekly November 2 Manila – Puerto Princesa – Manila 4x weekly November 16 Manila – Bohol – Manila 7x weekly “We’re excited to expand our A330neo operations to more Philippine destinations, as this allows us to offer more seats, lower fares, and an even more comfortable travel experience for our passengers. By increasing capacity to key domestic routes, we not only make travel more accessible, but also help drive tourism and stimulate economic activity, creating opportunities for local communities and further supporting the growth of Philippine tourism,” said Xander Lao, President and Chief Commercial Officer of Cebu Pacific. CEB is the largest operator of A330neo aircraft in Asia-Pacific, currently with a total of 12 aircraft of this kind in its fleet. With the arrival of its latest A330neo aircraft in July, CEB also became the first local airline to operate a 100-strong fleet. Currently, CEB operates A330neo flights to Cebu, Davao, and General Santos, as well as several international destinations across Asia, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates. With CEB’s A330neo flights now having a wider reach across the Philippines, more travelers will be able to experience Puerto Princesa’s rich marine life and access its stunning beaches, explore Iloilo’s sumptuous dishes and well-preserved Spanish-era landmarks, and visit Bohol, the home of the world’s smallest primate—the tarsier. This move also aligns with CEB’s ongoing efforts to provide its passengers with improved comfort, increased capacity, and a more sustainable way to travel. With its extended range and high seating capability, the A330neo allows the airline to optimize operations on both high-demand and strategically important routes. The A330neo provides CEB with the flexibility to serve regional, long-haul, and busy domestic routes, all while maintaining cost-efficiency. Airbus NEOs are the latest-generation aircraft that burn up to 25 percent less fuel per flight and produce less noise compared to the previous generation. The decrease in fuel consumption leads to a corresponding reduction in aircraft carbon emissions. CEB operates one of the youngest fleets in the world, with its diversified fleet mix of 12 Airbus A330s, 40 Airbus A320s, 26 Airbus A321s, and 22 ATR turboprop aircraft, enabling the widest network coverage in the Philippines.

MANILA, Philippines — Globe and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a stronger, more integrated framework to curb fraud, scams, and other ICT-enabled crimes. The partnership formalizes a Collaborative Framework for Fraud Prevention and Investigation, ensuring closer cooperation between Globe and DICT, along with its attached agencies, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), the National Privacy Commission (NPC), and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC). This initiative supports government and industry-wide efforts to safeguard Filipinos from identity theft, phishing, SMS scams, and other fraudulent activities that have proliferated in the digital space. DICT Secretary Henry Aguda underscored the importance of public-private collaboration in building a safe and trusted digital ecosystem. “Connectivity should not be an afterthought, but a built-in part of how we design and build the future. With partners like Globe, I am confident that we are taking bold steps toward a future where every Filipino, wherever they may be, is connected and empowered. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to collective action against fraud and the protection of our people online.” Globe President and CEO Carl Cruz on the other hand reaffirmed the company’s commitment to digital trust and consumer protection. “At Globe, we believe that connectivity must go hand in hand with safety and trust. This partnership with DICT strengthens our collective defenses against fraudsters who exploit digital channels. By combining our resources, intelligence, and expertise with that of the government, we are creating stronger shields for Filipinos and ensuring that technology remains a force for good.” The MOU takes effect immediately and will run for two years, subject to renewal upon mutual agreement. Both parties also committed to regular reviews of the framework to enhance its effectiveness and responsiveness to evolving digital threats. Through this collaboration, Globe and DICT aim to set a benchmark for industry–government partnerships in advancing digital trust and building a safer online environment for all Filipinos.      

MANILA, Philippines — Globe posted sequential growth in gross service revenues for the second quarter of 2025, reflecting its resilient operations and unwavering commitment to building a digitally connected Philippines. This upbeat performance is powering the company’s aggressive network expansion and 5G rollout, delivering faster, more reliable connectivity to millions of Filipinos and paving the way for next-generation technologies. By mid-2025, Globe had made significant progress in rolling out its network expansion program to meet the country’s rising digital needs. The company built 937 new cell sites and upgraded 4,512 LTE sites, further strengthening mobile coverage and enhancing service quality nationwide. To meet the growing demand for home internet, Globe deployed 35,821 new fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) lines, ensuring more households have access to high-speed broadband essential for remote work, online learning, e-commerce, and digital services. As part of its network enhancement program, Globe successfully migrated over 600 towns to full fiber connectivity, phasing out legacy copper lines in these areas. This milestone not only boosts broadband speed and stability but also aligns with Globe’s green network strategy, reducing environmental impact and eliminating copper scavenging incidents that historically disrupted services. Globe’s growth is also powered by its expanding 5G network. The company rolled out 444 new 5G sites nationwide, expanding its 5G outdoor coverage to 98.71% in Metro Manila and 98.19% in key Visayas and Mindanao cities by end-June 2025. These advancements are enabling more Filipinos to enjoy seamless high-speed connectivity for work, entertainment, and emerging digital innovations.  Serving Filipino travellers globally, Globe sustained its leadership through 168 inbound and 183 outbound 5G roaming partnerships across 99 destinations, keeping Filipinos connected wherever they go. These milestones highlight Globe’s sustained investments in network infrastructure and 5G innovation, reinforcing its mission to bridge the digital divide and future-proof its network. Backed by financial sustainability, Globe is empowering Filipinos to thrive in a fast-evolving digital economy and positioning the Philippines as a rising hub for digital connectivity and technology adoption in the region.

MANILA, Philippines — In a shared vision to uplift the state of education in the country, and reach as many learners as possible, Globe and Khan Academy Philippines have collaborated to bring quality education closer to every Filipino.  Joining hands to focus on empowering students, and educators through inclusive digital learning, this will especially benefit areas where access to learning materials is limited. The collaboration provides timely support for the current reforms led by the Department of Education, particularly in school digitalization, teacher support, and connectivity projects. At the heart of this partnership is the digital skills program, which blends Globe’s nationwide connectivity and presence with Khan Academy’s trusted global content. It goes beyond textbooks and traditional teaching, offering lessons in STEM, digital literacy, online safety, and essential life skills, accessible online or through the GlobeOne app. Students now have access to courses aligned with the Department of Education’s current curriculum, and teachers are supported by Khanmigo, an AI-teaching assistant that makes administrative work easier, thus enabling teachers to have greater learning impact. Khanmigo can work in multiple local Philippine languages upon prompting, such as Tagalog, Waray, Cebuano, Hiligaynon, and Ilocano. “Education must evolve with the times.  We use technology to make learning easier and more effective for both students and teachers,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer. “By working with Khan Academy Philippines, we’re opening doors to leapfrog our students to 21st century learning. Using the GlobeOne app, the pedagogy is inclusive, relevant, and within reach.” The collaboration will include an employee volunteer program for Globe employees to engage with partner schools and communities on how to use Khan Academy’s educational resources. “This is the future and digitization is the way forward,” shared Geraldine B. Acuña-Sunshine, President and CEO of Khan Academy Philippines. “We’re not just talking about physical classrooms anymore. We’re imagining classrooms with screens, smart tools, and open access to a world of knowledge. This is bayanihan in action. Every small contribution, every act of support, helps build something bigger than ourselves.”          

MANILA, Philippines — Speaking at the 1H 2025 financial media briefing, Globe reiterated its strong support for inclusive internet access and urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (PBBM) to return the Konektadong Pinoy (KP) Bill to Congress for further refinement, ensuring it fully delivers on its transformative objectives. The company emphasized that while the KP Bill’s core intent is to make internet access more affordable and universally available for all, this vision can only be achieved with a level playing field across the telecommunications industry. Globe continues to expand its network and launch innovative digital solutions, fully aligned with the government’s mission to bridge the digital divide and foster inclusive growth. For years, Globe has championed equitable access to affordable and reliable internet, recognizing connectivity as a cornerstone of national development and social empowerment. The company fully supports KP Bill’s vision and objectives.However, it also believes that the bill requires careful revisions, so it can become an even stronger framework to empower every Filipino. “We are advocating for universal access to affordable and reliable internet. But we believe this bill needs further study and reform. We hope the President understands the concerns raised by many in the industry, including respected voices and notable personalities,” Froilan Castelo, General Counsel at Globe said. “Our key concerns include regulatory imbalance, uneven competition, and the lack of transparency and oversight for new players.” By linking its solid financial performance to its advocacy for inclusive connectivity, Globe underscored how sustainable business growth fuels greater investment in nationwide digital access and socio-economic progress. Globe also called for close collaboration between the government, industry stakeholders, and Congress to ensure that the KP Bill not only accelerates connectivity but also integrates vital safeguards for long-term stability, fairness, and security in the digital ecosystem. “Globe will be in support. If this bill has been returned to Congress, we’ll be in support,” Castelo said.

  The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) plan to fully harness the two terabit-per-second (Tbps) bandwidth allocation from global technology giant Meta, a move set to accelerate the implementation of the Philippine government’s National Broadband Plan. This initiative builds on the Luzon Bypass Infrastructure (LBI) project, a strategic collaboration among DICT, BCDA, and Meta, which laid out a 240-kilometer fiber corridor connecting Baler, Aurora on the east to San Fernando, La Union on the west. BCDA constructed the infrastructure, including two cable landing stations, four repeater stations, and terrestrial facilities. DICT, meanwhile, oversees its operation. The corridor is  designed to support two additional submarine cable operators. DICT is already utilizing 100 gigabits-per-second (Gbps) of the capacity under the Phase 1 of the National Fiber Backbone project, providing faster and more affordable connectivity to government offices, schools, and communities. The planned activation of the full 2Tbps represents a 20-fold increase in capacity, enabling nationwide, high-speed connectivity at an unprecedented scale. “Now that we have physical infrastructure in place, it’s time to activate its full potential,” said BCDA President and CEO Joshua M. Bingcang. “The 2Tbps bandwidth capacity presents a game-changing opportunity to bridge the digital divide, especially in far-flung areas and future smart cities like New Clark City.” Engr. Bingcang added that this collaboration with DICT and Meta is all about the whole-of-government’s push for digital equity. “With this capacity, we can support millions of simultaneous high-speed connections, expand internet access across the country, and power the smart cities and digital industries of the future.” Once integrated, the 2Tbps bandwidth will accelerate the rollout of high-capacity internet to more government offices, schools, economic zones, as well as unserved and underserved communities across the country. This also bolsters digital infrastructure in BCDA-managed estates such as New Clark City, Clark Freeport Zone, Camp John Hay, and Poro Point Freeport Zone, supporting data-driven industries, smart logistics, and AI-powered public services. The 2Tbps allocation will form the backbone of the national broadband network, complementing other major subsea cable projects and local fiber deployments. BCDA and DICT are currently finalizing technical arrangements, implementation timelines, and the long-term integration of the utilization of the 2Tbps bandwidth into the country’s broadband strategy. This initiative forms part of BCDA’s commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities), by expanding access to affordable internet, fostering innovation, and ensuring no community is left behind in the digital transition.  

MANILA, Philippines —The U.S. government is providing an additional Php13.8 million ($250,000) in funding to deliver emergency shelter assistance and hygiene kits to more than 3,000 families, or approximately 15,800 persons, remaining in evacuation centers in Rizal, Laguna, Bulacan, and Pampanga following severe flooding in July. This latest assistance brings the total amount of U.S. humanitarian support for disaster response efforts in the Philippines to Php27.6 million ($500,000). Through this new tranche of funding, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Philippines’ Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will distribute shelter-grade tarpaulins, shelter repair kits, and essential household supplies to families whose homes were damaged or destroyed.  Each shelter repair kit contains basic construction tools and materials to help families begin rebuilding their homes. To promote health and sanitation and improve living conditions in evacuation centers, families will also receive hygiene kits containing soap, buckets, and cleaning supplies.  In addition to distributing relief items, IOM will also monitor the condition of hygiene and sanitation facilities to ensure the safety and wellbeing of affected families. “Although flooding has subsided in most areas, thousands of families remaining in evacuation centers continue to face significant challenges,” U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Y. Robert Ewing said.  “We are grateful to be working alongside our partners, including IOM, the World Food Programme (WFP), the Philippines’ Office of Civil Defense, and the DSWD, to help affected families recover and rebuild.” The U.S. government earlier provided Php13.8 million ($250,000) in funding that supported WFP in delivering 47,700 DSWD family food packs that benefitted over 200,000 persons across Northern and Central Luzon. U.S. military air assets, alongside the Armed Forces of the Philippines, also supported Philippine-led operations to deliver 6,300 DSWD food packs for 18,000 persons in Batanes.      

Explore, experience, and live the tech life this August  Tech is everywhere. It’s in the way we create, work, and play, adding a little more excitement to the things we love. From smart gadgets that simplify your daily grind to pop culture experiences that bring communities together, tech isn’t just about the future–it’s about making life more fun, connected, and more YOU! This August, SM Supermalls invites you to explore, experience, and live the tech life at the SM Tech Fair! From August 1 to 31, SM transforms its spaces into tech wonderlands where innovation meets lifestyle, and where your favorite gadgets are right at your fingertips. 𝗔 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗴𝗮𝗱𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 Forget the old-school way of just browsing shelves. SM is flipping the script by creating immersive and interactive zones where you can actually experience what’s next. Imagine smart devices that respond to your voice, fitness gadgets that track every move like a personal coach, and hands-on exhibits where you can try before you buy. And because we know tech is also about fun, expect a whole layer of mixed reality adventures—from scavenger hunts that win you SM vouchers, to larger-than-life gadgets you’ll definitely want on your feed, to interactive walls that make browsing feel like a game. 𝗘𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗖𝘆𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘇𝗼𝗻𝗲 And of course, your ultimate tech and gadgets hub–Cyberzone–is leading the celebration! To kick off SM Supermalls’ 40th anniversary, Cyberzone is prepping a special lineup of premium gadgets from top brands only available during Tech Month. Think of it as a huge limited-edition drop you don’t want to miss. So whether you are into gaming, lifestyle gadgets, or just looking for what’s new, Cyberzone is your place to go! 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲: 𝗣𝗼𝗽 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 And because tech doesn’t live in a vacuum, SM is making space for the communities that bring it to life. Your fave SM malls will have a vibrant hub for all things geek and pop culture called Pop Central! Picture cosplay competitions with jaw-dropping costumes, tabletop card game meetups, and tournaments where strategies come alive, live gaming tournaments that turn mall spaces into battlegrounds, and collectible exhibits that will have every toy enthusiast swooning. Add in local illustrators showcasing their art, and you’ve got a creative mash-up of tech, style, and fandoms. 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗴𝗼, “𝗔𝗱𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝘁!” But what’s a tech celebration without a little retail therapy? The Great Gadget Sale is here with jaw-dropping discounts of up to 50% off your dream devices. Whether it’s upgrading your phone, getting that sleek smartwatch, or finally leveling up your gaming setup, this is the time to do it in-store or via the SM Malls Online app! Plus, SM’s fintech partners are rolling out special rebates and flexible payment plans, making it even easier to grab the gadgets you’ve been eyeing. So why just scroll about the future online when you can step right into it? Explore it. Experience it. Live it—only at SM. Visit www.smsupermalls.com or follow @SMSupermalls for the full lineup of events. Don’t forget to share your #SMTechLife moments!