By Carmina Reyes Romero   Cebu Pacific Air, the Philippines’ leading carrier, has been recognized as Asia’s Low-Cost Airline of the Year by the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA), a global authority in aviation research and analysis. The award highlights CEB’s strong business performance and its continued drive to make air travel affordable and accessible for everyone. CAPA’s annual recognition honors the airline that demonstrates outstanding strategic leadership, innovation, and lasting industry impact, setting the standard for low-cost carriers across the region. “We are deeply honored to receive this award from CAPA. It recognizes the passion and commitment of every Cebu Pacific employee who works hard each day to make flying safe, affordable, and accessible for our passengers,” said Mike Szucs, CEB Chief Executive Officer. “As we expand our reach, our purpose remains clear—to connect people and communities, and to help fuel tourism and economic growth across the Philippines and the Asia-Pacific.” The CAPA Awards for Excellence are not driven by customer surveys or sponsorship. They are independently researched by an international panel of judges and analysts. CEB stood out for its record-breaking passenger growth and strong financial performance. From January to September 2025, CEB has flown nearly 20 million passengers, a 13.9% increase from 17.5 million in 2024. Domestic passengers grew 12.7% to 14.9 million, while international passengers grew 17.7% to 5.1 million. The seat load factor averaged 84.8% for the period, while overall capacity in seats went up by 14% to 23.5 million.    

MANILA, Philippines — Globe Business has partnered with global cybersecurity company Cyble to bring an AI-native threat intelligence platform to the Philippines. This marks a major step forward in transforming cybersecurity, arming local enterprises with the predictive defense needed to combat the nation’s rising wave of sophisticated cyber threats. The collaboration comes at a critical time, as cyberattacks in the Philippines continue to rise in volume and complexity. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, more than 1.2 million compromised credentials belonging to Filipinos were discovered on the dark web, reflecting widespread exposure to data exploitation. The country also remains a persistent target for phishing attacks, revealing weakness to credential theft and social engineering. With the increasing availability of tools such as Malware-as-a-Service, traditional perimeter-based defenses are no longer enough. Through this partnership, Globe Business and Cyble aim to help organizations stay ahead of evolving threats by combining local enterprise expertise with Cyble’s deep capabilities in dark web monitoring and AI-powered risk detection. The solution collects, processes, and analyzes data from multiple layers of the internet to provide early warnings on potential attacks, leaked credentials, and brand impersonations before they escalate into costly incidents. “The fight against cybercrime is now a race of intelligence and speed,” said KD Dizon, Head of Globe Business. “Our partnership with Cyble is about democratizing that power, equipping Philippine enterprises with AI-driven foresight so they can move beyond simply reacting to breaches and achieve proactive, data-informed resilience.” Cyble’s technology is built on Agentic AI and the BlazeAI engine, designed to operate autonomously and continuously learn from emerging threat patterns. Its AI-native architecture enables the system to process over 20 billion pages each day, monitoring more than 15,000 cybercrime sources in real-time. This allows security teams to detect data leaks, exposed assets, or fraudulent domains instantly and act before harm occurs. “The Philippines faces some of the world’s fastest-growing cyber risks,” said Beenu Arora, Co-founder and CEO of Cyble. “Through this partnership, we aim to help enterprises stay one step ahead of attackers by combining the scale of AI with the local expertise of Globe Business.” The solution offers wide applications across industries. Banks and financial institutions can identify compromised customer data early and block fraudulent activity. Retail and e-commerce businesses can safeguard their brand integrity and customer trust by detecting counterfeit products or cases of unauthorized brand use.. Government agencies can monitor chatter around planned attacks or data breaches, allowing early preventive action. Even at the executive level, organizations can detect personal data exposure and malicious social engineering attempts against their leadership and supply chain partners. This partnership solidifies Globe Business’ commitment to guiding companies through secure digital transformation, ensuring their digital future is built on a foundation of trust and intelligence. As Cybersecurity Month 2025 underscores the global mandate for stronger cyber resilience, Globe Business urges organizations to move definitively from outdated, reactive defense to proactive, AI-driven prevention, a necessity for operating successfully in the modern digital economy.        

MANILA, Philippines — Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano on Tuesday pressed for stricter oversight in government borrowing and fiscal discipline after the Department of Finance (DOF) said the government will need to borrow P4.5 billion daily in 2026 despite projecting P13.65 billion in daily revenues. The senator’s call came in response to the DOF’s presentation before the Senate Committee on Finance on October 14, 2025, where the department said it still expects a significant financing gap that will require massive daily borrowings to sustain public operations and fund key development programs. The DOF also presented its P37.78-billion budget for 2026, mostly for the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and Bureau of Customs (BOC), with plans to boost revenues through government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCC) dividends and asset sales. Cayetano, a long-time advocate of accountability and good governance, warned that while the government needs to raise funds, unchecked borrowing without sufficient congressional scrutiny of loan agreements could burden the country with hidden obligations in the future. “Theoretically, it would be completely legal that the government borrows money pero walang approval ng Congress… You show it to us when it’s implemented na at walang option ang Congress to say na hindi namin gusto y’ung loan na ‘yan,” he said. He added that the country’s fiscal policies must balance revenue generation with social responsibility, citing the government’s growing reliance on digital taxes and online gambling revenues. “If the Department of Finance is mostly looking at the revenue side, where is the rest of the government?” he said. Cayetano said fiscal measures should not only meet collection targets but also uphold transparency and accountability. He reiterated the need for openness in public finance, co-authoring Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 4 mandating full transparency of key budget documents, where he is pushing for the disclosure of  loan contracts, to strengthen accountability in fiscal planning. “Ensure full transparency. The national budget is not just the work of a few but a product of the entire Congress, representing every Filipino,” he said. Cayetano stressed the importance of aligning legislative oversight with the needs of the people. “We want to assure the public. Iisa lang naman ang hangarin ng Pangulo at ng Kongreso: ang tiyaking makakarating ang tulong at serbisyong dapat sa bawat Pilipino, at malinaw kung saan napupunta ang pera ng bayan,” he said.      

Cebu Pacific (PSE: CEB), the Philippines’ leading carrier, proudly hosted the official launch of Women in Aviation International – Philippines (WAI-PH), the country’s first organization dedicated to empowering women across the aviation industry. The Philippine chapter is the local arm of Women in Aviation International (WAI), a nonprofit with over 20,000 members worldwide. WAI provides mentorship, scholarships, and networking opportunities for women in aviation, with a mission to educate and empower women across all sectors of the industry. “Cebu Pacific is proud to support this initiative that empowers women in aviation,” said Shevantha Weerasekera, CEB Vice President for Engineering and Fleet Management. “It aligns perfectly with our goal of fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace where everyone can take flight.” The launch, sponsored by CEB Engineering and Fleet Management (EFM) and the People Department alongside the chapter’s founding officers, comes at a pivotal moment as the Philippine aviation sector modernizes fleets, embraces digital transformation, and addresses workforce gaps. As part of the event, WAI-PH also celebrated Girls in Aviation Day (GIAD), inspiring young Filipinas through hands-on activities; career talks led by female pilots, engineers, mechanics, and cabin crew; aircraft tours; and resource kits from WAI-USA. This initiative gave the participants an early glimpse into the exciting world of aviation, encouraging them to consider careers in the aerospace industry. Looking ahead, WAI-PH aims to expand beyond its founding members—CEB, Aplus, and Airlink Aviation College—and engage other airlines, aviation schools, and maintenance organizations (MROs) nationwide. Through mentorship, leadership programs, and outreach initiatives, CEB seeks to inspire more Filipinas to pursue aviation careers and contribute to a more diverse and inclusive industry.        

MANILA, Philippines — The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) has granted the Philippine National Police (PNP) the authority to recruit 6,589 Patrolmen and Patrolwomen under the PNP Calendar Year 2025 Attrition Recruitment Program, as provided under NAPOLCOM Resolution No. 2025-0580, approved on October 1, 2025. This recruitment aims to ensure the equitable replacement of personnel lost through attrition and to strengthen the PNP’s human resource capability in line with Section 27 of Republic Act No. 6975, which provides for maintaining the authorized police strength in accordance with the ideal police-to-population ratio. Following the Commission’s evaluation, the distribution of the recruitment quota is as follows: The Police Regional Office (PRO) 4A was allocated with 650 slots; National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and PRO 3 with 550 each; PRO 5 with 450; PRO 11 with 400; PROs 1 and 7 with 350 each; PROs 6, 10, and 12 with 300 each; PROs 8 and 4B with 250 each; PROs 9 and 13 with 200 each; PRO 2 with 150; PRO Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) with 139; and PRO Negros Island Region (NIR) with 300. Meanwhile, PRO Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BAR) was not allotted a quota for this cycle. The total allocation for all Police Regional Offices (PROs) is 5,689. For the National Support Units (NSUs), the following quotas were approved: Drug Enforcement Group (DEG) – 225; Headquarters Support Service (HSS) – 200; Explosives and Ordnance Division – K9 (EOD-K9) – 95; Communications and Electronics Service (CES) – 85; Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG), Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), and Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG) – 75 each; and Special Action Force (SAF) – 70, for a total of 900. This brings the grand total to 6,589 recruits for the 2025 Attrition Recruitment Program. Under this resolution, the NAPOLCOM emphasized that all applicants for recruitment must possess the requisite competence and integrity to enforce laws and ordinances, protect lives and property, maintain peace and order, ensure public safety, and prevent crimes. Priority shall be given to applicants with knowledge and understanding of information and communications technology (ICT) to support modern policing methods such as CCTV systems, drones, and body-worn cameras for the effective prevention, detection, and investigation of cybercrimes.

Globe has been recognized as a Supplier Engagement Leader by CDP, a global non-profit that runs the world’s leading environmental disclosure system. This marks the first time Globe has received an A score for Supplier Engagement in 2024, the highest rating in the supplier engagement assessment, reflecting its strong collaboration with partners and suppliers on climate action. The company also maintained its B rating for Climate in the 2024 cycle, keeping it ahead of both global and regional averages and at par with the media, telecommunications & data center services industries. “Transparency drives real action. Our CDP recognition validates Globe’s strategy to embed sustainability not just within our operations, but across our entire ecosystem of suppliers and partners,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe’s Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer. “We know that climate change is too big for any one company to solve alone, which is why we are committed to mobilizing our value chain to cut emissions and build resilience.” CDP scores matter to businesses and investors because they serve as independent benchmarks on how companies are addressing climate risks. On average, companies that disclose through CDP cut their emissions by 7 to 10 percent within two years of an investor request. Globe’s leadership status signals that it is not only managing its environmental footprint but also influencing suppliers to step up. “As the founder of environmental reporting, CDP is dedicated to building a world where people, planet and profit are truly balanced. We greatly appreciate the support of Globe in our efforts to continue pioneering transparency; powering corporate environmental action,” said Simon Fischweicher, Chief Delivery Officer, CDP. Globe has been working to power more of its sites and facilities with renewable energy, while deploying energy-efficient technology across its network to cut emissions. It has also engaged suppliers by reinforcing its Supplier Code of Ethics, introducing sustainability criteria in procurement, screening for ESG performance, and training partners to build sustainable practices. At the same time, Globe continues to pursue its net-zero goals through comprehensive greenhouse gas accounting and a science-based roadmap for 2030 and beyond. These efforts are anchored on strong governance, with oversight from Globe’s Board, through the Board Risk Oversight and Sustainability Committee, and top management, ensuring climate goals are integrated into business strategy. The recognition from CDP adds to Globe’s growing list of sustainability milestones this year, including being named by TIME x Statista’s Most Sustainable Companies 2025, Standard Insights’ Most Active Mobile Network for the Environment, and International Finance’s Best ESG Practices in Telecom for the Philippines. Globe is showing that sustainability is not just about greening its network. It is also about working with partners in pushing for greener operations, cleaner communities, and a more sustainable future for all.  

MANILA, Philippines — San Miguel Corp. (SMC) is warning the public about a new wave of scams exploiting the name of its chairman and CEO Ramon S. Ang. These include deep fake videos circulating on social media such as TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram that digitally alter Ang’s likeness and voice to trick viewers into clicking links and transferring money through electronic cash channels. SMC said the cases have already been reported to the different platforms and authorities, but are still awaiting action. “I do not promote investments through social media or random emails, and I have never made any video inviting people to invest or promising money-back guarantees. These scams put people at risk, and we don’t want anyone to lose their hard-earned money,” Ang said. Ang’s only verified account is his official Facebook page, used only for public posts and updates. He has no personal accounts on Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, or other platforms. Meanwhile, SMC itself has also been the subject of email scams. A new scheme involves messages inviting recipients to join a supposed “vending procurement program.” The company said no such program exists and warned against emails sent from domains such as “smc@gmail.com,” “vendordepartment,” or “sanmiguelcooperation.com.” SMC stressed it conducts business only with accredited suppliers through its Corporate Procurement Group (smc_cpgsupport@sanmiguel.com.ph), which never requires payments for accreditation or participation in biddings. For security, the email address only receives inquiries, and feedback requests must include a phone number. Job-seekers are also being victimized through a recruitment scam, where fake web pages and email addresses are used to trick people into thinking they are applying to an SMC subsidiary. They are then asked for payment for medical check-ups or for  fake requirements. SMC emphasized that the company and its businesses will never require any form of payment from job applicants, or ask them to shoulder any fees and costs. The company urged the public to remain vigilant, block suspicious accounts, and report scams to the proper authorities.    

Manila, Philippines —The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines invites students and parents to attend the 10th EducationUSA University Fair in Manila on September 28, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., at One Ayala Mall in Makati City. Twenty-eight U.S. colleges, universities and partner organizations are joining this year’s event, providing Filipino students, professionals, parents, and educators direct access to information about study abroad opportunities in the United States. The following U.S. college, universities, and organizations will participate in the 2025 Fair in Makati: California State University – Chico; Calvin University; College of Central Florida; College of Saint Scholastica; Foothill College; Georgia State University; Green River Community College; Hawai‘i Pacific University; Highline College; Hope College; Johns Hopkins University; Kapi’olani Community College; Lewis University; Middle Tennessee State University; Maryland Institute College of Art; Minerva University; Moraine Valley Community College; Ohio Northern University; Pearson (PTE Academic); Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota; Savannah College of Art and Design; Shoreline Community College; University of Bridgeport; University of Rochester; University of San Francisco; University of the Incarnate Word; Xavier University; and York College of Pennsylvania. Admission to the EducationUSA University Fair is free and open to the public.  Please pre-register online at educationusa.ph/Fair2025.  “Filipinos should look to the United States for exciting higher education opportunities,” said U.S. Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., Y. Robert Ewing. “Welcoming over 4,000 Filipino students last year was an incredible achievement, and we are excited to see even more students unlock their potential, pursue their passions, and experience the unparalleled opportunities of a world-class U.S. education.” In 2024, the annual Open Doors report recorded 4,100 Filipino students studying in the United States, the highest number in 15 years. The EducationUSA University Fair builds on this momentum, creating new opportunities for Filipinos to explore world-class academic programs and scholarship opportunities. EducationUSA is the U.S. government’s official source of information on U.S. higher education, offering free advising services to students across the Philippines. With almost 4,000 accredited U.S. colleges and universities, students have access to a wide array of programs, top-notch research opportunities, and flexible academic pathways.