27 Hunio 2024, Huwebes

City of Makati, France in June

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Ph to ban seafarers on pirated vessels

By J.Lo

“We therefore will no longer process or allow  boarding of seafarers on these three principals or ship owners who have been  subjects of attacks,” Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac said in an online briefing Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) will prohibit  hiring of Filipino seafarers by three major vessels that were involved in major attacks by Houthi militants.

Cacdac was referring to  vessels Galaxy Leader, True Confidence and Tutor, whose Filipino crew members were either injured or killed during attacks in  Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

“We are mindful of  need for  threat and risk assessment that we will now require ship owners prior to entering  war-risk area, particularly that pertaining to  Red Sea and Gulf of Aden,” Cacdac said.

He said  DMW will have proper coordination with security experts in terms of helping the department in these threat and risk assessments.

“We will also be looking out for zero security measures that will enable our seafarers to become more protected,” Cacdac stressed.

He said one is  proper presence of maritime security escorts in the area.

“So in the Philippines, we will consult  relevant branches of  Armed Forces and our Coast Guard so that we will be properly informed about what constitutes proper maritime security escort that will aptly protect our seafarers,” he added.

At the same time, Cacdac said they “will also require principals and ship owners to submit to them  maritime security forces protection that will be given to their ships that will navigate these routes, including presence of armed guards and  inherent protection onboard ships.”

Cacdac said these details will be required prior to processing of seafarers at this stage that aim to make principals, ship owners as well as  DMW more prepared.

26 Hunio 2024, Miyerkules

City of Makati, France in June

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AI, education challenges for employers – ECOP

By Nidz Godino

“This will enable stakeholders to access critical and accurate information more efficiently through an AI-powered chatbot, thereby enhancing ECOP’s accessibility to members,” Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) president Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr. said Artificial intelligence or AI and the quality of education in the Philippines are pressing issues  government must address.

Using AI in workplace, picking experienced education secretary, and wage hikes must be discussed, Luis told reporters  on sidelines of  45th National Conference of Employers.

Integration of AI across sectors and industries will transform business models and production processes and redefine skills required in workforce, he noted.

Training and education programs must be shifted for  resilient, adaptable and skilled workforce, he stressed.

Within ECOP is  pilot program developing generative AI technology to enhance knowledge dissemination, Ortiz-Luis said.

Initiative  started last month and would be formally launched in January 2025, he added.

As for Philippine education, he said  government is not allocating enough budget to sustain quality education.

The next education secretary who will replace Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio must have business acumen, he maintained.

Wage increases are not much of an issue as long as these are being decided by wage boards, Ortiz-Luis said.

“It’s the most objective…we will follow  decision of that wage board,” he said.

Letting regional wage boards decide on wage hikes also helps encourage investments in  provinces, he added.

26 Hunio 2024, Miyerkules

City of Makati, France in June

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HEADLINES

Detained  data security officer claimed hacking 93 websites

By J.Lo

“I owe a lot to him, for what he did for me in the Bulletin, but I’m sorry, Sir Art, that this happened,” hacker  alias “Kangkong”,  data security officer of Manila Bulletin has admitted hacking approximately 93 websites, including government and private company websites, as well as servers based abroad.

“Kangkong” revealed he left  specific picture on compromised websites as proof of his involvement.

In his extrajudicial confession, he identified Bulletin’s senior technology officer Art Samaniego as  person who ordered  hacking of several high-profile websites, including  peacekeeping operations center website of  Armed Forces of the Philippines,  mail server of National Security Council and  PH Army website.

Kangkong  regrets for implicating Samaniego to  National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

He explained  if there is  website he hacked, he would send it to Samaniego, and depending on how big  government agency is, he would look into it and decide if he would write  article about it.

“When we met, I was looking for work, he said maybe I could work in the Bulletin,” Kangkong said.

Samaniego has denied allegations that he ordered  hacking of government and bank websites to boost his social media reach.

He did not need to compromise AFP’s website for content.

Kangkong also issued  public apology to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the general public and especially to  military community for his actions.

Kangkong acknowledged  significant impact of his actions, including  exposure of sensitive data of soldiers to foreign entities.

“That’s when I realized  we have many enemies and we should not be going against each other,” he said.

Kangkong highlighted  inadequate cybersecurity measures in place for government and private companies’ websites, stating that this was  key factor in his ability to hack them.

“Cybersecurity is not really  priority in the Philippines… they should invest in security…we know that hiring people is expensive, tools needed are expensive…but they should invest somehow because if they don’t invest and they are breached, they would have to spend more,” he said.

Kangkong and two others were arrested by  NBI Cybercrime Division on June 19 after reports of multiple unauthorized access attempts and breaches on websites.

NBI revealed one of the suspects’ phone contained scripts and databases obtained from local government units, various government websites and Facebook users’ credentials.

Meanwhile,  NBI  confirmed  its Cybercrime Division has issued  subpoena against Samaniego.

NBI Public Information Office chief Nick Suarez told media agents of NBI-Cybercrime Division issued  subpoena past noon yesterday.

“This is part of  process for Samaniego to explain his side to  authorities,” Suarez said.

Subpoena  was issued to Samaniego in Manila Bulletin head office in Intramuros, Manila.

Samaniego has been suspended from work pending  investigation by Manila Bulletin according to reports.

23 Hunio 2024, Linggo

City of Makati, France in June

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Couples’ for Christ hit Divorce bill

By J.Lo

“We strongly urge our country’s leaders NOT to weaken  marriage bond but instead to work more aggressively to strengthen family,” Couples for Christ (CFC) manifesto said,  Catholic lay organization appealed to  government to reject proposals for  divorce law,  “a reflection of human weakness.”

Couples for Christ (CFC),  country’s biggest Catholic renewal community, issued  manifesto against  divorce bill.

More  vigorous implementation of Executive Order No. 209, s. 1987 or Family Code, “is  more viable option to elevate our people into  society of law-abiding, emotionally stable citizens,” it stressed.

House Bill 9349 or Absolute Divorce bill, passed in  House of Representatives with 131 affirmative votes, 109 negative and 20 abstentions, has been transmitted to  Senate. Earlier reports said  bill received 126 yes votes.

CFC argued broken families caused by divorce would bring emotional, psychological, financial and physical forms of pain, especially for children.

“No marriage is perfect…however, marriages formed in love and mutual understanding can be happy, enduring and fulfilling,” it stated.

23 Hunio 2024, Linggo

City of Makati, France in June

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FMJ inaugurates Grand Westside Hotel

By J.Lo

“Having developed many hotels and other tourism-related establishments around the country, Megaworld has shown  true partner in national development and  great builder of dreams and sustainable communities in our society,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.inaugurated Megaworld’s 1,530-room Grand Westside Hotel in Parañaque City, touted as  biggest hotel development in the country.

Grand Westside Hotel is expected to generate 20,000 direct and indirect jobs in the coming years, Marcos said.

 “Indeed, world class experiences are awaiting guests of this grand hotel,” Marcos said in his speech.

Located in  Entertainment City,  two-tower Grand Westside Hotel is  short drive from  Ninoy Aquino International Airport via  NAIA Expressway, and promises views of  world-famous Manila Bay sunset, as well as the skylines of Makati, Manila and Taguig.

The President thanked  Alliance Global Group, Inc., led by its president and chief executive officer Kevin Tan, for company’s upcoming developments, including  Grand Opera House, theaters and  gaming complex.

“With all these, we foresee not only  entry of more tourists but also  generation of more jobs, of new businesses and of greater opportunity,” Marcos said.

Alliance Global Group Inc. is  parent company of Megaworld Corp.

“This is particularly noteworthy considering  remarkable growth of  tourism sector, contributed 8.6 percent to the country’s GDP last year, 2023,” Marcos said.

Among those present at the inauguration of Grand Westside Hotel were Megaworld officials led by Tan, Speaker Martin Romualdez, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. chairman Alejandro Tengco and Parañaque City Mayor Eric Olivarez.

Marcos earlier said  tourism and hospitality industry has made  “impressive” recovery after  COVID-19 pandemic.

Hotels, restaurants, recreational amenities and tourist spots have “slowly but surely” risen to the challenge of travel resurgence, welcoming 5.45 million inbound tourists last year from 2.65 million visitors in 2022, the President said.

23 Hunio 2024, Linggo

City of Makati, France in June

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Jollibee probes hacking

By J.Lo

TONY TAN CACTIONG

“Parallel to these efforts, we are working closely with relevant authorities and experts,” Jollibee Group has begun  investigation into  cybersecurity incident that may have compromised  records of millions of customers.

In  statement,  Jollibee Group emphasized its e-commerce platforms are unaffected and remain operational.

“We take this matter seriously and have launched  investigation to better understand  scope of  incident,” it said.

Jollibee Group said response protocols have been implemented on top of enhanced security measures to further protect its data against threats.

 “Please be assured  we are continuously fortifying our defenses against future threats and remain committed to our priority of safeguarding customer data,” it said.

Furthermore, Jollibee Group urged  public to be vigilant and exercise good information security practices, including keeping passwords secure and changing them often.

Other brands under Jollibee Food Corp. are Greenwich, Red Ribbon, Burger King Philippines and Highlands Coffee.

Meanwhile,  Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT)  would intervene in  investigation on cybersecurity breach involving private companies only if requested to do so.

DICT Undersecretary Jeffrey Ian Dy made this clear when sought for comment on Jollibee Group’s announcement that it would investigate  recent cybersecurity breach.

“If private companies are involved, we’re usually hands off  unless they actively seek help,” Dy said.

DICT official added National Privacy Commission (NPC) that usually deals with cybersecurity attacks involving private entities.

23 Hunio 2024, Linggo

City of Makati, France in June

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OCTOBER 30, NATIONAL DAY OF CHARITY

By Nidz Godino

“PCSO has shown its dedication to fulfil its mandate through  provision of medical services,  conduct of free medical and dental services,  establishment of  out-patient clinic and its partnerships with qualified government and non-government welfare institutions/agencies that promote  well-being of  marginalized sectors of society,” proclamation read, Malacañang has declared Oct. 30 of every year as “National Day of Charity” as part of  Marcos administration’s vision to promote compassion, solidarity and social responsibility among Filipinos.

Under Proclamation 598, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin by the authority of President Marcos on June 13,  Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) is tasked to lead, coordinate and supervise  observance of National Day of Charity and identify programs, activities and projects for the celebration.

All government agencies and instrumentalities  including government-owned or -controlled corporations, financial institutions, local government units, state universities and colleges  and non-government organizations and  private sector are directed and encouraged to participate in  observance.

In signing  proclamation, Marcos cited Section 9, Article II of  Constitution,  mandates  promotion of “just and dynamic social order to ensure  prosperity and independence of the nation and free  people from poverty through policies that provide social services, promote full employment, improve  standard of living and quality of life for all.”

“Bagong Pilipinas, as  overarching theme of  administration’s brand of governance and leadership, calls for deep and fundamental transformations in all sectors of society and government, and visions to emphasize compassion, solidarity and social responsibility among Filipinos,”  proclamation stated.

23 Hunio 2024, Linggo

City of Makati, France in June

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HEADLINES

‘No intention to hurt, provoke Ph troops’

By J.Lo

“On the part of  People’s Republic of China, their real intention was to prevent  resupply mission… no reason to interpret it as  armed attack because it was just  intention of China to prevent  resupply from being successful,”  Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela said at  News Forum, echoing Malacañang’s pronouncement on Friday that  Chinese action did not constitute armed attack, hence not enough to trigger  Mutual Defense Treaty with United States.

 Chinese did not intend to harm Filipino coast guard and military personnel when they boarded their boats  brandishing pick axes and sticks to prevent them from reaching  BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal last week.

June 17 incident,  drew condemnation from  international community, was considered  most violent move so far by Chinese to disrupt  resupply mission for troops stationed on  Sierra Madre.

Sought for details on the incident, Tarriela said China’s only intention was to block rotation and resupply mission for Sierra Madre.

“Main objective was not to have armed aggression but to prevent  Philippine government from doing  resupply,” he said.

He stressed that while previous news reports indicated  CCG personnel were carrying knives, axes and other bladed weapons when they boarded Filipinos’ rigid-hull inflatable boats (RHIBs), their purpose was to cause damage or destroy  boats’ communications and navigation equipment and not to fight Filipinos.

“They were armed with axe, knives, bolo…my question is, did you see any of them in  video using bolo, axe, knife against our soldiers…no…the only thing we saw from videos was, these were  instruments used to cause damage to  boats used by our soldiers,” Tarriela pointed out.

Nonetheless, Tarriela said  government is sticking to its condemnation of  “barbaric and inhumane behavior” of  CCG towards its Philippine counterparts.

Armed Forces of the Philippines led  June 17 resupply mission for  Sierra Madre outpost manned by  handful of Marines.  CCG operation to stop resupply mission reportedly hurt at least eight Filipinos, according to initial reports, with one military personnel  identified by  AFP as Seaman First Class Jeffrey Facundo  losing  thumb.

Accident

Tarriela said Facundo’s injury was a result of the “high-speed ramming incident” involving Chinese and Filipino RHIBs, hence an “accident.”

Video footage from the AFP that Tarriela posted on X showed the CCG attackers outnumbering the Filipinos.

One of the CCG personnel was seen smashing a rod against a Filipino RHIB and using the same rod to pick a bag from the Philippine boat.

In another recording, another CCG personnel was seen flashing strobe lights at Filipinos, apparently to disorient them.

He said on X the CCG operation “prevented (the AFP and the PCG) from carrying out a routine and legitimate resupply mission to our troops onboard BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal, highlights their flagrant violation of international law.”

“It is evident that their greedy ambition has driven them to resort to violence,” he added.

Despite the Chinese getting bolder, Tarriela maintained there is no need to ask for help from other countries in dealing with threats from Chinese forces during rotation and resupply missions.

“Right now we don’t see any reason to request any foreign actor to support our ordinary, routine mission to BRP Sierra Madre,” he said.

Tarriela echoed the declaration from Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Presidential Assistant on Maritime Concerns Andres Centino that the violent disruption of the June 17 resupply mission could not yet be considered an armed attack.

The 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty between the Philippines and the US was not even discussed during the National Maritime Council meeting spearheaded by the two officials after the June 17 incident.

Tarriela emphasized the PCG and the AFP were still capable of carrying out rotation and resupply missions, despite Chinese harassment, as such endeavors are “ordinary, legitimate and routine.”

TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

Isaiah 40:31

³¹ but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.

22 Hunio 2024, Sabado

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DA bans poultry products fr Michigan

By J.Lo

“Strengthening and increasing safeguard duties imposed on chicken give immediate temporary relief to local broiler sector, without adversely affecting chicken retail price,” Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM) president Edicio dela Torre said importation of poultry products from Michigan has been temporarily banned amid  outbreak of bird flu.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. issued Memorandum Order 24 due to an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus in Michigan in  US.

Domestic and wild birds and their products, including poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs and semen are covered by  ban.

Bird flu viruses do not normally infect humans but sporadic human infections with avian influenza viruses have occurred, according to  US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Meanwhile,  Philippine government should consider increasing  trigger price of its price-based special safeguard (SSG) duties on imported chicken to curb imports and protect local producers, according to non-profit Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM).

SSG provides immediate and temporary protection to local producers against import surges or cheap importation of competing products,  PRRM said.

A price-based SSG is  trade remedy that allows country to impose  additional duty on an imported product whose price falls below  established trigger price.

Present  trigger prices for price-based SSG-eligible products were computed based on  weighted average of their import prices from 1986 to 1988, as per  World Trade Organization Agreement on Agriculture (WTO-AoA).

Imported chicken’s current trigger price, including whole chicken and cuts, is P93.96 per kilo.

Trigger price and its implementation should be reviewed every six months “when excess supply is expected to go above 60 days in inventory based on Department of Agriculture forecasts,” Dela Torre proposed.

At present,  government’s hands are tied to WTO-AoA’s existing rules.