ABS-CBN and TV5 joint venture (FILE PHOTO) MANILA, Philippines — Three resolutions seeking an investigation on the merger between media giants ABS-CBN and TV5, along with allegations that TV5 is foreign-owned, have been forwarded to the House of Representatives’ committee on legislative franchises on Wednesday. During the plenary session, House Resolutions (HR) No. 280, 281, and 282 were transmitted to the said committee for possible action. HR No. 280 authored by Zamboanga Sibugay 1st District Rep. Wilter Palma wants the said committee to look at the alleged foreign ownership issues about TV5, hinged on accusations that MediaQuest which is part of the PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund, supposedly owned by businessman Manny Pangilinan, actual belongs to a foreign national. It echoes allegations made by Sagip party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta, who said in his privilege speech last Monday that TV5 is owned by an Indonesian national. “There were published reports alleging that ABC … [Read more...] about Solons file resolutions seeking probe on ABS-CBN, TV5 merger
T mobile sprint merger 2018
DOTr to DepEd, CHEd: Provide bike racks, sheds to students to promote active mobility
FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Wednesday urged both the Department of Education (DepED) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to establish End-of-Trip (EoT) facilities in educational institutions to promote active mobility, especially amid the foreseen increase in traffic and passenger volume. According to DOTr’s statement, under Department Order No. 2020-014, children up to 15 years of age can utilize bicycle lanes along national and primary roads, provided that an adult cyclist accompanies them. “The establishment of the EoT facilities, which include parking spaces for bicycles— sheds, bike racks, as well as showers, will encourage students, teachers, and other school personnel to use existing bicycle lanes,” DOTr Sec. Jaime Bautista said. Bautista said the agency also appealed to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and the Land Transportation … [Read more...] about DOTr to DepEd, CHEd: Provide bike racks, sheds to students to promote active mobility
Agmo to set up Singapore teams within 18 months of listing
- A + A KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 17): Homegrown digital solutions and application development specialist Agmo Holdings Bhd (Agmo) has plans to expand in Singapore, targetting to set-up teams within 18 months of its listing on Bursa Malaysia’s ACE Market on Thursday (Aug 18). Agmo aims to raise RM22.10 million from its initial public offering (IPO). Its chief executive officer Tan Aik Keong said with a dedicated team in the city state, Agmo will be able to focus on growing the business and enhancing its customer relationships there. “We will expand our regional footprint by venturing into Singapore, where the mobile and web application development and digital solutions industries are expected to continue on a strong growth trajectory. “The establishment of our business presence there is expected to increase the group’s profile in the region,” he told Bernama . He said Singapore is a key global financial centre and also a regional base for many technology-related … [Read more...] about Agmo to set up Singapore teams within 18 months of listing
Sime Darby expects ‘tough’ FY23 amid rising inflation, supply chain issues
- A + A "The Covid-19 lockdown in China is still impacting our business. It may be quite a difficult year [for FY23], and it’s quite hard to achieve the results we want.” Sime Darby Bhd group chief executive officer Datuk Jeffri Salim Davidson (Photo credit: Sime Darby Bhd) KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 17): Sime Darby Bhd expects financial year ending June 30, 2023 (FY23) to be tough in the face of continuing headwinds from the Covid-19 pandemic, rising inflation and supply chain issues, said group chief executive officer Datuk Jeffri Salim Davidson. "I see more headwinds than in the past because inflation is 'rearing its head', interest rates are rising and borrowing costs are also rising, which may dampen consumer sentiment," he said at Sime Darby's financial results briefing for the fourth quarter ended June 30, 2022 (4QFY22) held virtually on Wednesday (Aug 17). In addition, Jeffri said, supply chain issues have not yet been fully resolved, which could affect the … [Read more...] about Sime Darby expects ‘tough’ FY23 amid rising inflation, supply chain issues
Sime Darby aims for higher electric vehicle sales
- A + A KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 17): Sime Darby Bhd expects electric vehicle (EV) sales to increase from the current 3,000 units sold as at June 30, 2022, which contributed a mere 4.5% of its motor division revenue, according to Sime Darby Motors managing director Andrew Basham. "The organisations we are working with are trying to ramp up the production of the EV cars, so we will see the selling number of the EV cars increase in the next financial year, especially in Hong Kong”, said Basham, without disclosing any forecasts. He said about half of all cars sold in the global market will be EVs by 2030. "This will take a long time because of lack of capacity such as batteries and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). In European markets in particular, they expect more than half of their motor division's sales to come from EVs by 2030. "I suspect that in our region, as well as in China, at least half of the sales will come from EVs by 2030. That's just my guess," … [Read more...] about Sime Darby aims for higher electric vehicle sales
HSBC Malaysia says it is experiencing a spike in customer calls after ‘payment gateway incident’
- A + A KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 17): HSBC Malaysia said on Wednesday (Aug 17) that the bank is currently receiving a spike in customer calls, driven partly by what it refers to as a "payment gateway incident". It said this in an emailed response to queries from The Edge about a recent spate of complaints from irate customers of the bank, who have been unable to reach the bank over some alleged fraudulent transactions. Many of them resorted to flooding HSBC's Facebook page with their grouses. Some claimed they received notifications via SMS from the bank that their credit cards have been temporarily blocked over what they said was a security breach at the bank. However, HSBC told The Edge that there has been no such issue, though it did not elaborate on what the "payment gateway incident" was about. Meanwhile, it said customers who need to report unauthorised transactions to the bank also have, in addition to its call centres, these options: To use their HSBC … [Read more...] about HSBC Malaysia says it is experiencing a spike in customer calls after ‘payment gateway incident’
Paul Moller’s 50-year dream to build a flying car won’t die
Paul Moller stands in the back corner of a large garage in Davis, California, clean-shaven and wearing a large pair of golden aviator glasses. The 52-year-old engineer is a professor down the road at the University of California, Davis, but he’s not the type to sit back with a book and highlighter. In his white polo shirt and glossy brown bomber jacket, he looks ready to tinker with the shiny invention behind him at knee-level at a moment’s notice. advertisement advertisement The dark blue saucer behind Moller features eight propellers encircling a small, one-person cockpit. Behold Moller’s new M200X—a vehicle reminiscent of the Jetson family’s green flying car that Moller says is almost ready for manned test flights. Cut to: Moller stands outside with the M200X in an open grassy field. The vehicle, tethered to a rope, powers up, whirring loudly. The saucer lifts slowly into the air, rocking back and forth unsteadily, before Moller and his team signal … [Read more...] about Paul Moller’s 50-year dream to build a flying car won’t die
PH internet speeds improved in July 2022 —Ookla
Internet speed (STOCK IMAGE) MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines saw an increase in internet download speeds anew in both fixed broadband and mobile, according to network speed analyst Ookla. In its Speedtest Global Index July 2022 report, Ookla said the Philippines’ fixed broadband median speed increased to 75.62 megabits per second (mbps) from the 68.94 mbps recorded in June. Average download speed for fixed broadband, meanwhile, clocked in at 102.93 mbps. Mobile median speed also increased as the Philippines yielded a download speed of 22.56 mbps in July from 21.41 mbps in June as the average download speed for mobile speed clocked in at 52.33 mbps, Ookla said. These increases improved the Philippines’ global rank in fixed broadband by seven notches and four notches in mobile. The country now ranks 46th out of 182 countries for fixed broadband and 84th out of 140 countries for mobile, according to Ookla’s report. The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) … [Read more...] about PH internet speeds improved in July 2022 —Ookla
SSS urges businesses in Iloilo to avail of its pandemic relief and restructuring scheme
FILE PHOTO: The Social Security System Building on East Avenue in Quezon City. Photo taken January 18, 2016. INQUIRER/NIÑO JESUS ORBETA ILOILO CITY — The Social Security System (SSS) here on Wednesday invited businesses to avail of its Pandemic Relief and Restructuring Program (PRRP) 3 to ensure employee benefits and avoid legal troubles. A Run Against Contribution Evaders (RACE) campaign team from the SSS’ Iloilo-central office conducted surprise visits to six businesses in the city proper to inform and remind them of their accountabilities. These six businesses, which range from food products and services to general merchandising, owed a total of P945,000.67, including P758,616 in principal liabilities and P186,384.67 in penalties. The team, led by Acting Vice President for Visayas West Area 2 Angelo Blancover and legal operations lawyer Bernardo Dofitas Jr., informed them of their respective accountabilities, and that they have until November 22 to avail of the PRRP 3. … [Read more...] about SSS urges businesses in Iloilo to avail of its pandemic relief and restructuring scheme
Police ready to secure students in Bicol on first day of classes
LEGAZPI CITY — The Philippine National Police in Bicol said Wednesday, August 17, that their troops are ready for deployment for the start of classes for the school year 2022-2023 on August 22. “The maximum deployment of personnel is part of the full implementation of security measures to assure the safety of students in the Bicol region,” Police Major Maria Luisa Calubaquib, Bicol police spokesperson, told Inquirer in a text message. She said Police Brigadier General Rudolph Botengan Dimas, Bicol police chief, also ordered the police force to conduct continuous mobile patrolling to increase police visibility that would thwart criminals and other lawless elements. As of Wednesday, the number of police personnel deployed for the school opening preparation is 1,022. They were deployed to 3,587 private and public schools in the region. The police also temporarily unarmed themselves to engage in brigada eskwela to help parents, teachers and various educational institutions clear … [Read more...] about Police ready to secure students in Bicol on first day of classes