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NTC goes after sale of illegal text blaster machines
THE National Telecommunications Commission recently directed Facebook Marketplace, Shopee and Lazada to appear before the commission on Oct. 27 and explain in writing why they should not be held liable for the sale of illegal text blaster machines in their online shopping platforms. The commission has not authorized the importation, manufacture and sale/distribution of text blaster machines and similar equipment, which have been found on sale in the online shopping platforms of the three. “Any sale of such equipment appears to violate Act 3846 of The Radio Control Law as amended and various rules and regulations, e/g. NTC Memorandum Order 01-02-2013 entitled PROHIBITION OF PORTABLE CELLULAR MOBILE REPEATER AND PORTABLE CELLSITE EQUIPMENT,” the NTC said in a Show Cause Order signed by NTC Commissioner Gamaliel A. Cordoba and his deputies Edgardo Cabarios and Delilah Deles, sent to Facebook Marketplace, Shopee and Lazada. Text blaster machines can send 100,000 texts an hour. Only the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and other authorized state agencies in times of emergencies are exempted from their use. “In view thereof, your company is hereby directed to appear, as Respondent, before this Commission on 27 October 2021 at 10:00 a.m. and to explain in writing within fifteen (15) days from receipt of this Order why it should not be held liable for such violations as well as subject the violative products/equipment to CONFISCATE/FORFEITURE. The Commission said that failure of the three to answer within the period granted to them shall be considered a waiver of their rights to be heard, with the NTC rendering judgment as the law and evidence may warrant. “Upon receipt of this Order, respondents are hereby directed to cease and desist from selling the above-mentioned and similar equipment regulated by the commission,” the Show Cause Order continued. Last week, the NTC directed its Regulation Branch Director Imelda R. Walcien to investigate an “Emergency Alert” that may have used an illegal text blaster machine in an SMS blast indicating what appeared to be a message campaigning for one of the presidential candidates.
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Tesla Cybertruck winner bought 10 units of HONOR X9d 5G
2:56 p.m. April 21, 2026
Global leading AI device brand HONOR handed over the coveted Tesla Cybertruck to the winner of the HONOR X9d 5G “Win A Tesla Cybertruck” promo that ran during the toughest phone’s pre-order period January 9 to 23, 2026.
“The HONOR X9d 5G is our biggest win this year, and it continues to stand out in its category with its ultra-tough build, engineered to withstand everyday drops and pressure, making it a reliable companion for users with active lifestyles. This awarding marked a milestone not only for us, but also to our growing community of Filipino fans,” said HONOR Philippines Vice President Stephen Cheng.
Launched as part of HONOR’s effort to bring excitement to the Filipino market, the HONOR X9d 5G Win-A-Tesla Cybertruck promo captured nationwide attention, drawing strong participation from consumers eager to experience the smartphone’s exceptional durability, long-lasting battery life, and sleek design—while also getting a chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime prize.
The much-anticipated turnover celebrated excitement and the rewarding experience that HONOR continues to bring to its consumers. The grand winner, Lorelyn Felonia, who purchased 10 pieces of HONOR X9d 5G during the promo period, drove home not just a powerful smartphone but also one of the rarest vehicles in the world.
To award the multi-million prize were HONOR Philippines Country Manager Sean Yuan, Digital Marketing Manager and Content Lead Eason De Guzman.
With the successful conclusion of the campaign, HONOR Philippines looks forward to launching more exciting initiatives that combine cutting-edge technology with equally compelling rewards to its loyal HONOR fans.
To learn more about this exciting news, visit HONOR’s website www.hihonor.com, and follow HONOR Philippines on Facebook (Facebook.com/HonorPhilippines), Instagram (Instagram.com/honorph/) and TikTok: (Tiktok.com/@honorphilippines) for exclusive teasers, launch updates, and big reveal.
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#GCashTipidTips: DOTr-mandated 50% discounted MRT-3 fares can be availed via GCash
6:15 p.m. April 18, 2026
STARTING April 23, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has implemented a discounted fare matrix for single-journey tickets, stored-value cards, and cashless payments in response to rising consumer prices.
Passengers of Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) can easily avail of the discounted fare via the GCash app by using the GCash Commute QR, NFC-enabled Android phone, or GCash Visa card. Commuters can skip the ticketing booth lines and go directly to the platforms, making travel more convenient and seamless.
The GCash payment schemes have been up and running at MRT-3 since July last year, providing commuters with cashless options for their daily travels.
The goal is simple: to make everyday transactions more affordable, accessible, and seamless for Filipinos.
For more information, please visit https://help.gcash.com/hc/en-us/articles/49102305024025-Can-I-use-GCash-for-transportation
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DigiPlus levels up user engagement with ArenaPlus’ P1B Prediction Giveaway
5:10 p.m. April 7, 2026
DigiPlus Interactive Corp., the country’s pioneer and leader in digital entertainment, through its flagship sportsbook platform ArenaPlus, formally launched its P1 Billion Prediction Giveaway last Saturday, March 21, heralding a major step-up in its customer acquisition and retention strategy.
This initiative is anchored by a high-stakes prediction challenge designed to invite new users onto ArenaPlus, while also deepening player participation and reinforcing brand leadership in the Philippine online sportsbook space. Central to this campaign is the introduction of a localized tournament bracket game—a staple in American sports culture that ArenaPlus is pioneering for the local market.
“We want to bring some excitement for the Filipino basketball fans, especially since we know that the NBA is the most popular sport here. The bracket game is actually very common in the US. It’s been running there constantly for years, but the Philippines has never had that experience. We want to bring that here,” said ArenaPlus Head Erick Su.
By offering the ₱1 Billion Prediction Giveaway as a free-to-play initiative, DigiPlus enables fans to engage in the tournament without any monetary commitment. Su emphasized that the campaign is designed to provide a safe, entertainment-led experience, with the bracket format sustaining interest from the opening round of the Playoffs through the Finals, where one team ultimately prevails.
“I think the excitement will be from beginning to the end. Because the bracket game covers the whole stage of the Playoffs, fans can expand their predictions and go along with the whole process and expect that they can win,” Su said. “So that’s going to bring a lot of excitement. And this is completely free and very safe as we want to entertain Filipinos.”
Amplifying the campaign that launched at Mall of Asia Sky Deck Amphitheater in Pasay City was premier host and actor Luis “Lucky” Manzano, who was also introduced as ArenaPlus’ latest brand ambassador. Joining Manzano were fellow endorsers Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player Justin Brownlee, multi-time champion assistant coach Bong Ravena, and his son, international pro Thirdy, who are effectively raising ArenaPlus’ visibility while also broadening the brand’s demographic reach.
“At ArenaPlus, we are relentless with our commitment to elevate our players’ experience, making sports more fulfilling, more immersive, and more rewarding for every Filipino,” said ArenaPlus Marketing Head Hannah Bagui as ArenaPlus continues to differentiate itself by pioneering accessible digital sports entertainment.
While the campaign is designed to drive wide participation, ArenaPlus emphasized that it intends to maintain strict platform integrity through its rigorous eKYC (electronic Know Your Customer) process. Such a guardrail bolsters an already rich suite of responsible gaming tools built into ArenaPlus, such as options to set daily gaming durations, customize specific gaming schedules, and establish daily loss limits. This ensures that while the campaign achieves great reach, it does so within a secure, transparent, and compliant environment that builds trust.
Through these strategic customer activations and continuous platform innovation, DigiPlus Interactive Corp. continues to solidify its legacy as the definitive pioneer of the Philippine digital entertainment industry, driving growth while also redefining user engagement
