NEWS
Konektadong Pinoy Bill to create more jobs, bring internet costs down
4:22 p.m. June 23, 2025
The passage of the Konektadong Pinoy Bill into law is expected to generate new employment opportunities and significantly reduce internet prices in the country, according to an industry leader.
Joel Luis Dabao, former president of the Philippine Cable and Telecommunication Association (PCTA), said the Marcos administration’s target of cutting internet costs in the country by as much as 50 percent could become a reality through the measure.
“There are only a handful of players in that space. And if we have more, we can expect that cost to go down significantly,” Dabao said during a television interview.
Once enacted into law, Dabao expects the bill to spur digital investments in rural areas and help connect far-flung communities across the country.
By opening up the industry to more players, Dabao said more jobs will be created, particularly in far-flung areas where digital transformation can help drive economic growth and improve quality of life.
“We need it for everything. We want all of our government services to be online. We want our health to go online. We want learning to go online. We want people to start using AI. For all of these things, you need the internet,” Dabao said.
The Senate and the House of Representatives have ratified the bicameral conference committee report on the Konektadong Pinoy Act, and the measure is now awaiting the President’s approval.
Sen. Imee Marcos, principal author of Konektadong Pinoy, underscored the measure’s importance, saying it will end the outdated Congressional franchise requirement for data transmission providers.
The lawmaker said the move seeks to break the decades-long duopoly and open the door to more affordable, faster, and reliable internet, especially for far-flung and underserved communities.
“This is the moment for us to side with the masses and not the monopolies,” Senator Marcos urged.
Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco echoed the sentiment, saying the bill would boost broadband access, level the playing field for businesses, and drive economic growth.
“Our country will not have economic development if we have slow internet. This law will not only make connectivity faster, but it will also help level the playing field for businesses across the country,” Tiangco said.
DICT Secretary Henry Rhoel Aguda welcomed the measure, stating that it would help create a more inclusive and affordable digital ecosystem while accelerating the rollout of next-generation technologies, such as 5G.
He believes that President Marcos will sign it into law, noting that Konektadong Pinoy is among the priority legislation of the present administration, as agreed upon during the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) meeting.
Arsenio Balisacan, Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Secretary, described the measure as a “game changer” as it introduces comprehensive reforms designed to open the market, enhance competition, reduce network rollout costs, and increase the quality and availability of digital services.
“The bill removes the requirement for a legislative franchise to build and operate data transmission infrastructure. Instead, a streamlined registration or authorization process with the National Telecommunications Commission will make it easier for new players to enter the market, especially in underserved areas,” he said.
Dabao also allayed concerns that the measure might lead to an uneven playing field, saying the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) are empowered to establish standards that all players will be required to follow, including existing providers.
“So whatever they have to follow, the new players are going to have to follow as the law states very specifically,” he explained.
Having tracked the bill’s progress in the past eight years, Dabao expressed confidence that it contains sufficient guardrails that will protect the industry and allow regulators to quickly adapt to the sector’s evolving needs.
Dabao is optimistic that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will sign Konektadong Pinoy into law, despite concerns raised by some sectors.
“I think he is going to sign it. I mean, he may listen to some feedback, but I do hope that the bill comes out to do what it’s intended to do,” he said.
NEWS
SmarTrade Talks Financial Literacy with Future Business Leaders at National Teachers College
7:28 p.m. July 11, 2025
SmarTrade, a leader in empowering Filipinos with comprehensive financial education, trading insights, and market strategies, continues its university outreach initiatives to help young individuals make informed financial decisions and develop essential skills for their futures.
The company was at the National Teachers College (NTC) in Mendiola for the school’s “The Professional’s Playbook in Action” Leadership Series where Ed Saguibo, SmarTrade’s Head of Learning and Development, was invited as guest speaker for the special segment “LEFT BRAIN FOCUS: Financial Precision”.
Saguibo’s talk, attended by Business Administration students, focused on the timely and relevant topic of “Quantitative Decision Making and Identifying Poor Decisions in Financial Choices,” a critical area of knowledge for future professionals navigating today’s increasingly complex financial landscape. He emphasized how data-backed decisions can positively impact personal and business finances, providing technical insights combined with real-life scenarios and common decision-making pitfalls to offer practical tools that students can immediately apply.
“It’s not just about making smart decisions, it’s about making informed ones. When students learn how to analyze numbers and spot red flags in their financial behavior early on, they are better prepared to lead successful financial lives, whether as entrepreneurs, professionals, or investors,” said Saguibo.
This is SmarTrade’s third campus engagement for the year under its nationwide campaign P.A.R.T.N.E.R. Summit (Profitable Alliances: Reshaping Trading Networks for Endless Rewards), which aims to promote financial literacy and readiness among students and young professionals. The campaign is built around a vision of equipping Filipinos with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate and thrive in the trading and investment world. By incorporating school engagements, SmarTrade continues to lay the groundwork for a financially empowered generation.
“We’re proud to bring this advocacy to institutions like the National Teachers College,” said Joyce Mayo, President and CEO of SmarTrade. “Education is at the core of what we do, and through our P.A.R.T.N.E.R. campaign, we aim to go beyond trading to build a community of financially literate Filipinos. These students are the future, and it’s our role to help shape that future through opportunity and learning.”
To inquire on how your college, university, or student organization can be part of the P.A.R.T.N.E.R. Summit campaign, email events@smartrade.com.ph. To learn more about SmarTrade and its services, including free training sessions and personalized coaching, visit www.smartradeph.com or follow their official Facebook and Instagram pages.
NEWS
Political Pump makes waves at PH Blockchain Week
7:30 a.m. July 10, 2025
In a sea of short-lived hype cycles token launches, Political Pump is emerging as a cultural movement for the next generation of crypto enthusiasts. Showcased at Philippine Blockchain Week 2025, the platform brings a new, safer frontier for meme coin lovers, one where you can buy, hold, and sleep soundly.
Political Pump is not just another meme coin, it’s a decentralized collectible platform where political figures meet blockchain in a unique blend of satire, scarcity, and community governance. Each politician-based micro memecoin has a fixed supply and is launched without presales or insider allocations. True to the spirit of decentralization, 100% of liquidity is burned, ensuring fair, transparent, and tamper-proof tokenomics. It’s not just a token. It’s a conversation. A collectible. A piece of digital history.
(Photo from Philippine Blockchain Week: Jose Manuel Torres, Co-Founder of Political Pump)
“This isn’t just another meme coin. It’s a statement,” said Jose Manuel Torres, Co-Founder of Political Pump. “We launched without presales, private allocations, or team-controlled wallets. Every coin is market-driven, with all liquidity burned, ensuring there’s no room for manipulation. No secret deals, no backroom games—just pure, transparent crypto play. We don’t believe in governance tokens or centralized control. We believe the people should speak through the free market.”
From left to right: Chezka Gonzales, Vice President of Blockchain Council of the Philippines and Co Founder of Philippine Blockchain Week, Donnalyn Bartolome, multi-talented Filipina personality, Jose Manuel Torres, Co-Founder of Political Pump Political Pump piqued interest and stood out alongside other noteworthy innovations and meme coin activations at Philippine Blockchain Week 2025, a true celebration of culture, technology, and community-led finance. If you missed out, learn more by visiting www.politicalpump.com.
NEWS
Makati Business Club believes Customs chief Nepomuceno can reform, modernize agency
5:39 p.m. July 26, 2025
In a strong show of confidence from the country’s premier business group, Makati Business Club (MBC) Executive Director Rafael “Apa” Ongpin praised Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno during a recent high-profile interview, calling him a man of “great integrity” and a capable leader poised to reform and modernize the agency.
“We discussed him in Makati Business Club. Quite a few members are familiar with him — apparently, he came from the private sector. He has a good reputation,” Ongpin said, speaking on behalf of the business community’s early impressions of the newly appointed Customs chief.
Ongpin commended Nepomuceno’s intelligence and openness to innovation: “Apparently he’s very bright, he’s very up to date with technology — and he has great integrity. So, we have high hopes for this guy, Mr. Nepomuceno.”
Commissioner Nepomuceno, who previously held key roles in both government and the private sector, has been widely expected to bring a more results-oriented and transparent leadership style to the BOC. The endorsement from the MBC — an influential voice in Philippine economic policy and governance — adds momentum to ongoing reform efforts at Customs, long seen as a critical chokepoint in trade facilitation and anti-smuggling operations.
Observers note that such public praise from the business sector underscores the importance of trust and modernization in government institutions.
Commissioner Nepomuceno, meanwhile, has previously vowed to lead the BOC with transparency, digitalization, and accountability as top priorities.
SmarTrade Talks Financial Literacy with Future Business Leaders at National Teachers College
Political Pump makes waves at PH Blockchain Week
Shell empowers Filipino SMEs thru award-winning Fleet App
