Commentary: Telcos and the Public Service Act don’t mix
by Paco A. Pangalangan | originally published in The Philippine Star Here are two things we can probably agree on. First, we need to attract more foreign investment in order to generate more jobs and improve our economy. Second, we also need better internet infrastructure, for many reasons, but chief among them is to allow […]
Continuity of (Secure) Elections
On September 24, 2020 the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) presented its budget to the House of Representatives. In summary, just over 14 billion pesos of their proposed 30 billion budget was granted. This budget was intended not just for the regular operations of Comelec but also for its preparations for the upcoming 2022 elections. […]
Filipinos must be careful of China-backed Telco
Now six months into the COVID-19 induced lockdown, the importance of digital technologies in our daily lives has never been so evident. However, the potential of digital technologies is limited by our digital infrastructure, which, despite efforts from major Filipino telecom players, remains plagued by red tape, bureaucratic mismanagement, and inefficient and excessive permit processes. […]
The National Budget Must Prioritize Digital Infrastructures
Over the course of our nation’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, digital tools have proven to be vital in addressing both immediate and long-term needs. Online banking and e-commerce have facilitated the disbursement of social amelioration and have built a framework to allow business transactions to continue despite lockdown restrictions. Web-based collaboration software has allowed […]
Adoption of Technology to Combat Corruption
In the same way that digital solutions have allowed us to adapt to the “new normal,” technology, particularly that which harnesses the power of big data, has immense potential when it comes to addressing the systemic issues of corruption.