Foundation for Media Alternatives Revisits Comelec Breach of 2016

Wazzup Pilipinas!

With two years already having elapsed since the Philippines’ biggest government data breach grabbed hold of global headlines, non-government organization, Foundation for Media Alternatives (FMA),has released a briefing paper providing a summarized account of the events surrounding the infamous hacking incident.The document proposes some major takeaways and action points, both on the part of government and the private sector.

When news of the so-called “Comeleak” first broke out, the ensuing public panic was exacerbated by wildly conflicting accounts from the Commission on Elections (Comelec), the hacker groups claiming responsibility for the incident (i.e., Anonymous Philippines and LulzSec Pilipinas), and law enforcement authorities. It would take a months-long investigation carried out by the then newly-minted National Privacy Commission (NPC) before some degree of clarity was achieved, through the agency’s December 2016 Decision, and the brief Preliminary Report it issued a few months prior.

If one recalls, the NPC found the Comelec and its then-Chairman, Andres Bautista, both liable for violating a number of provisions of the country’s Data Privacy Act (DPA). It went so far as to recommend to the Department of Justice the filing of criminal charges against Bautista, whilemaking no other findings of liability on the part of the other respondents initially named in the case.

With the case now pending before the appellate court, the world has since bore witness to a number of other election- or voter-related data crises. Mexico and the U.S., for instance, suffered even bigger information leaks just weeks after the incident. Then just these past month, thisFacebook-Cambridge Analytica controversy has highlighted anew the extent by which misuse of data—even as innocuous as that shared via online quizzes—can threaten the very foundations of a democratic society.

In its paper, FMA looks back at that historic moment before suggesting to the various stakeholders some steps it deems necessary to prevent similar privacy breaches in the future, namely:

•        All Filipinos need to take data privacy seriously.
•     The NPC must be competent (from the Commission proper down to its operations staff), well-resourced, and independent.
•        Additional data protection policies must be developed to help government agencies and the private sector comply with the DPA.
•        State capacity in other areas (e.g., cybersecurity, cybercrime investigations, etc.) should also improve.
•        Extreme caution should be observed when dealing with data-intensive systems.
•        Civil society must continue advocating for privacy and data protection measures in government and the private sector.

These measures become even more relevant today as the Philippines prepares for another set of elections.

BDO Leasing, First Privately-owned Financial Institution to Finance Modern Jeeps

Wazzup Pilipinas!

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'ModernJeepneys' coming soon in streets near you.

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State-of-the-art jeepneys will soon ply the Metro Manila route—and eventually the rest of the country—with BDO Leasing and Finance, Inc. (BDOLF) at the driver's seat of this trailblazing milestone.

A subsidiary of BDO Unibank that caters to the leasing and financing market, BDOLF became the first privately-owned financial institution in the country to enter into a loan agreement to finance modern public utility jeepneys (PUJs), in connection with the jeepney modernization program of the government. As of now, Landbank of the Philippines and Development Bank of the Philippines are the only two banks that have allocated funding specifically for the jeepney modernization program.

Under this program, the government plans to replace all old PUJs aged 15 years or older with environment-friendly jeepneys that have safety features to promote safer and more environment-friendly transport options. Based on an initial study done by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), around 180,000 jeepeys nationwide face replacement under the program.

BDOLF partnered with Transport Equipment Aggregator and Management, Inc. (1-TEAM), a company that manages and consolidates PUVs under a unified management system, to provide funding for five units of modern jeepneys or BEEP (shortened name forBagong Jeep).

Incidentally, the BEEPs will be supplied by IKK Ichigan, Inc., a former BDOLF client and an existing BDO commercial banking client.

1-TEAM is the first and only fleet management company in the country to consolidate around 30 individual PUJs under a single fleet system.  Its services include the provision of logistical support, manpower selection and training, equipment repair and maintenance, and the operation of public land transport services such as but not limited to, jeepneys, taxis, buses and UV express vans.

Each BEEP unit is air-conditioned and powered by a Euro IV compliant diesel engine.  With a size almost as big as a mini bus, each BEEP unit will also have a seating capacity of 24 passengers plus driver and will be have various safety features such as a speed limiter, closed-circuit television camera, Global Positioning System, dashboard camera, and outfitted with an automated fare collection system.

The units shall be deployed to various SM Mall Terminals to provide public utility jeepney shuttle service. At present, a number of PUJ units of 1-TEAM are already providing shuttle services from SM Mall Terminals to various end points. Among these terminals are SM City Baguio, SM City Clark, SM City Marikina, SM City Sta. Mesa and SM City Fairview.

Develop Creative “Cheeseventions” with Cheez Whiz!

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Moms, did you know that it’s important to help develop kids’ creativity? Being creative does not only mean they will be good in doing art, it also helps develop them mentally, socially and emotionally. It is every mom's important role to foster creativity in their child in every way they can.

What is a better idea to foster creativity than to let them create their everyday snacks?

Cheez Whiz, the number one cheese spread in the country, has been spreading goodness during snack time for over 50 years. What makes it the leading cheese spread in the county is its thickness and amazing cheesy flavor.

Cheez Whiz' thickness is an explosion of flavor that goes with everything. Cheez Whiz is not only for making Creamy Cheesy Sandwiches but for creating different “Cheeseventions” snacks as well.  Kids of all ages can enjoy creating and mixing Cheez Whiz with other ingredients. Its two amazing flavors Original and Pimiento can drive kid’s imagination to create snacks! Make a sandwich tower! Cheez Whiz Mac and Cheese!  Use Cheez Whiz as a dip! The possibilities are endless!

Here’s one example moms and kids can create:

Solar Cheestem:
A delicious snack that’s out of this world!

Ingredients:
* Cupcakes
* Cheez Whiz 220g
* Planet toppers

Procedure:
Spread thick Cheez Whiz on top of the cupcakes.
Lay out the Solar System placemat on the table.
Place a cupcake on each planet outline.
Stick the toppers into the cupcakes.

Now, it’s time to create your Cheeseventions and submit them at cheeseventions.com for a chance to win 10,000 pesos and be featured in the Cheez Whiz (@CheezWhizPH) Facebook page.