DOST, AAP Sign MOU to Strengthen Use of Analytics and AI in PH

(From left) DOST ASTI Dir. Franz De Leon, DOST Sec. Renato U. Solidum, Jr., AAP President Michelle Alarcon and AAP Secretay Lee Carlo Abadia. 

29 June 2026 – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Analytics and Artificial Intelligence Association of the Philippines (AAP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to accelerate the development, adoption, and responsible use of artificial intelligence and data analytics across the nation.

Held at the DOST Central Office in Bicutan, Taguig, the signing establishes a framework for collaboration among government, academia, and the private sector to strengthen the country’s digital and scientific ecosystem.

The partnership directly supports the implementation of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy for the Philippines (NAIS-PH), which was approved by the President in May 2025. This framework serves as a blueprint to guide coordinated efforts across government, academe, industry, and civil society in advancing local AI innovation.

By combining public-sector research capabilities with private-sector industry insights, the collaboration aims to bridge the gap between high-level policy and real-world execution.

"DOST's partnership with the AAP is built on years of trusted collaboration. Through this MOU, we reaffirm our shared commitment to ensuring that the Philippines keeps pace with the AI revolution…As we enter a new era of purpose and possibility, this partnership will bridge scientific innovation and societal transformation. AI will not replace human intelligence—it will amplify it, enabling us to solve problems faster, make better decisions, and create greater impact”, said DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum, Jr.

AAP President Michelle Alarcon emphasized the strategic alignment between the two organizations: “The country already has its direction: the NAIS-PH. A strategy gives us the map, but a map needs two things to become real—the reach to carry it across the country, and the connection to the people who will actually use it. Neither of us can supply both alone. That is the whole point of this MOU…DOST brings what only DOST can: the rigor of science and the reach of government. AAP brings what we are built to bring: the practitioners who work with these tools every day, and the stakeholders who have a direct stake in how this strategy unfolds. Put those together and you get implementation that is both serious and grounded.”

Under the newly signed framework, DOST will provide overarching policy direction and strategic guidance. Its research and development arm, the DOST–Advanced Science and Technology Institute (DOST-ASTI), will serve as the primary technical and implementing partner, leading AI research and development initiatives.  On the other hand, AAP will mobilize its vast network of professionals, academic institutions, enterprises, and technology partners. The association will provide industry use cases, drive cross-sector collaboration, support workforce upskilling, and promote the responsible development and adoption of AI technologies.

This strategic alliance marks a pivotal milestone in positioning the Philippines as a competitive hub for big data, data science, and artificial intelligence.

Grand Westside Manila Bay Celebrates Two Yearsof Hospitality with “Chapter Two”

Grand Westside Manila Bay marks its second anniversary with Chapter Two, a month-long celebration of dining, leisure, and lifestyle experiences that reflects the hotel's journey of creating memorable moments for guests, families, friends, and the community it serves.

Since opening its doors, Grand Westside Manila Bay has welcomed guests from around the world and established itself as one of the leading hospitality destinations in Manila Bay. Recognized as the largest hotel in the Philippines with 1,530 rooms, the hotel continues to earn strong guest reviews across major travel platforms, reflecting its commitment to service excellence, comfort, and memorable guest experiences.

"Our second anniversary is a meaningful milestone for all of us at Grand Westside Manila Bay," said Joe Xavier Fijardo, General Manager. "In just two years, we have welcomed thousands of guests, celebrated important milestones with our community, and built lasting relationships with our guests, partners, and team members. Chapter Two is our way of thanking everyone who has been part of our journey while inviting them to create new memories with us."

At the heart of the celebration are the hotel's dining and leisure destinations, each offering a distinct experience. Café by Westside serves international buffet selections and comfort favorites for all-day dining. LaMeza showcases contemporary Filipino cuisine inspired by local flavors and culinary traditions. Zabana Bar provides a relaxed setting for cocktails and conversations, while The Plunge offers refreshing poolside dining and drinks. For guests on the go, Quick To Go features coffee, pastries, and convenient takeaway options.

"Food has always been one of the ways people connect, celebrate, and create memories together," said Chef Christopher Lugtu, Executive Chef of Grand Westside Manila Bay. "For Chapter Two, we wanted to create experiences that bring people together, whether it's a leisurely breakfast, a special dinner, gathering over good food and drinks with friends, or simply enjoying coffee and pastries during a busy day. Every outlet has its own personality, but they all share the same goal of creating memorable experiences for our guests."

From June 22 to July 21, 2026, guests can enjoy specially curated anniversary offers across the hotel's dining outlets and leisure facilities.

Come Back for More: Breakfast Receipt Rewards

Guests who avail of the breakfast buffet are automatically entitled to same-day dining privileges. Enjoy 25% off the total bill for lunch or 20% off the total bill for dinner, valid within the day of breakfast consumption.

A Table for Two: Signature Surf & Turf Experience

LaMeza presents a specially curated dining set featuring its signature Surf & Turf at PHP 2,200 per person. Guests may elevate the experience with a wine upgrade at PHP 622 per person, inclusive of two glasses of house wine.

Swim. Sip. Savor.

Designed for relaxation and indulgence, this leisure package is available at PHP 1,500 per person and includes pool access, PHP 700 consumable food credit, and a choice of signature mocktail or cocktail at The Plunge.

Happy Hour Extended at Zabana Bar

Guests may enjoy a relaxed afternoon and early evening with Buy 2, Get 1 Free on selected cocktails, available daily from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Zabana Bar.

Coffee Break at Quick To Go

Perfect for a quick treat, guests may enjoy Buy 2 pastries and Get 1 coffee free, available daily throughout the celebration period. This offer is valid for take-out orders only.

As Grand Westside Manila Bay celebrates its second anniversary, Chapter Two reflects the hotel's continuing commitment to warm hospitality, meaningful guest experiences, and memorable dining moments. More than a celebration of the past two years, it is an invitation to be part of the next chapter of the hotel's story as it continues to grow and welcome guests from around the world.

To learn more about Chapter Two and the hotel's anniversary offers, guests may call +63 917 120 2815, email dine@grandwestsidemanila.com, or visit www.grandwestsidemanila.com.

About Grand Westside Manila Bay is one of the largest hotels in the Philippines, offering over 1,500 rooms and suites in the heart of Westside City, Parañaque. Designed for both business and leisure travelers, the hotel features contemporary accommodations, versatile meeting and event spaces, modern wellness facilities, and a range of dining experiences.

Guests can enjoy international and local flavors at Café by Westside, the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant known for its diverse buffet selections and halal-certified offerings. LaMeza showcases modern Filipino cuisine inspired by local flavors and culinary traditions, while Zabana offers a relaxed setting for coffee, light refreshments, and casual meetings. For poolside dining and refreshing beverages, Plunge provides a vibrant outdoor venue overlooking the hotel’s leisure facilities.

Conveniently located near Entertainment City, SM Mall of Asia, and Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Grand Westside Manila Bay offers warm Filipino hospitality and a stay made easy.

The US caused Covid Pandemic, not China, the US government revealed today

“It's time the American people learn the real story," spy chief Tulsi Gabbard in a sensation-causing video released on X and a statement on the internet.

And what a story it is.

TRUTH AT LAST

The US spent millions to finance a lab in China’s Wuhan to experiment on killer viruses.  

The research was on a technique called “gain of function” which some people see as weaponization of the viruses. 

That research is “now widely viewed as the source of the unintentional lab leak that sparked the pandemic,” said Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence.

“This dangerous research caused immeasurable harm and countless lost lives,” she added.

PREFERRED NARRATIVE

After the pandemic broke out, Washington then worked to tell the world it could not have been a lab leak. 

The preferred story circulating at the time was to say that animal-to-human transmission evolved in China due to the circumstances there.

But the evidence tells a different tale, the US spy chief said, releasing a new batch of top secret documents today, her last day in office.

120 BIOLABS

The story begins with the US quietly setting up 120 biological laboratories across more than 30 countries. Some of these laboratories were involved in research on hazardous pathogens, she said.

Dr Anthony Fauci, while serving as head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, sent millions of dollars of US taxpayer cash to be spent on bat coronaviruses at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, she said.

In 2019, the Covid-19 virus apparently emerged in several locations around the world—but was first formally detected by scientists in Wuhan, China, at the end of 2019.

It was soon found all over the world. The “pandemic caused tremendous hardship and pain for millions,” Gabbard said.

PREFERRED NARRATIVE

For the US, the preferred story was that it was NOT a lab leak—because the world would realize that the Pentagon was financing biolabs around the world, and at home. 

People raising the alarm about the biolabs were accused of “pushing Russian and Chinese disinformation”.

When the existence of the labs could not be denied, the BBC and other media reported that they were “peaceful labs” which were financed for entirely positive reasons—a line that Pentagon-watchers found hard to swallow. 

LIED ABOUT INTELLIGENCE CONNECTION

Fauci worked with senior intelligence agents in the early days of the pandemic to shape the narrative but lied about it, Gabbard said.

In his testimony before the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic in 2024, he was asked under oath whether he had communicated with intelligence agencies concerning viral research before, during or after the pandemic. 

Fauci replied: "Not to my knowledge, about COVID."

In January 2025, many people were puzzled when Former President Joe Biden issued “a pre-emptive pardon” to Fauci. Pardons, by definition, are given to people who have broken the law—but this had not happened at that time.

.

TREMENDOUS HARDSHIP

Gabbard is retiring to spend more time with her husband, who has cancer.

But she wanted to get the truth about this subject out there before she disappeared. She says the evidence indicates US-funded research was the root of the problem.

"The COVID-19 pandemic caused tremendous hardship and pain for millions of our fellow Americans and for countless people around the world,” she said.

Links to her statement and the documents are provided below.

SSS Members Enjoy Free Instapay Transfers, Go Lauds RCBC

Manila, Philippines  –  Finance Secretary and Social Security Commission (SSC) Chairman Frederick D. Go has lauded RCBC for extending unlimited free InstaPay fund transfers to millions of Social Security System members through the MySSS Card powered by RCBC DiskarTech, describing  the  initiative  as  another  milestone  in  making  digital  financial  services  more affordable, accessible, and inclusive for Filipinos.  

The initiative enables active SSS members, pensioners, and beneficiaries using the MySSS Card powered  by  RCBC  DiskarTech  to  enjoy  unlimited free InstaPay transfers through the RCBC DiskarTech app. By eliminating transfer fees, members are able to keep more of their money, allowing every peso saved to be used for their daily needs, savings, or investments.  

 

Since launch in October last year, over P2.4 billion in SSS benefits have been disbursed to its members through the RCBC DiskarTech digital platform, providing members with a fast, secure, and convenient way to receive their benefits while enabling millions of Filipinos to participate in the country’s growing digital economy.  

Go underscored the value of the partnership between government and the private sector.  

“This initiative shows how collaboration can deliver real benefits to Filipinos. Every peso saved from free digital transfers is of additional value for SSS members while supporting our goal of accelerating digital payments and financial inclusion as envisioned by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.,” Go said.  

RCBC Executive Vice President and Chief Innovations and Inclusion Officer Lito Villanueva said the  initiative  reflects  RCBC’s  commitment  to  making  digital  banking  more  rewarding  and accessible. 

“Close to ₱2.5 billion in SSS benefits have already been credited through RCBC DiskarTech accounts.  By  offering  unlimited  free  InstaPay  transfers, we are rewarding customer loyalty, helping  members  maximize  every  peso  they  receive,  and  making  digital  banking  more accessible for millions of Filipinos,” Villanueva said.  

SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Joseph M. de Claro emphasized the value that the initiative brings to members.  

“Our partnership with RCBC goes beyond benefit disbursement. It gives SSS members a safe, convenient,  and  affordable  way  to  manage  their  finances  while  encouraging  greater participation in the digital economy. And soon, this facility will offer SSS loans digitally.”  

The free InstaPay initiative builds on the successful collaboration between SSS and RCBC in providing members with a secure and feature rich digital banking platform through the MySSS Card powered by RCBC DiskarTech.  

Beyond receiving benefits and loan proceeds, cardholders can instantly transfer funds, pay bills, purchase prepaid load, save money, and access a growing suite of digital financial services through the RCBC DiskarTech app without paying InstaPay transfer fees. 

The  initiative  also  supports  the  Philippine  government’s continued push toward a cash lite economy  by  encouraging  greater  adoption  of  secure,  affordable,  and  interoperable  digital payment channels while expanding financial inclusion for millions of Filipinos.  

RCBC was awarded as the SSS Balikat ng Bayan’s Best Disbursement Partner-Digital Category for  three  consecutive  years  for the highest volume of benefits disbursed through its RCBC DiskarTech platform.  

Rizal  Commercial  Banking  Corporation (RCBC)  is  one  of  the  top  banks  in  the Philippines. Currently ranked as the fifth largest privately owned bank in the country, RCBC offers a full range of financial products and services to individuals and businesses nationwide for 65 years and counting.  Recognized  as  the  Best  Bank  for  Digital  and  Best  Bank  for  Customer  Experience,  RCBC continues to drive innovation through customer-focused, technology-driven solutions. The bank is a proud member of the Yuchengco Group of Companies (YGC), one of Southeast Asia’s most established conglomerates.  

ASEAN concludes historic negotiations for the Digital Economy Framework Agreement

In a landmark development for regional integration, ASEAN Member States have successfully concluded negotiations for the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) on May 29, 2026. The milestone was achieved during the Second ASEAN Senior Economic Officials’ Meeting for the 57th Meeting of the ASEAN Economic Ministers (SEOM 2/57) held in Manila.

 

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque, who also serves as the 2026 Chair of the ASEAN Economic Community Council, welcomed the successful conclusion of the talks.

 

“The completion of the DEFA negotiations is a historic milestone for ASEAN, demonstrating the remarkable progress we can achieve through unity and shared purpose,” Secretary Roque said. “Following the steadfast leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the guidance of ASEAN Leaders at the Summit in Cebu earlier this month, the conclusion of DEFA highlights how regional solidarity can unlock new avenues for growth and deliver tangible benefits to our people. This achievement not only sets a new benchmark for ASEAN’s digital transformation but also builds a foundation for a more inclusive and innovative future for all.”

 

The conclusion of the DEFA negotiations marks a major achievement for the Philippines’ 2026 ASEAN Chairship, which had identified the signing of the agreement as a Priority Economic Deliverable (PED). As ASEAN Member States begin domestic legal processes ahead of the expected signing at the 49th ASEAN Summit in November 2026, the DEFA is poised to become the region’s most comprehensive agreement on the digital economy.

 

This landmark pact aims to accelerate regional digital transformation and economic integration by strengthening cooperation in digital trade, cross-border e-commerce, electronic payments, digital identities, cybersecurity, data governance, and emerging technologies. This will empower businesses and consumers to participate more confidently in the digital marketplace.

 

"For the Philippines, the DEFA is set to bring real benefits to everyday Filipinos,” Secretary Roque emphasized. “It will help attract new investments, encourage innovation, and improve productivity nationwide. The DEFA is expected to empower local businesses, especially MSMEs, by opening up more opportunities and supporting job creation across the country. Most importantly, it will help ensure that the digital transformation is inclusive—so that more Filipinos can take part in and benefit from a safer, more connected digital economy."

 

Secretary Roque also added that under the agreement, ASEAN Member States will enforce robust personal data protections and online consumer safeguards, ensuring a trusted and conducive business environment for regional digital trade.

 

The DEFA directly complements the DTI’s 5-Point MSME Agenda, particularly its focus on advancing digitalization, expanding market access, strengthening innovation, and equipping Filipino enterprises with the tools and opportunities needed to compete in an increasingly digital economy.

 

The agreement comes at a crucial time for the Philippine digital economy, which continues to see sustained growth. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the country’s digital economy reached P2.25 trillion in 2024, contributing 8.5% to the national GDP and supporting approximately 11.3 million jobs.

 

Furthermore, the latest “e-Conomy SEA 2025 Report” by Google, Temasek, and Bain & Company estimates that the Philippine digital economy reached $36 billion in 2025, driven largely by the expansion of e-commerce, digital payments, and online services.

At the regional level, the implementation of the DEFA is projected to help double the value of ASEAN’s digital economy, driving it from approximately $1 trillion to $2 trillion by 2030.