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Farmers oppose seed changes

Farmer groups and their civil society allies will gather at the Agriculture Ministry on Wednesday to oppose draft legal changes that would align Thailand with an international convention granting plant breeders stronger intellectual property rights over new seed varieties.

The groups warn the changes could curb farmers’ rights to save, share and exchange seeds.

The move follows a petition submitted last week by 146 civil society groups to a Senate committee, urging scrutiny of the government’s push to join the 1991 Act of the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV 1991) as part of Thailand-EU free trade negotiations next week in Phuket.

Prokchon Usap, director of Biothai, said the groups would submit a letter to the ministry opposing any move towards accession.

“The ministry should immediately stop any attempt to amend the Plant Varieties Protection Act BE 2542 to bring it into line with UPOV 1991,” she said, warning farmers could become more dependent on buying seeds and the market, particularly for rice seed, could become concentrated among large companies.

Sorawut Nuengchamnong, secretary to the Agriculture Ministry, said farmers would not be affected by accession because the convention applies to newly developed protected varieties, while varieties not protected by breeders’ rights could still be saved and shared.

He said stronger breeders’ rights could improve Thailand’s seed-breeding capacity and exports.

OpenAI said to have been nearing AI deal with Anthropic

OpenAI and Anthropic have been negotiating a deal to “stress-test” each other’s artificial intelligence models, the Information reported on Monday, citing a person with direct knowledge of the talks.

According to the report, the two AI companies were looking into an agreement to test their models and search for any potential vulnerabilities or security risks, but it is unclear whether they finalized the agreement before OpenAI experienced several security incidents, including one of its AI models escaping a secure test environment and hacking Hugging Face, and its agents attacking the software service RubyGems.

The proposed deal would reportedly give each company access to the other’s APIs for commercially available AI models, excluding unreleased models, with both agreeing not to retain each other’s data. The report added that OpenAI has been considering several scenarios for working with the government on safety, and that it weighed new safety practices targeting the period before models are trained and released.

BSP must check more inflation, growth data

EVEN against the backdrop of a weak local currency and the resurgence of global oil prices, the central bank still has to scrutinize more data on inflation, growth, exchange rate and capital flows as it must be sure to maintain ‘sufficient interest-rate support,’ according to a former Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) deputy governor.

‘The challenge for the BSP is to maintain sufficient interest-rate support without making the cost of capital so high that it begins to damage the very growth and investment that the economy needs,’ former BSP Deputy Governor Diwa C. Guinigundo told the BusinessMirror in a Viber message.

Asked if the central bank should continue raising interest rates given the weak local currency and high oil prices, Guinigundo said the BSP ‘should be data-dependent,’ hence the need to gather more data on inflation and growth, exchange rate and capital flows.

This, the former BSP deputy governor stressed, as he weighed the advantages of raising the policy rate further against the risks that would come with further tightening.

Guinigundo explained that a higher rate can strengthen the peso, anchor inflation expectations and support portfolio flows.

However, he pointed out that if the policy rate ‘stays high for too long,’ it can ‘unnecessarily suppress domestic demand, investment and employment.’

‘In short, a relatively high rate can buy monetary and exchange-rate stability, but it comes at a cost,’ added the former central bank deputy governor.

Moving forward, Guinigundo said it is more important to look at the real policy rate and interest-rate differential after adjusting for inflation and exchange-rate expectations rather than the nominal policy rate alone.

‘That distinction is particularly important now because the BSP is already dealing with both inflationary pressures and peso weakness; its recent decision explicitly cited the need to anchor inflation expectations and mitigate broader price pressures,’ he also told this newspaper.

In an earlier commentary, the former central bank deputy governor explained that the issue is not simply whether the BSP should raise, hold or eventually cut its policy rate.

‘The more fundamental question is whether monetary policy is sufficiently restrictive in real terms to bring inflation back to target and keep expectations firmly anchored,’ Guinigundo noted.

The Monetary Board, the highest policy-making body of the BSP, has raised the key interest rate by a total of 75 basis points since the start of the conflict in the Middle East, delivering three separate quarter-point rate hikes at the Monetary Board’s rate-setting meetings held on April 23, June 18, and August 27.

These policy actions brought the Target Reverse Repurchase (RRP) Rate to 5 percent.

Cyprus-Egypt cooperation in defence and security discussed during Palmas’ meeting with El-Sisi

Cyprus Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas met with President of the Arab Republic of Egypt Abdel Fattah Saeed Hussein Khalil El-Sisi on Tuesday morning during his visit to the country for the Trilateral Meeting of the Defence Ministers of Cyprus, Greece and Egypt.

According to a post by the Minister on X, during his meeting with the Egyptian President, Palmas reiterated the importance that the Republic of Cyprus attaches to further strengthening its close relations with Egypt, highlighting the substantive strategic dimension that bilateral cooperation between the two countries has acquired in the fields of defence and security.

Defunct Aya Hotel faces property attachment over Shs259m Sanlam debt

Gym equipment belonging to the defunct Aya Hotel faces attachment and possible sale to recover a debt of approximately Shs259 million owed to an insurance company.

The equipment on the hotel premises was recently cleared for attachment after the Kampala Central Police Station received a court warrant authorising a bailiff to seize and sell movable property belonging to Aya Investments Ltd.

‘Attached here is a copy of a court decree and warrant of attachment and sale of movable property in execution granted by the High Court of Uganda at Kampala (Commercial Division) to Basaija David, a court bailiff, with instructions to attach the property of Aya Investment Ltd,’ the police notice reads in part.

The development follows a dispute arising from insurance policies that Aya obtained from Sanlam General Insurance between 2018 and 2019.

According to lawyers from Irumba and Co Advocates, who represent Sanlam, an earlier attempt by court bailiffs to attach the property about two weeks ago was unsuccessful after the hotel requested a meeting with the bailiffs.

The lawyers said the meeting, reportedly scheduled for last Thursday, failed to take place.

‘We are left with no option but to go back and attach the equipment because Sanlam wants to recover its money,’ Mr Kassim Kyagulanyi, the court bailiff tasked with executing the attachment, said on Tuesday.

He noted that the initial attempt to execute the warrant was complicated by tight security at the Aya premises.

Court records show that Aya obtained several insurance policies from Sanlam, including workers’ compensation and fidelity guarantee coverage.

Sanlam later sued the hotel over its alleged failure to pay insurance premiums amounting to about Shs178 million, despite repeated demands and reminders.

On June 23, 2022, Justice Jeanne Rwakakooko ordered Aya to pay Sanlam $38,773 and Shs33 million.

However, Sanlam later stated that efforts to execute the judgment and recover the money had yielded no results.

The insurer subsequently sought enforcement of the court decree, culminating in the warrant authorising the attachment and sale of Aya’s movable property.

Liquidation attempt

In 2023, Sanlam filed an application before the Commercial Court seeking a declaration that Aya was unable to pay its debts under Section 3(1)(b) of the Insolvency Act, 2011, and requested that the court facilitate the appointment of a liquidator.

Liquidation involves the realization of a company’s assets to settle its liabilities before the company is eventually wound up.

Aya Hotel, once one of Kampala’s most prominent luxury hotels, has faced severe financial difficulties for several years.

In 2023, newspaper advertisements warned that the 296-room hotel could be auctioned over an outstanding loan acquired by businessman Mohammed Hamid from the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa.

Auctioneers from Armstrong Limited had advertised the property for sale, describing the hotel as a 23-story facility sitting on approximately 32,000 square meters of land.

The hotel was initially constructed as Hilton Kampala ahead of the 2007 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) hosted by Uganda.

It was part of efforts to expand Kampala’s hotel room capacity to 4,000 ahead of the summit, at a time when the country faced a shortage of accommodation for thousands of delegates and visitors.

The facility was later rebranded as Aya Hotel, but it has since fallen into disuse, with its once-prominent status in Kampala’s hospitality industry significantly diminished.

His prose resembled poetry

PLEASE pray for the eternal repose of the soul of Recah Trinidad, who had passed on at 83 on Sept. 13 after a heart attack.

My mentor, idol and glass mate for the longest time, Recah was one of the best sports writers and sports columnists-if not the best-this country has ever produced.

If America had Jim Murray, Red Smith or Jimmy Cannon as icons of sports writing, the Philippines has only Recah Trinidad to match their combined talents.

Recah’s ‘Bare Eye’ columns appeared for decades at the Inquirer, chronicling, commentating on, sporting events and personalities in a unique manner that kept many readers mostly enthralled.

A rabid anti-cliché, Recah loved crafting original lines, embellishing his pieces with imagery rarely found among his peers.

His prose resembled poetry so that his brand of journalism bordered on literature. Maybe because he was a Palanca awardee in poetry in 1978?

His two books were classic examples of how to write with exactness, churning out words, sentences and paragraphs without word wastage.

His first book was about the Pasig River-the beloved river of his youth in Mandaluyong City where he was born and raised. His second book was about Manny Pacquiao’s epic rise from abject poverty to boxing stardom and unimaginable wealth.

We covered together Pacquiao’s conquest by knockout of Erik Morales in 2006 in Las Vegas, Nevada, 21 years after our coverage of San Miguel Beer’s phenomenal stint in the World Club Basketball Championship in Girona, Spain, in 1985.

Our last overseas joust together was the 2000 Sydney Olympics, where Recah brought kambing adobo for pulutan at the Olympic Village.

But the one trait that amply put Recah to a pedestal was his love for what the American Indians call the ‘crazy water’ aka alcohol. His writing skill was matched only by his drinking prowess.

There were nights when fellow sportswriter Ding Marcelo and I tried to ‘out-drink’ Recah. It was all in vain.

Only once did I beat Recah, when he simply slumped on the table and fell asleep. At maybe 4 in the morning.

Recah must have gulped all kinds of drinks the world had to offer: beer, wine, whiskey, brandy, cognac, rhum, gin, bourbon, champagne, sake, soju. Sky was the limit.

Eventually, Torres brandy of Spain became his lifetime pal.

It was through Recah that I had met and clinked glasses with literary giants like Nick Joaquin, Pete Lacaba, Greg Brilliantes, Wilfrido ‘Ding’ Nolledo and Erwin Castillo.

Danny Dalena, the quintessential painter, also became a very close friend of mine because he was friends with Recah.

Recah was tone-deaf but on drunken nights, he’d suddenly belt out Elvis Presley’s ‘Are You Lonesome Tonight’ with gusto. A ca pella.

‘Let It Be’ was his favorite Beatles song.

There will never be another Recah Trinidad. He was as original as Michael Jordan.

THAT’S IT Tickets are sold out for my good friend Richard Reynoso’s historic concert on Saturday, Sept. 26, at Teatrino, Promenade, Greenhills in San Juan City. Historic because it will mark the balladeer’s 40th year in a singing journey punctuated by unparalleled excellence in a highly-competitive world of glitz and glamor. Richard, also a distinguished Board Member of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board, has a high-impact cast of guest singers that include Chad Borja, Andrea Guttierez, VR Caballero, Jay-R Dizon and Rannie Raymundo, among others. Show starts promptly at 8 p.m. Cheers!

Special tourism development study visit for Heads of Foreign Missions

Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Ministry has conducted a special tourism development study visit spanning three days for Heads of Foreign Missions based in Colombo.

On the first day of the visit, the participants visited Pasikuda beach. A dinner featuring traditional dances reflecting the cultural identity of the Eastern Province was held later that evening. Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath also attended the dinner. Addressing the gathering, the Minister highlighted the strategic importance and economic potential of the Eastern Province. The participants also visited an exhibition featuring products by small and medium-scale handicraft producers.

The delegation also visited the Eravur Export Processing Zone in the morning. They then visited the Seruwawila Buddhist Temple, where they participated in Buddhist religious observances. The delegation later visited the Koneswaram Hindu Temple and took part in Hindu religious observances.

An Investment Forum was held at the DSK Hotel in Trincomalee that evening, with the participation of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra.

On the third and final day, the delegation visited the Naval Dockyard in Trincomalee and took part in a boat ride. They later visited the Naval Museum. The delegation is scheduled to leave for Colombo at the end of the day.

The three-day visit aims to showcase the cultural, economic, investment and tourism potential of the Eastern Province to the international community, while promoting new opportunities for investment, tourism development and regional cooperation.

Caribbean Africa Chamber of Commerce Strengthens Trade Investment and Health Links Across Three Regions

London, United Kingdom Sep 20, 2026 (Issuewire.com) – CARIBBEAN GLOBAL AWARDS LAUNCHES – The Caribbean Africa Chamber of Commerce (CACC)

Operating under The Caribbean Africa Chamber of Commerce (CACC), the Caribbean Global Awards brand and endorsed by Ghana’s Diaspora Affairs Office, CACC launches a governance-led gateway connecting Africa, the Caribbean and North America.

Africa Caribbean And Global Diaspora United | 19 September 2026

The Caribbean Africa Chamber of Commerce (CACC), operating under the Caribbean Global Awards brand, today announced the expansion of its governance-led platform connecting African nations, the Caribbean and the global diaspora. Its 2026 regional launch programme will begin in Ghana from 10 to 17 October and continue in Nigeria from 30 November to 5 December, alongside a new Health Knowledge Exchange linking North America, the Caribbean and Africa.

CACC has been established to convert longstanding cultural and diaspora connections into practical economic, institutional and social outcomes. Its work will support market access, investment readiness, trusted introductions, knowledge exchange and the development of sustainable cross-regional projects.

Credibility: CACC operates under the established Caribbean Global Awards brand and has received the endorsement of Ghana’s Diaspora Affairs Office. This foundation strengthens the Chamber’s credibility as a diaspora gateway while preserving a clear commitment to governance, due diligence, transparency and responsible engagement.

Unity: The CACC will unite public institutions, private enterprises, professional bodies and community leaders within a trusted platform. CACC will help organisations navigate and enter new markets, connect with credible decision-makers, establish investment-ready partnerships and transform shared opportunities into sustainable projects that deliver measurable economic and social impact across Africa, the Caribbean and the global diaspora.

Partnerships: The Caribbean Global Awards brand also works in partnership with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), chaired by the Honourable Dr Abike Dabiri-Erewa OON, in support of stronger Africa-Caribbean diaspora engagement.

CACC’s partnership with Air Peace provides valuable transatlantic connectivity, creating stronger pathways for travel, trade, investment and diaspora engagement.

The Caribbean Media Corporation and it’s pan- Caribbean television channel, CaribVision supports the Caribbean Global Awards vision to amplify voices, celebrate and promote diaspora engagement.

Africa Regional Launch Programme 2026: The CACC regional launch programme will commence in Ghana from 10 to 17 October 2026, followed by Nigeria from 30 November to 5 December 2026. These launches establish Ghana and Nigeria as important gateways within a wider Africa-Caribbean strategy that is designed to include and engage nations across the African continent.

Each programme will bring together entrepreneurs, investors, healthcare leaders, innovators, institutions and diaspora professionals for structured business engagement, market insight, cultural connection and partnership development. Activities will include official CACC launch events, business networking, sector discussions and opportunities to connect participants with local enterprise, institutions and investment ecosystems.

Health Knowledge Exchange: Health will be a flagship pillar of the Chamber’s work. The CACC Health Knowledge Exchange will create a trusted bridge among health systems, universities, professional bodies, innovators and diaspora experts across North America, the Caribbean and Africa. It will move beyond ceremonial dialogue by supporting practical exchange in:

workforce development, clinical leadership and education, mentoring and specialist skills transfer

digital health, artificial intelligence and responsible technology adoption

cancer care, public health and health inequalities

research collaboration, innovation pathways and locally relevant solutions

diaspora-led investment and partnerships that strengthen health-system resilience

Built on reciprocal learning, programmes will be shaped with local leaders and institutions to address identified priorities, build capability and produce sustainable benefits.

A Governance Led Gateway: CACC brings commerce, professional knowledge, diaspora networks and cultural understanding into one accountable platform. Partners will work through transparent processes, defined responsibilities and outcome-focused collaborations. This model is designed to protect trust, reduce avoidable risk and strengthen the prospects of long-term delivery.

‘The Caribbean and Africa share history, heritage and enormous unrealised potential. Through the Caribbean Global Awards brand, we have built trusted international relationships and a respected platform that celebrates excellence. CACC takes that foundation forward by converting connection into governed trade, credible investment and sustainable partnerships. Our Health Knowledge Exchange will mobilise expertise across North America, the Caribbean and Africa to strengthen leadership, innovation and health outcomes.’ – Dr (h.c.) Michaelene HoHolder-March – Sole Founder and Chair, Caribbean Africa Chamber of Commerce and Caribbean Global Awards Brand

Leadership and Partner Voices:

‘This initiative creates an important opportunity to transform the historic relationship between Africa, the Caribbean and the global diaspora into practical collaboration in trade, investment, entrepreneurship and knowledge exchange.’ – Mr Kofi Okyere Darko, Director of Diaspora Affairs at the Office of the President of Ghana

‘NiDCOM would like to commend you and your team for this laudable initiative and, in particular, for your efforts towards strengthening the historic and enduring ties between Africa and the Caribbean. NiDCOM appreciates the vision behind this initiative and the opportunities it seeks to create.’ – Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, chaired by the Honourable Dr Abike Dabiri-Erewa OON

‘This powerful collaboration will, for the first time, give members of the diaspora greater confidence to pursue trade, investment and relocation opportunities while strengthening the health pathways connecting our regions.’ – Dr Emma Oliveira, Director of Africa Affairs, CACC

‘For generations, the Atlantic separated communities that remained united by ancestry, culture and aspiration. This Chamber marks a historic turning point: we are building the trusted institutional bridge through which Africa, the Caribbean and our global diaspora can move from shared history to shared prosperity.’ – Dr (h.c.) Michaelene Holder-March, Founder and Chair, CACC and Caribbean Global Awards

‘The Eastern Caribbean brings enterprise, energy expertise, tourism innovation and a powerful culture of resilience to this partnership. CACC will give our businesses and entrepreneurs a credible route to African markets while opening new pathways for reciprocal investment, knowledge and opportunity.’ – Dr Julian Adjodha, CACC Director for Eastern Caribbean Affairs and Founder of Island Adventures and JAG Petroleum

‘CACC defines our future by bringing us together to trade, innovate and remove the boundaries that have too often limited collaboration between Africa, the Caribbean and the global diaspora.’ – Ambassador Wallace Williams, Patron of CACC

‘The Global Health Catalyst is excited by the potential of this Health Knowledge Exchange to connect expertise, innovation and institutions across North America, the Caribbean and Africa. By working together, we can accelerate locally relevant solutions and create stronger, more equitable pathways to better health outcomes.’ – Dr Wil Ngwa, Director of the Global Health Catalyst

Invitation to Partners: CACC invites governments, chambers of commerce, health institutions, universities, professional bodies, investors, businesses, sponsors and exhibitors to participate in the Ghana and Nigeria launches and the wider Africa-Caribbean programme. The Chamber welcomes partners that share its commitment to integrity, reciprocity, diaspora inclusion and demonstrable impact.

About the Caribbean Africa Chamber of Commerce: The Caribbean Africa Chamber of Commerce operates under the Caribbean Global Awards brand. It connects Caribbean and African businesses, institutions, professionals, investors and diaspora communities through trade facilitation, investment engagement, knowledge exchange and strategic partnerships. Its work is guided by governance, cultural intelligence and a commitment to shared prosperity.

BI intercepts 4 Russia-bound Pinoys

THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) intercepted four Filipino passengers at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) who were identified as potential victims of human trafficking after allegedly being recruited for jobs in Russia.

The four were intercepted in separate incidents at Naia Terminal 1 on September 18 and 19 after primary immigration officers referred them for further verification of their declared travel purposes, the BI Immigration Protection and Border Enforcement Section said.

On Sept. 18, three men, identified as ‘Aldo,’ 30; ‘Nery,’ 41; and ‘Baby,’ 38, were traveling together and declared Thailand as their destination.

During secondary inspection, Aldo allegedly disclosed that Russia was his actual destination and that he had been recruited through a Facebook post to work as a security guard for a promised monthly salary of P70,000.

Nery reportedly said he was recruited by an unidentified individual in Bangkok, while Baby said his trip was sponsored by a person identified as ‘Alexander.’

On Sept. 19, immigration officers intercepted another passenger, identified as ‘King,’ 34, who was traveling to Vietnam aboard Philippine Airlines.

During further verification, King allegedly disclosed that Russia was his intended final destination and that he had been recruited for military service there.

He reportedly said he was promised a monthly salary of P150,000, citizenship after one year and additional bonuses for completing a special mission.

King also presented a concealed Russian visa and reportedly said he did not pay for his travel expenses.

The four passengers were assessed as potential victims of human trafficking and turned over to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking for further assessment, investigation and assistance.

Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado urged Filipinos seeking overseas employment to verify job offers through the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and its licensed recruitment agencies.

‘Filipinos should exercise extreme caution when dealing with online job offers, particularly those that promise unusually high salaries, immediate deployment, or other benefits without proper documentation,’ Viado said.

He urged prospective overseas workers to verify recruitment agencies and job orders through official DMW channels before accepting employment offers or traveling abroad.

The BI, an Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (Iacar) member, urged the public to report suspected human trafficking and illegal recruitment through its hotline at (+632) 8-465-2400 or its official email addresses.

Reports may also be made to other concerned government agencies.

A trillion-dollar corruption story

TRANSPARENCY International created a frightening corruption story, which I would like to share with you.

No matter where you live, you probably know someone who has fallen victim to a scam. Scams promise easy money or invent a crisis-a computer virus, a blocked account-to trick people into handing over money or personal details.

With new technologies such as AI, these threats are becoming more sophisticated and targeting people on a global scale. But scams carry a less visible cost: the so-called scam industry is a significant governance and human rights issue, and corruption is what keeps it running.

Scam centers have become one of the world’s most lucrative forms of organized crime, stealing an estimated US$1 trillion globally in 2024 alone. Nearly all share the same basic components: a physical site, access to digital tools, a workforce and management structures. Bribery, political protection and law enforcement collusion multiply their reach, giving criminal networks cover to recruit, move and exploit victims, and vanish before police arrive.

The mechanics of fraud

TO the outside world, these facilities appear to be standard information technology (IT) or business support offices, often housed in modern business centers. They operate not merely through random calls, but through a highly organized system of psychological engineering and technical manipulation.

Scammers employ a specific playbook of ‘tricks’ designed to dismantle a victim’s skepticism, followed by ‘solutions.’

How a scam call center works

THE pattern repeats across continents. This week, Ukraine’s Prosecutor General, Ruslan Kravchenko, resigned amid corruption allegations related to scam centers in the country. Ukrainian anti-corruption investigators say they have identified a money-laundering scheme in the Prosecutor’s office. In exchange for bribes, the officials allegedly protected fraudulent call centers that carried out phone scams and laundered millions in assets. Kravchenko denies the allegations.

In Myanmar, reports show that the Karen Border Guard Force, which is connected to the Myanmar military, controls and provides security to scam compounds in exchange for a cut of profits.

In Georgia, allegations against senior officials and politically connected actors illustrate how scam centers can become embedded in state-linked protection networks. Corrupt actors allegedly shielded operations in exchange for kickbacks.

In Cambodia, scam operations are connected to political elites and housed in hotels, resorts, casinos and office parks. Wider kleptocratic and patronage networks help sustain the business.

Beyond the money, scam centers are connected to serious human-rights abuses.

Workers are trafficked into these compounds through fake job advertisements, then held through debt bondage, violence and restrictions on movement. ???

Corruption enables this at nearly every stage, with officials reportedly waving trafficked workers through border checkpoints. Even rescue isn’t always safe: some escaped victims say police demanded bribes before letting them go.

Why this keeps happening

SCAM centers cluster where oversight is weakest: border areas, special economic zones and conflict-affected regions. Southeast Asia is a regional hotspot: six of ten Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) countries still lack adequate laws against private-sector bribery. Only three have whistleblower protections. Without those foundations, protection rackets can run with almost no legal risk.

Special economic zones are a particular blind spot. Designed to attract investment through lighter regulation, zones in Cambodia, Laos and the Philippines have all been cited as hosting scam operations.

What can be done

THE required responses are as much about governance as policing. On the criminal side, the report highlights the importance of stronger regional law enforcement cooperation, technological safeguards against increasingly sophisticated scams, and reintegration support for trafficked workers who escape. Without this support, many risk being pulled back into the same networks.

On the corruption side, there is a need to tighten the anti-corruption framework in states that shelter these operations and enhance oversight, so it actually reaches border areas and special economic zones. Officials complicit in trafficking need to face prosecution too, not only the low-level operators usually caught in raids.

In the Georgian case, it was not law enforcement that exposed the network-it was a whistleblower, an IT specialist working inside the scam structure. He identified specific high-ranking officials allegedly protecting criminals. According to the testimony, the network was vast, spanning hundreds of locations and employing tens of thousands of people. A single call center could generate up to US$500,000 a day.

Whistleblowers, investigative journalists and civil society groups are often the first to dig where others won’t. That work is getting harder as ‘foreign agents’ laws spread and require nongovernment organizations (NGO) to disclose sources of foreign funding. Protecting them isn’t a side issue in the fight against corruption. It’s how the fight gets fought at all.

Given the fact that Transparency International and the Integrity Initiative are working together, I have read their report various times in order to find solutions for us in the Philippines. I would deeply appreciate if readers could find solutions beyond what is stated under What can be done above. Do you agree that a new generation of political leaders may have to be elected?

Finally, Mr. Ariel Nepomuceno said in his recent column PERCEPTIONS: We have to realize that we are drowning in politics, while poverty devours our future.