Online Negosyo Empowerment Community Calls for Fair Platform Fees, Real Consumer Protection, and Accountability in E-Commerce Policies Amid Growing Public Outcry Against Corruption

As Filipinos nationwide rally against corruption and demand accountability in government spending, the Online Negosyo Empowerment Community (ONEC) — a grassroots movement of thousands of online sellers, OFWs, home-based business owners, and digital freelancers — raises urgent concerns over redundant regulations, rising platform fees, and policies that disproportionately burden small entrepreneurs.

 

Led by its Convenor Anna Magkawas, Online Negosyo asserts that the same systemic issues the public is protesting — inefficiency, unnecessary bureaucracy, and policies that harm the ordinary Filipino — are also evident in the way small online businesses are being regulated and charged today.

 

“Economic oppression is also a form of corruption. When policies and fees drain the livelihood of ordinary sellers, families suffer. And we must speak up.” — Online Negosyo

 

A COMMUNITY COMMITTED TO EMPOWERMENT, EDUCATION & ETHICAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Online Negosyo is an independent, non-partisan movement dedicated to empowering Filipino online sellers. It conducts free online and on-ground capacity-building programs, covering: business management and operations digital marketing product handling and compliance financial literacy ethical business practices seller upskilling and responsible entrepreneurship These initiatives strengthen the country’s digital MSMEs and help protect sellers from exploitation and misinformation — all funded and organized within the community itself.

 

COORDINATION WITH THE E-COMMERCE PROMOTIONS COUNCIL OF THE PHILIPPINES

To ensure that industry issues are properly surfaced, Online Negosyo also coordinates with the E-Commerce Promotions Council of the Philippines, a multi-stakeholder advisory council composed of: private-sector representatives digital platforms industry associations consumer groups advocacy leaders and e-commerce practitioners The Council serves as a venue for collective discussions, policy recommendations, and unified advocacy for a fair and future-ready e-commerce landscape. This coordination allows both Online Negosyo and the Council to address industry-wide concerns in a unified, transparent, and evidence-based manner.

 

THE TRUSTMARK ISSUE: SUPPORTING CONSUMER PROTECTION WHILE REJECTING REDUNDANT REQUIREMENTS

Online Negosyo emphasizes its full support for consumer protection and the fight against online scams. However, the community stresses that the current Trustmark proposal is redundant, duplicative, and risks becoming burdensome if made mandatory.

 

Existing systems already safeguard consumers:

·        Consumer Protection Laws

·        National product standards FDA and related certifications

·        Intellectual Property rights enforcement

·        Platform verification and penalties

·        Tax and business registration requirements

 

“The problem is not a lack of policies — it is the lack of enforcement. Trustmark, as currently proposed, repeats what already exists.”

 

Currently voluntary until December 31, there is concern that Trustmark may be turned mandatory or required by platforms. Online Negosyo calls for the following:

 

     Trustmark must remain permanently voluntary

     Platforms must not be allowed to require it as a condition for selling

      It should be aspirational, not punitive

      It must be private-sector-led, not another bureaucratic layer

     Government must focus on enforcing existing laws, not creating new redundancies

 

Making Trustmark mandatory would directly contradict the push for transparency, efficiency, and simplicity — the very values Filipinos are demanding in the streets today.

 

P5 PLATFORM PROCESSING FEE: A NEW BURDEN REQUIRING EXPLANATION

Online Negosyo is raising serious concern over the new P5 processing fee being imposed by major platforms. Micro-entrepreneurs already face:

·        rising cost of goods

·        expensive logistics fees

·        packaging and operational costs

·        inflationary pressures tax obligations

 

For many, their margins have shrunk to almost nothing. Online Negosyo demands immediate action:

·        Full transparency on how the fee was calculated

·        Clear justification for imposing it

·        A review of fairness for micro-sellers

·        Consideration to reduce the fee to less than P1

 

“Transparency is part of accountability. No fee should be imposed without clear explanation and public justification.”

 

A CALL FOR ACCOUNTABILITY, GOOD GOVERNANCE & A FAIR DIGITAL FUTURE With corruption scandals and public outrage unfolding nationwide, Online Negosyo stresses that burdensome, redundant, or poorly designed e-commerce policies are also forms of harm toward ordinary Filipinos. When policies: (1) penalize micro-entrepreneurs, (2) duplicate existing requirements, (3) add unnecessary costs, and (4) make compliance harder or benefit only large players.

Taiwan Excellence’s FuBear Goes Viral after Sharing the Gimme Five Cheer to Thousands of Filipinos Across the Country

The bear that's getting the spotlight these days us bring cheers to thousands of Filipinos!

The Taiwan Excellence mascot continues its mission of giving high fives and spreading encouragement to everyone, now here in the Philippines! From visiting offices in Metro Manila to roaming around parks in Central Visayas, Filipinos enjoyed fun surprise appearances from the friendly black bear. FuBear also steals the hearts of Filipino netizens on social media as the Gimme Five initiative reaches the internet.

 

Who is FuBear?

From Taiwan, FuBear is a character made in the likeness of the Formosan Black Bear, Taiwan’s national animal. FuBear’s mission is to champion the spirit of excellence by giving high fives around the globe and, now, in the Philippines.

 

Pilipinas, Good Job and Gimme Five from FuBear!

The Gimme Five online initiative touched the hearts of thousands of Filipino netizens, with many becoming fans of the mascot and its message. In many videos posted on the Taiwan Excellence social media pages, FuBear tours many places in the Philippines and searches every corner, finding a friend to give a big high five to.

 

 

Filipinos experienced a pleasant surprise when seeing FuBear in theme parks filled with families bonding, in tricycle stations where commuters and drivers are waiting in line, and in office pantries where young professionals are taking their break time. FuBear even ensures that its message is understood in many languages by using local Filipino languages in its videos posted online, making sure its high five reaches every kind of Filipino.

 

Where Can We See FuBear Next?

FuBear is set to make more appearances in the Philippines before completing its Gimme Five mission. For updates on FuBear’s journey, follow Taiwan Excellence PH on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TaiwanExcellence.ph. 

JUANDERCON 2025: Strengthening Philippine Tourism Through Education, Innovation, and Collaboration

 

The Philippine tourism and hospitality industry will be the spotlight as JUANDERCON 2025 is held on October 23–24, 2025, at Valle Verde Country Club, Pasig City — a two-day national convention to empower the nation's tourism industry through education, innovation, and cooperation.

Organized by Exlink Management and Marketing Services (Exlinkevents) and in partnership with the Junior Tourism and Hospitality Management Association of the Philippines (JTHMAP), JUANDERCON 2025 is a dynamic forum that connects tourism professionals, entrepreneurs, educators, and future leaders. The forum aims to promote and upgrade tourism marketers and professionals.

The convention will feature world-class speakers and thought leaders who will deliver concepts regarding tourism marketing, destination branding, leadership, and digital transformation.

Day 1 – Tourism Marketing

• Asec. Sharlene Batin, Department of Tourism – Keynote Address: "The Future of Tourism: Marketing in a Competitive World"

• Bobby Horrigan, CEO, Horrigan Hospitality – "From Boracay to the World: Crafting Global Destination Brands"

• Art Boncato, Group GM, Megaworld Hotels & Resorts – "The Psychology of Travel: Selling Dreams, Not Just Destinations"

• Panel Discussion: "What Employers Want: The Skills & Mindset Needed in Tourism Careers" with Arlene Alipio (DOT), Christina Aquino (Taylor University), and Arjun Shroff (PHILTOA), moderated by Dean Kathlene Apillado (JRU)

• Bertch Ian Namuag-Ranis, Managing Director, Fil-Global Immigration Services Corporation – "Growing Your Career Beyond the Philippines"

• Dean Henry S. Tenedero, St. Clare College – Closing Keynote: "NeuroWanderlust: Inspiring the Mind to Travel and the Heart to Serve"
  

Day 2 – Tourism, Hospitality & Leadership

• Mayor Vico Sotto, Pasig City – Keynote Address: "Transformational Leadership: Building Trust, Transparency, and Innovation"

• Ivannovich Dmitriv Agote, OIC-ARD, DOT-NCR – "Global Trends Shaping the Future of Travel and Hospitality"

• Eylla Gutierrez, OIC-Executive Director, Asian Institute of Management – "Smart Destinations: How AI is Rewriting the Future of Tourism Marketing"

• Philip Tiongson, GM for Data Science and Analytics, Havas Ortega – "Prosumer Report: The Rise of Mindful Traveling in the Philippines"

• Arch. Joey Rivas, Director, ROKID Philippines – "Enhancing Travel Experience Through Technology"

• Panel Discussion: "Leadership: From Island Hopper to Industry Leader

— Why Tourism Needs You Now!" with Liani Lou Miranda (JTHMAP National President 2019–2021) and Pio Sanchez (Director of Sales, El Nido Resorts), led by Jojo Villamin, JTHMAP Founder

• Malu Galang, FBSE Master Trainer – "Hospitality with a Heart: Servant Leadership in Tourism"

The convention shall also feature the JTHMAP Awards Ceremony, recognizing distinguished students, organizations, regions, advisers, and the coronation of the new JTHMAP Ambassadors.

"JUANDERCON 2025 is not merely a convention—it's a movement that will elevate Philippine tourism by shaping leaders who can inspire innovation, service excellence, and national pride," said Orly Ballesteros, Project Head. "We envision a new generation of tourism practitioners who are going to lead the Philippines to world recognition."

As the country's best convention of the tourism marketers and leaders of tomorrow, JUANDERCON 2025 places particular importance on the role of education, leadership, and cooperation in ensuring the competitiveness and dynamism of Philippine tourism.

For further details, log on to www.juandercon.com

Asia Stage: Amplifying Asia’s Voice at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2025

 

Books have the power to cross borders, carrying the voices, experiences, and cultures of those who create them. This capacity to bring people together takes center stage at the Asia Stage of the Frankfurt Book Fair 2025. From October 15 to 19, illustrators, writers, publishers, and thought leaders from across Asia will gather to share their stories, celebrate their craft, and showcase the richness and diversity of Asian literature to the world.

The Asia Stage is the vision of Rex Education, brought to life in partnership with Frankfurt Buchmesse and supported by the National Book Development Board. Its journey began in 2018 as the ASEAN Forum, evolved into the ASEAN Stage in 2019, and in 2024, it embraced its current identity: the Asia Stage. What began as a noble idea to highlight regional publishing has grown into a recognized platform, a stage where the depth of Asia’s literary voices can shine on the global scene.

At the heart of this initiative is Atty. Dominador D. Buhain, Chairman and President of Rex Education. His lifelong passion for literature and publishing has guided this vision from the start. As a co-founder of the Asia Pacific Publishers Association and the ASEAN Book Publishers Association, he has long believed that the stories of Asia deserve a wider audience. Through this initiative, he has sought to open doors for publishers to share works that mirror their nations’ creativity, hopes, struggles, and resilience.

For REX, the Asia Stage has grown beyond a program. It has become a brand, a symbol of years of dedication to supporting Asian publishers and content creators at one of the world’s most important book fairs.

This year, with the Philippines as Guest of Honor, the Asia Stage brings a deeper dimension to the country’s participation. It reminds us that Filipino literature is part of a much larger story—one that connects with the voices and visions of Asia. For 5 days, the Asia Stage will host conversations, panels, and presentations that explore the education landscape, the evolving world of publishing, and the many ways culture continues to shape and inspire the region’s literature. Through this collaboration, REX and Frankfurt Buchmesse renew their shared commitment to uplifting Asian stories and ensuring that these voices continue to be heard, seen, championed, and remembered.

As the Frankfurt Book Fair opens its doors, the Asia Stage will stand with much gratitude and pride, inviting the world to witness and listen. It is a reminder that stories carry power. They connect us, inspire us, and transform us. For 5 days, Asia will speak, and the world will listen.