One “Jonathan” is good when you’re an audit and consultancy firm like Reyes Tacandong & Co., which has just hired one of the country’s best financial analysts, Jonathan Ravelas, to augment its financial services group effective May 1, 2023.
But, apparently, two Jonathans are better as the fast growing company founded by Manny Reyes and Cocoy Tacandong has also hired noted cybersecurity expert Jonathan Mantua, along with 20 of his information technology engineers, to boost Reyes Tacandong’s digital transformation group.
Ravelas was, of course, a longtime analyst and market strategist for BDO Unibank before bringing his expertise to other personal undertakings. Mantua, meanwhile, has his own cybersecurity outfit, which helps firms protect themselves against hackers.
The two Jonathans will help the firm’s accountants and lawyers navigate the financial and artificial intelligence spaces in their practice.
—Daxim L. Lucas
Naia’s continuing woes
What’s happening at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia)?
The aviation sector did not have a good start to the year when the country’s air space was shut down on Jan. 1 due to technical glitch involving the navigation facilities. The government has vowed to address this problem since. However, more issues have risen, including management concerns, amid the resurgence of air travel.
Here’s a brief timeline of recent events:
On May 1, Naia experienced a power outage anew, grounding several flights and affecting over 9,000 passengers. It lasted for hours before a full restoration was done. The Department of Transportation (DOTr), as such, raised the need to conduct a full electrical audit to prevent this from happening again.
On May 2, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), the agency handling the country’s main gateway, said that General Manager Cesar Chiong was slapped with preventive suspension by the Ombudsman for his decision regarding employee assignments. The order was dated April 28. Chiong said he was “confident of being vindicated and cleared in the end, after I am allowed to present my side.”
On May 3, the MIAA held a special meeting to name an officer in charge. Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista confirmed that Senior Assistant General Manager Bryan Co would be taking over.
On top of this, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines held a corrective maintenance activity at the country’s air traffic management system on the same day, affecting flights at Naia and other airports. It was conducted from 1:50 a.m. to 3:27 a.m. Another will be conducted on May 17. So, passengers better watch out for airline advisories.