PHL wants BPO Aegis Malaysia to explain anti-PHL ad

(Updated 4:23 p.m.) The Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur wants an explanation from business process outsourcing company Aegis Malaysia why its promotional video discouraged foreign investors from coming to the Philippines.

 

The controversial ad, which went viral hours after it was uploaded, earned the ire of netizens – both Filipinos and foreigners – for putting the Philippines in an unfavorable light.

 

According to reports, Aegis Malaysia pulled out the video and only rogue copies are now circulating in social media. 

 

In its letter, the embassy conveyed its “deep concern about this matter, as it considers Malaysian companies as friendly and active partners in furthering bilateral and regional trade and investment.”

 

The video, which ran for nearly three minutes, explains why Malaysia is a better investment site than the Philippines, citing “stable governance,” better security, and a good tropical climate.

 

Unlike the Philippines, which is situated in the Pacific "ring of fire,” the video noted Malaysia is not frequented by natural disasters, like typhoons, which disrupts business and affects interactions with global clients.

 

Steps to address the issue

in a statement on Monday, Philippine officials in Kuala Lumpur demanded an explanation from the management of Aegis Malaysia regarding the steps they plan to take to address the issue. 

 

Initial reports received by the embassy said the company is based in Malaysia, but is run by third-country nationals.

 

The embassy, on the other hand, assured potential investors that the business environment in the Philippines has “remarkably improved,” and that the Philippine Government is “working tirelessly to further enhance the ease of doing business for each and every investor.”

 

Contrary to Aegis Malaysia’s claims, the embassy said foreign companies and investors are coming to the Philippines in “big numbers,” particularly in the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry. The Philippine is a leading location for BPO companies.

 

“It considers them the country’s brand ambassadors in promoting ‘doing business’ in the Philippines,” the embassy said. – Michaela del Callar/VS, GMA News