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The Philippines is counting on the resumption of a eVisa program for Chinese tourists in November to help close a widening gap in tourist arrivals, as neighbouring Southeast Asian countries pull further ahead.

Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said Tuesday, October 21 that the government expects Chinese visitor numbers to rise once the eVisa is back in place.

“With the eVisa being resumed only in November, it’s really a lot of market preparation to rebuild what has been lost,” she said at an event in Makati City, as quoted by the Philippine News Agency.

Frasco added: “The market penetration, I anticipate, will only be next year. As we can see in the results of any marketing campaign, it’s a work of at least six months before you can see actual conversion.”

The online system aims to make it easier for travelers from mainland China and its Special Administrative Regions to obtain visas for stays of up to 14 days for business or tourism.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) said it will also work with Chinese industry partners to increase the number of charter flights into the country and will step up marketing for both leisure and business travelers.

“Even when the eVisa was suspended… our marketing efforts in China did not stop,” Frasco said in Filipino.

The DOT reported 203,923 Chinese arrivals in January-September 2025. While that is an improvement in trend compared to 2024’s 300,000 tourists, the Philippines was banking on a 2-million visitor target from China.

Lagging behind peers

The effort, however, is an uphill task. The country, after all, is lagging behind peers in Southeast Asia in overall tourism numbers.

Between January and April 2025, the Philippines drew just 2.1 million foreign visitors-a drop of 3.2 % compared to the same period in 2024. Its neighbors such as Malaysia (13.4 million) and Thailand (12.1 million) posted far higher volumes.

Number of international tourists January-April 2025 in Southeast Asia

Thailand

12.1

Malaysia

8.4

Vietnam

7.7

Indonesia

4.3

Singapore

4.2

Cambodia

2.4

Philippines

2.1

In millions. | Source: ASEAN governments | Philstar.com chart

The weak performance stems from multiple factors: weaker high-volume feeder markets like South Korea and China, and the Philippines’ less-mature public and private tourism infrastructure.

Reintroducing the China eVisa may prove crucial. Before the pandemic, China was the Philippines’ second-largest source market after South Korea, delivering 1.7 million visitors in 2019.

The DOT said it is ramping up joint promotions with the Tourism Promotions Board and private-sector partners to align efforts.

“We hope that it (e-Visa) can lead to higher arrivals from the Chinese market next year,” Frasco said.

Competitive race. Tourism analysts, however, say that inbound tourism has not kept up with outbound tourism, that is, Filipinos visiting countries overseas, particularly Japan, Korea and Vietnam.

One report described inbound arrivals as “a bit slower, at less than three-quarters (72 %) recovered to 2019 levels.”

“The regional market is very competitive, and we need to keep adding more focus, resources, and funding to our tourism sector to ensure we stay relevant,” Mastercard Chief Economist for Asia-Pacific David Mann said in a May report.

Young stars Joaquin Arce and Sofia Pablo have been unveiled as the first housemates joining a sequel to”Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition.”

In a report by “24 Oras,” Joaquin, son of film producer Neil Arce who is the husband of Angel Locsin, shared he is a fan of the show which is why he decided to reality series.

“I watched last season. I’m a huge fan of ‘PBB’ as a show, so I decided, why not give it a try,” said Joaquin, who just signed a contract with Star Magic last July.

Sofia, meanwhile, is one of the rising actress in GMA’s Sparkle talent pool whose credits include “Raya Sirena,” “Prima Donnas,” “Open 24/7,” and most recently “Prinsesa ng City Jail.”

“This is something big for me kasi I’m always a victim of misconception, of fake news,” said Sofia. “And I feel like people know me for my work sa mga memes ko. I want the [people] to know me for who I really am.”

Ahead of the show’s premiere this month, Joaquin said he’s been spending time with family and friends to cherish every moment.

“I hang out with as much friends as possible, of course keeping quiet, but in my mind, ‘Oh I’m not going to see them for a while.’ Parang kailangan kong mag-hang-out sa family ko, sa mom ko, sa dad ko,” he added.

Sofia however said she had not considered she might spend the holidays inside the iconic Bahay ni Kuya.

“Sa buong buhay ko and I never spent Christmas and New Year away from my mom, kasi dalawa lang kami. And even si mommy, she’s crying. If I’m not there, she’s going to be alone,” said the young actress. ]

“But then again iniisip namin one Christmas, one New Year kapalit ng pwedeng ma-appreciate na ng tao for who we really are. So sugal talaga.”

“Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition 2.0” – premiering on October 25 – will be hosted by Bianca Gonzalez-Intal, Kim Chiu, Melai Cantiveros, Alexa Ilacad, Enchong Dee, Gabbi Garcia, Robi Domingo and Mavy Legaspi.

The previous edition which brought together stars from ABS-CBN and GMA Network saw Brent Manalo and Mika Salamanca become the show’s first-ever winning pair.

For today’s visionaries: industry leaders, bold entrepreneurs and creative changemakers, connectivity is more than convenience; it’s essential. Globe Platinum redefines premium mobility and connectivity with the All-new Platinum GPlan, an elevated suite of exclusive mobile services designed for those who shape industries and inspire with purpose. More than a mobile plan, it’s a partner in orchestrating a life where ambition, family and legacy thrive.

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ABAP chairman Ricky Vargas is set to attend the crucial World Boxing Congress in Rome on Nov. 23 when the elections for president, vice president and two board seats will be held. WB president Boris van der Vorst will not run for another term, leaving the position wide open with Gennady Golovkin of Kazakhstan, Vladimir Klitschko of Ukraine and Haris Mariolis of Greece rumored to be leading candidates. Aside from the elections, the Congress will take up a series of other votes pertinent to the organization’s business.

There is talk that Klitschko will withdraw from the race to support Golovkin, an Olympic medalist and former world middleweight champion. Golovkin, 43, is the Kazakhstan Olympic Committee president.

Vargas is a member of the WB Board and will serve two more years on his term. ‘Boris will not run for reelection,’ confirmed Vargas. ‘I will stay in the Board as I have a four-year term, having garnered the highest number of votes in the last elections so two more years to go.’ Vargas said the candidates for president have not been officially announced as WB will reveal the candidates 30 days before the polls after a vetting process. ‘Definitely, the next president will impact the Olympic supervision,’ noted the Executive Board member of WB affiliate Asian Boxing. A candidate for WB vice president is Thailand Boxing Association secretary-general Khun Chaiwat.

Under Van der Vorst’s administration, WB’s membership has grown to 125 national federations in two years since its inception in 2023. The Philippines was the first Asian country to align with WB and led the region’s affiliation. Last February, IOC granted provisional recognition to WB as the international federation within the Olympic movement, reinstating boxing in the LA calendar.

A Manila court has forfeited the multimillion- peso assets of self-confessed drug dealer Mayor Kerwin Espinosa of Albuera, Leyte, believed acquired through money laundering and years of illegal drug trafficking.

This is the largest court-ordered forfeiture of assets in the history of law enforcement against illegal drugs in the country, according to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

Aside from Espinosa, the court also ordered the seizure of the assets of international drug financier Sally Ang Nina, who uses the aliases Sharon Xia Lim, Xie Ming Fen, Xie Mei Rong, Tian Gang Shi, Sarah Lee Jessica and Evelyn See Ting.

The court ruling was an offshoot of a multi-agency, intelligence-driven collaboration among the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), the PDEA, the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

The money and properties Espinosa reportedly laundered and amassed from illegal drug activities had been subjected to court forfeiture proceedings.

Among Espinosa’s assets seized by the court are six real estate property located in Albuera and Ormoc in Leyte as well as in Misamis Oriental, 13 vehicles, several bank accounts, watercraft including jetskis and a boat, and firearms.

The court said the assets were acquired through years of illegal drug and money laundering activities, and were hidden under the names of proxy owners identified as Grace Caparoso, Rogelio Caparoso Artemio Magno, Sherlita Pelicano and Laura Yu.

Among Nina’s forfeited assets are P51 million in cash deposited in various banks, investment funds, trust funds and several vehicles.

In 2016 during the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte, Espinosa was arrested and confessed his participation in drug trafficking.

When Duterte’s term ended, Espinosa recanted his statement.

Between 2020 and 2024, Espinosa has been acquitted of several drug cases by regional trial courts in Manila, Makati and Baybay City, Leyte. Two of the cases have been revived by the Court of Appeals.

Espinosa ran and won as mayor of Albuera in May this year.

In one of the campaign rallies of his party in April, Espinosa was shot, but survived.

Forfeiture despite acquittal explained

Legal experts explained that the requirement for ‘preponderance’ of evidence in a civil forfeiture case is lighter than in a criminal case where guilt beyond reasonable doubt must be established. Civil forfeiture can therefore still be pursued despite acquittal in a criminal case.

AMLC executive director Matthew David lauded the information exchange among concerned government agencies, which he said strengthened the cases against Espinosa and Nina.

PDEA chief Isagani Nerez said the ruling not only seized the illegal assets of organized crime syndicates, but also stopped their influence and operations.

Variable Unit-Linked (VUL) insurance gained popularity in the mid-2000s, surprising many with its dual benefits: life insurance coverage combined with an investment component.

What made it even more appealing was the promise of paying premiums for just around 10 years. Financial advisors widely promoted VUL as a smart, flexible solution for those seeking both protection and wealth growth in a single product.

When the pandemic hit, VUL earned a mixed reputation from Filipinos, with many policyholders expressing sentiments like, ‘Nalugi lang ako,’ ‘Hindi nag-grow ang investment’, or ‘Mas mabuti pa ang traditional or term insurance.’

The truth is, VUL is primarily a life insurance product with the added flexibility to potentially grow your money. It’s not a quick fix, nor is it a scam. Misunderstandings often arise when expectations are not clearly aligned, so thorough communication is key.

Here are five common concerns raised about VUL, and the things you should really know before deciding if it’s right for you.

1. ‘Nalugi lang ako sa VUL. Sabi nila investment ito, pero hindi nag-grow.’ (I lost money in my VUL. They said it was an investment, but it hasn’t grown.)

It’s understandable to feel frustrated. One major reason is that people may not be aware that VUL is designed as an insurance solution first, with an investment component built in. Knowing this can help set clearer expectations and guide better decisions.

The investment component of VUL is market-linked, which means your fund value can go up or down, depending on market conditions. It’s important to understand that the reason many VUL clients have seen a decline in their fund value is because these are typically invested in the local stock market, which has experienced minimal growth over the past decade.

If your VUL fund value didn’t grow during a market downturn, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it failed-the life insurance protection benefit remains intact, and that’s what matters more. The investment side can still recover and grow over the long term.

You can also ask your advisor to switch the investment funds, depending on your goals, risk tolerance and time horizon.

2. ‘Ang sabi, 10 years to pay lang, pero pinagbayad pa rin ako nung pandemic kahit fully paid na.’ (I was told it’s 10 years to pay, but I still had to pay during the pandemic even after completing my payments.)

What people sometimes overlook-or perhaps are not informed about-is that VUL has flexible premium payments. You can design it for a limited pay period, but if the fund value drops (like during the pandemic), the policy may require additional payments to keep the insurance coverage active.

Technically, the investment component of the VUL continues to fund your insurance premiums even after the payment period ends, for as long as you live.

The advantage here is that you may pay for a limited time only, but your coverage continues for life. Compare this to term insurance, where you’ll need to keep paying premiums every year for as long as you want coverage, and at a higher premium as you get older.

With a well-funded VUL, you can enjoy lifetime protection without the worry of annual payments dragging on indefinitely.

3. ‘Mas okay sana kung traditional insurance na lang ang kinuha ko para mas maganda ang health benefits.’ (I should’ve just chosen traditional insurance instead, since the health benefits are better.)

Traditional life insurance and VUL serve different purposes. Traditional plans focus on fixed coverage, guaranteed endowment or health protection, while VULs give you flexibility-you can add riders for health, accident and critical illness benefit, while also having an investment component.

One isn’t better than the other; it always depends on your goals. If flexibility and long-term wealth, or legacy-building is more important to you, a VUL may be the right fit.

4. ‘Hindi naman pala guaranteed.’ (So it’s not guaranteed after all.)

Exactly-and that’s actually a good thing. If someone promises guaranteed high returns, that could be a red flag for a potential scam.

With a VUL, your investment portion is tied to market performance, which means it can grow over time, but it also comes with ups and downs. That’s the trade-off.

To make the most out of your VUL, it’s important to align your policy with your risk tolerance and long-term financial goals. One practical tip: consider allocating a manageable portion of your monthly income towards premiums. This helps ensure that your policy is well-funded, which can support the insurance charges even during market downturns.

5. ‘Ang dami palang dapat intindihin. Nakaka-overwhelm.’ (There’s so much to understand. It feels overwhelming.)

It is true that VULs can feel complex, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. A Sun Life advisor can help you understand your options, manage your expectations and build a plan that fits your unique life goals.

With the right partner, a VUL becomes less intimidating and more empowering. It’s a long-term financial tool designed to protect first and grow second. By understanding how it really works, you can make a confident choice for yourself and your family.

Sun Life offers a wide range of financial solutions designed to meet different needs and life goals. Whether you are securing your family’s future, planning for retirement or growing your wealth, there is a Sun Life plan that is right for you.

Lopez-led Energy Development Corp. (EDC) is exploring plans to repurpose its 129-megawatt (MW) geothermal power plant in Leyte following the end of its economic lifespan.

EDC vice president Ryan Velasco said the company is set to conduct feasibility studies for the potential repurposing and redevelopment of the Upper Mahiao Power Plant site in the municipality of Kananga.

This follows EDC’s submission of a letter of intent to the Department of Energy for the phased decommissioning of Upper Mahiao, which has reached its maximum economic life.

The facility was also said to have become technically incapable of generating electricity.

According to Velasco, key components of the geothermal plant typically have an economic lifespan of just 15 to 20 years.

EDC plans to complete the first phase of the plant shutdown, involving two of the four units, by 2026, with the remaining units to be decommissioned by 2029.

The Upper Mahiao plant, commissioned in 1996, had reportedly been considered for major upgrades along with other geothermal facilities in Leyte.

Other EDC plants in Leyte include the 232.61-MW Malitbog, the 198.14-MW Mahanagdong and the 123-MW Tongonan, latest company data showed.

A subsidiary of First Gen Corp., EDC is the country’s largest geothermal player. It operates at least 13 geothermal plants with a combined capacity of about 1,200 MW, the largest portfolio of its kind in the country.

Aside from the Philippines, the company intends to develop geothermal plants in Indonesia as it actively explores growth opportunities in other countries.

Up to 36,536 people intending to vote in the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections applied on the first day of the resumption of voter registration for the BSKE, according to the Commission on Elections.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia said that among regions, Calabarzon recorded the highest number of registrants with 8,290 followed by the National Capital Region with 4,637 and Central Luzon with 4,100.

The lowest number of registrants was recorded in the Cordilleras with 483 followed by Caraga with 670 and Mimaropa with 929.

The Comelec is targeting around 1.4 million applicants until the end of the seven-month voter registration period, which runs from Oct. 20 to May 18.

Applicants may register from Monday to Sunday at any satellite registration sites or at the office of the local election officer.

The registration will also process applications for transfer of voter’s records, change of name and status, correction of entries, reactivation and inclusion of records in the voters’ list.

The BSKE this December has again been postponed by a year, to November 2026.

The Office of the Ombudsman has launched an investigation into Commission on Audit (COA) Commissioner Mario Lipana and his wife for their alleged involvement in several government projects through Olympus Mining Corp.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed that a motu proprio probe is underway.

‘We’re still building our teams that will evaluate. The investigation into the COA building is ongoing,’ Remulla said on Monday.

Olympus Mining Corp. is a construction company headed by Lipana’s wife, Marilou Laurio Lipana, as president and general manager.

Remulla noted that the firm was reportedly involved in various public works and supply contracts, including the construction of the COA headquarters.

‘Not only government projects in DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) but also supply of fire trucks and other government stuff,’ he added.

Reports showed that Olympus Mining Corp. was awarded 22 DPWH contracts worth P1.89 billion from 2023 to 2025.

In 2021, the DPWH also awarded a P959-million contract for the new COA building to a joint venture between R.U. Aquino Construction and Development Corp. and Le Bron Construction, which was identified as a partner of Olympus.

Although Commissioner Lipana was not yet part of the commission when the COA headquarters contract was awarded, he was already a senior COA official at the time.

Actor Raymart Santiago responded to claims by Estrella “Inday” Barretto, matriarch of the Barretto family, that he allegedly abused his ex-wife Claudine Barretto.

Inday was interviewed by Ogie Diaz on his YouTube channel where she accused Raymart of physically and emotionally hurting Claudine. She claimed that the former couple’s son Santino witnessed the supposed abuse, and that Raymart took the properties initially intended for their children.

Raymart fired back with the aid of legal representatives from Calleja Law in a statement which Ogie posted on his social media accounts.

“It is very unfortunate that Mrs. Barretto opted to resort to publicity to spread this untruthful and slanderous narrative,” Raymart’s statement said, adding that Claudine also “repeatedly exploited social media and sought recourse through trial by publicity” to discredit him.

According to Raymart’s lawyers, Inday’s frustrations stem from the conjugal land Claudine sold three years ago without Raymart’s knowledge. They further stated that Raymart does not want to take part in any dispute or irregularity that Claudine may have committed.

The lawyers reminded the Barrettos about a September 2023 gag order from a Mandaluyong City Family Court which Raymart “faithfully complied with, having kept peace all these years.”

They called on Claudine and her family to do the same out of respect for the rule of law and for the former couple’s children.

“Let this be a final warning that any utterances in contravention of the law shall be dealt with before the appropriate forum to protect our client’s rights and to preserve his interests,” the statement ended.

Claudine and Raymart married in 2006 but filed for annulment in 2013. Santino is their only biological child. Claudine later adopted kids Sabina, Quia, and Noah.