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American biotech startup Exin Therapeutics Inc. is investing some P1.45 billion in the development of the country’s first neurotherapeutics laboratory, thus boosting the fledgling local biotechnology sector.

In a statement on Friday, the Board of Investments (BOI) said it had granted green lane certification to Exin Therapeutics, which will develop the two phases of the planned project in Taguig City and Clark, Pampanga, respectively.

‘Set to begin commercial operations in October 2025, the facility marks a milestone in the country’s biotechnology sector as it positions the Philippines as the premier destination for advanced neurotherapeutics research and development in Southeast Asia,’ the BOI said.

As investments in this sector are deemed a priority, the government granted the company the green lane certification that hastens the approval process.

Exin Therapeutics is a San Francisco-based biotech startup that specializes in developing circuit-level genetic therapies for complex brain disorders, including epilepsy, autism spectrum disorder, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and schizophrenia.

It combines neuroscience, genetics and artificial intelligence to redefine how brain disorders are understood and treated.

The neurotherapeutics laboratory, integrated with an artificial intelligence (AI) drug discovery platform, adopts a dual-hub model.

Its Manila office will handle wet-lab operations where experiments are performed while its parent company in San Francisco will lead computational drug discovery and global business development.

The first phase of the project, covering 2025 to 2027, involves an investment of P45 million ($800,000) to construct the country’s first state-of-the-art neurotherapeutics research facility in Bonifacio Global City (BGC).

AI-driven

The BGC facility will harness advanced gene delivery and AI-driven drug discovery platforms to design and validate 10 new drug candidates per month.

It will generate 10,000 data points monthly from experiments.

According to the BOI, the BGC lab is expected to process 180 drug candidates, producing more than 180,000 data points by 2027, on the way to producing new drugs for the commercial market.

‘The initiative aims to create 35 high-value jobs for Filipino scientists, technicians, and support staff, all of whom will receive training in gene therapy, neuroscience and AI-driven drug discovery,’ it added.

Exin Therapeutics will invest an additional P1 billion ($30 million) for the second phase (2027 to 2029) of this undertaking, which will entail an expansion in Clark, Pampanga.

A research complex situated in a 2,000- to 6,000-square-meter site will increase the capacity to 100 drug candidates per month.

It is expected to create over 300 high-value jobs, along with more than 200 indirect employment opportunities.

The facility will integrate energy-efficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems along with waste-reduction protocols for sustainable business operations.

The company is also exploring rooftop solar integration and increased dependence on renewable energy sources.

Exin Therapeutics chief scientific officer Ivan Lazarte said the Philippines’ talented workforce, cost-efficient operations and rapidly growing economy were among the key factors in the firm’s decision to develop the laboratory in the country. ‘It’s not just about attracting foreign investment, it’s about transferring cutting-edge expertise to Filipino scientists, building local capacity, and positioning the Philippines as a leader in advanced biotechnology research,’ BOI managing head and Trade Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo said. INQ

The Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday afternoon placed its hospitals and health facilities under ‘code white alert’ in preparation for the effects of Tropical Storm Ramil.

‘Code white alert’ signifies that all hospitals and health facilities are prepared to handle emergencies and provide essential health services.

‘Under the code white alert, the DOH Operations Center is continuously monitoring, and medicines, medical equipment, and Health Emergency Response Teams are on standby to respond to affected regions in the country,’ the agency said.

In a separate Facebook post on Saturday, DOH said it was preparing medical assistance for the Bicol Region, which is forecast to be hit by Ramil.

The agency said medicines worth more than P11.2 million; health commodities, first-aid kits, tents, and breastfeeding kits; clean water and water containers to be distributed to evacuation centers; and emergency response teams to provide immediate services are readily available for the region.

‘Remember that cyclone Opong severely devastated the region, so the DOH has intensified coordination with local health offices and RDRRMC (Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council) Bicol,’ DOH said.

Based on the 2 p.m. update of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration, Ramil, which was last spotted over the coastal waters of Laoang, Northern Samar, may make landfall over Catanduanes this Saturday afternoon or evening and over Camarines Sur this evening or early Sunday morning.

Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Legarda Leviste clarified on Saturday, October 18 that former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Arrey Perez was not the only appointee of Secretary Vince Dizon reportedly linked to contractors.

Perez resigned on Friday, October 17 after Leviste suggested that a background check be done on him and questioned his fitness to oversee the bidding of projects at DPWH.

‘People have asked if it’s true that I denied that USec Perez has links with contractors – I did not. What I said was: There are more members of Secretary Dizon’s team linked to contractors, and one in particular was photographed with contractors in a recent meeting in a restaurant. This one photographed, was another member of Secretary Dizon’s team,’ Leviste said.

In recent interviews, Dizon has confirmed that members of his team have had meetings with contractors outside the DPWH office, but said: ‘It is not disallowed, pero siyempre. ‘It seems a bit improper, right? But it’s not illegal. But it would have been better if it was done in the office. What’s important here is that they’re talking for work, that’s what matters, and not because they’re asking each other for favors or giving something to each other.’

Leviste responded to Dizon: ‘While I am thankful for what Secretary Dizon has already done, I also hope he will respond to these 3 points that I’ve been raising: (1) Disclose each DPWH official’s connections and meetings with contractors, and how we will ensure they do not get kickbacks; (2) Release the DPWH budget per legislative district (NEP and GAB), as committed in the September 17 budget hearing, and list of proponents, as requested by others and are readily available; and (3) Lower prices by 25%.’

In response to a question about a phone call reportedly from DPWH during Leviste’s press briefing on Thursday, October 16, Dizon confirmed that he had a member of his team call Leviste during his press conference. ‘I called our mutual friend so I could hopefully find out the details. I want to know who,’ Dizon said.

‘I did not ask for the resignation of any DPWH official, I only named USec Perez after Secretary Dizon asked me to give an example. My press briefing was to follow up on Secretary Dizon to lower the prices of DPWH projects and release information on the data per district in the 2026 budget, and I hope that Secretary Dizon can address this, because it is in changing the budget and not just the team that we can show that we are doing all that we can to end kickbacks in DPWH,’ Leviste said.

Leviste ended by appealing to Dizon: ‘Given how many DPWH officials are connected with contractors, let us release the list of projects and remove all insertions by contractors in the DPWH budget.’

The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) cleared the acquisition of a majority stake in local cold storage firm CAMP Resources Property Holdings Inc. by Singapore-based Permafrost Investments GMF2 Pte. Ltd.

The antitrust body said the transaction won’t hinder competition in the Philippine market.

‘The Commission found that the transaction is unlikely to substantially lessen competition, citing the presence of multiple providers and a fragmented market structure,’ the PCC said in a statement on Friday.

According to the PCC, the clearance confirms the existence of ‘sufficient competitive constraints’ in the relevant market, enabling both parties to undertake their respective strategic plans.

The transaction was announced last May 27.?CAMP Resources is a local holding company that operates cold storage facilities in Rizal, Bulacan, Laguna and Pangasinan.

The PCC approved the transaction on Aug. 27 but announced its decision only on Friday, saying the decision aligns with its mandate to promote fair, efficient and competitive market outcomes.

Under the Philippine Competition Act, the PCC is mandated to review mergers and acquisitions to ensure such transactions do not substantially reduce competition in relevant markets or harm consumer welfare.

The independent quasi-judicial body is responsible for ensuring fair market competition by protecting consumer welfare through access to a wider choice of goods and services at lower prices and promoting a competitive business environment by enforcing relevant rules.

Among others, the PCC reviews mergers and acquisitions, investigates and adjudicates antitrust cases, imposes sanctions and penalties, conducts economic and legal research on competition-related matters and issues advisory opinions.

Chie Filomeno intrigued with her recent post alluding to a ‘sad boi’ and a betrayal from a friend – which elicited a comment from multi-millionaire businessman Matthew Lhuillier.

The actress shared her recent photos through her Instagram page on Friday, Oct. 17, while using Tiffany Stringer’s ‘The National Anthem’ as background music.

In the caption, she said, ‘It’s a trend to use songs, since that’s what you have been doing. So might as well. It’s your sad boi era. I’m in my healing era.’

Filomeno, who did not immediately name whom she was addressing, continued to talk about that certain someone and their apparent previous romance.

‘I didn’t want to teach him how to love me – that’s unfair, so unfair for both of us,’ she said. ‘We deserve so much better, we all do. I wish him all the best, I truly do.’

‘But what stings more is that a so-called friend, who knew exactly how I was treated during the relationship, still chose betrayal – even using the internet to attack my character,’ she added, still opting not to disclose whom she was referring to.

Filomeno even noted how the said female friend involved herself into matters she is not a part of, but took no accountability and was apparently even non-responsive when confronted.

‘Standing up for myself because I know my worth, I’m finally being treated the way we all deserved to be and I am surrounded by people who truly know me and got my back,’ Filomeno wrote.

‘Grateful for all of you, on to the next chapter. I hope you find peace,’ she concluded.

Noticeably, Lhuiller, who is being romantically linked to the actress, left a United States flag emoji on Filomeno’s comment section. She then replied with an airplane emoji. Prior to this, Filomeno made headlines because of her breakup with actor Jake Cuenca. She also earlier alluded to her supposed rift with fellow actress Sofia Andres, the girlfriend of Matthew’s cousin Daniel Miranda.

More than P239.6 million worth of smuggled cigarettes was seized by the Philippine National Police (PNP) in a series of anti-smuggling operations across the country over the last two months.

The PNP said on Saturday that its personnel conducted 335 anti-smuggling operations from August 26 to October 16, 2025.

Of these operations, 311 specifically targeted smuggled cigarettes.

The campaign against smuggling led to the arrest of 267 suspects and the seizure of smuggled cigarettes with a total amount of P239,639,651.

Around P58.9 million of the smuggled cigarettes was confiscated by Police Regional Office (PRO) 6, P56.2 million by PRO 9, and P47.7 million by PRO 12.

According to acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., the operations send a message that ‘the PNP stands firm in defending the nation’s economic integrity.’

‘Smuggling is more than a crime, it is a betrayal of the honest Filipino worker and business owner,’ Nartatez said in the PNP statement.

‘Every pack of illicit cigarettes seized means revenue saved for our government and opportunities restored for our people,’ he added.

Nartatez likewise said that the PNP remains committed to working with the Bureau of Customs, local government units, and other law enforcement agencies in conducting campaigns against the illegal trade of smuggled cigarettes in the country.

Kharam Baricaua Molbog, a native of Solano town in this province, topped the Physician Licensure Examination this month-his second time as topnotcher after ranking first in the Medical Technology Licensure Examination three years ago.

The 25-year-old alumnus of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) had the highest score of 91.17 percent among the 4,570 who passed the exam, held on Oct. 4, 5, 11 and 12 in Metro Manila and other test centers nationwide. There were a total of 5,900 examinees this year.

Molbog topped the Medical Technology Licensure Examination in 2022 with a score of 90.20 percent. He graduated summa cum laude meritissimus at UST, earning an outstanding 99.17 percent in his medical course.

‘Late bloomer’

In a chat with the Inquirer, Molbog reflected on his journey to success, saying his path was not always easy.

He said he was not a standout student during his elementary and high school at St. Louis School in Solano.

He also failed to pass the University of the Philippines College Admission Test in 2014. This made him realize to do better with determination, he said.

‘I kept working hard in college and med school, so that perseverance finally paid off when I topped both licensure exams,’ said Molbog, who lives with his grandmother, a retired teacher, since his parents are working in Canada. His father Jennirex Molbog is an IT specialist, and his mother Josenia Baricaua-Molbog, a nurse.

He had a reputation in school as a ‘late bloomer,’ or so he was called, but soon enough his drive to succeed became evident.

Even his downtime still had room for more knowledge, as Molbog listened to classical music-particularly Mozart, one of his favorites-between his intense review sessions.

Molbog said he plans to specialize in either cardiology or radiation oncology. He also aims to do his part in addressing the shortage of medical professionals in Nueva Vizcaya, which has only two cardiologists.

In recognition of his exceptional achievement, the provincial government is due to hand over P200,000 to the newly minted doctor.

‘His success, twice over as a national topnotcher, proves that grit, humility and world-class excellence can be nurtured in our province,’ Nueva Vizcaya Gov. Jose Gambito told the Inquirer, praising Molbog’s dedication and resilience.

‘We are proud to honor him under our Topnotchers Incentive Ordinance and look forward to the many lives he will touch as a physician,’ Gambito said. ‘Molbog’s performance underscores sustained excellence from premedical training through medical school, positioning him as one of the standout performers in recent board examinations.’

Paper company Steniel Manufacturing Corp. will raise up to P315.3 million via a follow-on offering in November to expand its warehouse in Davao del Norte.

This is one of Steniel’s first major projects since resuming trading at the local bourse.

Steniel on Friday disclosed that the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) had approved its application to offer up to 157.65 million common shares at up to P2 each.

The final price will be set on Oct. 24. The offer period is set on Nov. 3 to Nov. 7.

The shares will be listed on the main board of the PSE on Nov. 17, Steniel said in its disclosure.

Based on its latest preliminary prospectus, Steniel will use part of the proceeds from the offer to expand its paper warehouse in Panabo, Davao del Norte. The project is tagged at P250 million.

Spanning 1.9 hectares, the expansion project will add new logistics and production capacities to the warehouse.

At the same time, Steniel will use part of the proceeds to fund its working capital requirements.

Capital-intensive

‘Note that the company’s operations are working capital-intensive, as [Steniel] must maintain a sufficient buffer stock of raw materials to ensure continuous production,’ Steniel said in its prospectus.

The company first announced the follow-on offering last February. That was nearly a year since it resumed trading on the PSE.

To recall, trading of Steniel shares was suspended in 2006 after it defaulted on a P636-million term loan agreement with several banks.

This was due to ‘working capital drain,’ as Stenial had also been repaying past debts. The loan balances were later sold to third-party entities.

By July 2006, Steniel’s shareholders approved the filing of borrower-initiated petitions for corporate rehabilitation.

A company or debtor-in this case, Steniel-files for corporate rehabilitation in court to help restore it to a ‘position of successful operation and solvency.’

This is granted when a court finds that it is economically feasible for such a company to continue operations.

Steniel appealed to the PSE in 2017 to lift the trading suspension after its petitions were dismissed by different courts. But the PSE pointed out that the company’s stockholders’ equity had been negative since 2008.

Steniel addressed this via share swap and purchase deals with its creditors.

PLDT has been unscathed in its last 17 PVL games thus far, a streak that started when the High Speed Hitters broke through as champions of the On Tour before ruling the Invitational Conference.

The last of those two wins opened up their hunt for a third straight title, but the High Speed Hitters are way beyond thinking of the past. No matter how glorious it was.

‘It’s a new conference. Each team has a reinforcement, so, it’s really gonna be a different level,’ said Kianna Dy after contributing nine points in their 25-21, 25-20, 25-19 sweep of Choco Mucho in the Reinforced Conference eliminations on Thursday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

‘We just focus one game at a time. And just take it game by game,’ added the crowd-drawer. ‘We’re not thinking of our back-to-back titles [anymore]. It’s a new conference, [stronger] teams, new players and reinforcements.’

Libero Kath Arado added that the team has embraced the mentality instilled by coach Rald Ricafort that they can’t look too far ahead and that they need to stay in the present.

‘Coach tells us that as long as we do our jobs right individually, the results will follow,’ the multi-awarded Arado said in Filipino. ‘That’s really our focus, just doing the work. As a group, everyone’s present and committed.

‘And when it comes to in-game adjustments, the coaches are always there,’ she added. ‘They always tell us: ‘As long as you’re present, it’s easy for us to teach you.”

The High Speed Hitters are working on a dynasty, for all intents and purposes.

‘Maybe there’s still some confidence left from when we won the championship, but we’ve set that aside because this is a new conference,’ Arado continued. ‘We know the other teams have prepared well, so we can’t afford to stay stagnant we have to keep improving and learning.’

Arado and Dy were also pleased to see Anastasiia Bavykina gelling well with the team, as the locals led by Invitational MVP Savi Davison have been displaying a balanced attack with the Russian hitter in their first two wins.

‘Our main goal is not to rely too much on Nastiia,’ Arado bared. ‘We need to be able to step up on our own. Coach always reminds us: it’s about the long term. We need to learn from Ana, not just depend on her.’

PLDT shoots for a third straight win against struggling sister team Cignal on Tuesday. And there’s no doubt who the favorite there is.

‘We’ve been complete for a while now. We used the last conferences to really build our gelling inside the court,’ Dy said. ‘Plus, Nastiia is very easy to get along with and she clicked right away with the team so that made it easier.’

Ricafort wants his wards to stay hungry, as it will be tough winning a third straight championship this year.

‘Even if we’ve started strong, we can’t look too far ahead,’ Ricafort said. ‘It’s really a day-by-day, game-by-game mindset. Whoever we’re facing next, that’s who we focus on completely.’

Tropical Storm Ramil made landfall over Gubat, Sorsogon, on Saturday afternoon, according to the state weather bureau.

In its latest update, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Ramil made landfall over Gubat at 4:10 p.m.

Ramil is still packing a maximum sustained wind speed of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 90 kph.

It is slowly moving westward.

Signal No. 2 was hoisted over the following areas:

Luzon:

Southeastern portion of Isabela (Dinapigue)

Southern portion of Quirino (Nagtipunan, Maddela)

Southern portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Alfonso Castañeda)

Northern and central portions of Aurora (Casiguran, Dilasag, Dinalungan, Baler, Dipaculao, Maria Aurora, San Luis)

Polillo Islands

Camarines Norte

Catanduanes

Northern and eastern portions of Camarines Sur (Tinambac, Siruma, Goa, San Jose, Lagonoy, Garchitorena, Caramoan, Presentacion, Sagñay, Tigaon)

Eastern portion of Albay (Rapu-Rapu, Bacacay, City of Tabaco, Malilipot, Santo Domingo, Manito, Tiwi, Malinao)

Northeastern portion of Sorsogon (Prieto Diaz, City of Sorsogon, Gubat)

Visayas:

Northern portion of Northern Samar (Laoang, Pambujan, San Roque, Mondragon, Rosario, Lavezares, San Jose, Catarman, Bobon, Palapag)

Signal No. 1

Luzon:

Cagayan including Babuyan Islands

The rest of Isabela

The rest of Quirino

The rest of Nueva Vizcaya

Apayao

Abra

Kalinga

Mountain Province

Ifugao

Benguet

Ilocos Norte

Ilocos Sur

La Union

Pangasinan

The rest of Aurora

Nueva Ecija

Eastern portion of Bulacan (Doña Remedios Trinidad, Norzagaray, San Miguel, San Ildefonso, San Rafael, Angat)

Eastern portion of Tarlac (Camiling, San Clemente, Santa Ignacia, Paniqui, Moncada, San Manuel, Anao, Ramos, Pura, Victoria, City of Tarlac, La Paz, Concepcion, Gerona)

Eastern portion of Pampanga (Magalang, Arayat, Candaba)

Northern and eastern portions of Quezon (Tagkawayan, Perez, Alabat, Quezon, Atimonan, Padre Burgos, Unisan, Gumaca, Plaridel, Agdangan, Pagbilao, Mauban, Calauag, Guinayangan, Lopez, Pitogo, Macalelon, General Luna, Catanauan, San Narciso, Buenavista, San Francisco, San Andres, Mulanay, General Nakar, Infanta, Real, Sampaloc)

The rest of Camarines Sur

The rest of Albay

The rest of Sorsogon

Burias Island

Ticao Island

Visayas:

The rest of Northern Samar

Northern portion of Eastern Samar (San Policarpo, Arteche, Oras, Dolores, Maslog, Jipapad, Taft, Can-Avid)

Northern portion of Samar (Matuguinao, San Jose de Buan, Calbayog City, Gandara, Santa Margarita, Pagsanghan, San Jorge, Tagapul-An, Almagro, Santo Niño, Tarangnan, Paranas, City of Catbalogan, Jiabong, Motiong)

Ramil is forecast to continue moving west-northwestward over the landmass or coastal waters of the Bicol Region between this afternoon and early Sunday morning. It will then pass close to or over the Polillo Islands on Sunday morning, then make a final landfall in the vicinity of Aurora in the morning or afternoon.

‘The possibility of landfall over northern Quezon or southern Isabela instead of Aurora is also not ruled out based on the forecast confidence cone. After making landfall in Aurora, RAMIL will traverse the mountainous terrain of Northern Luzon and emerge over the coastal waters of Pangasinan or La Union tomorrow evening,’ Pagasa said.

‘Due to its proximity to the sea and the absence of large mountain ranges in Bicol Region, a re-intensification scenario before the final landfall in Aurora within the next 24 hours is likely,’ it added.

Ramil is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Monday morning.