Category: Business Mirror

VIETNAMESE conglomerate Vingroup JSC (T?p doàn Vingroup-CTCP) plans to invest $500 million in an electric-vehicle (EV) manufacturing plant in the Philippines, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) announced recently.

The construction is targeted to begin in the first quarter of 2027 and initial production capacity set at 200,000 vehicles annually, according to the DTI.

A statement issued by the DTI read that the facility is designed to serve both the domestic market and export destinations, while the group also plans to introduce electric scooters in the Philippines.

The project timeline calls for 12 months to 18 months of development, although the department did not identify the plant’s location or specify when production would begin.

According to the DTI, the plan was discussed by Trade and Industry Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque and Vingroup Vice Chairman Nguyen Quoc Tuan. Key points in the discussion included available investment incentives, including tax provisions under the Create More law (Republic Act 12066) and expedited regulatory processing through the government’s Green Lanes program.

The announcement provides investment and production figures that had not been disclosed during earlier discussions between Roque and Vingroup representatives.

Before the meeting, Roque said the government’s immediate focus was to discuss EV manufacturing, while the company’s other potential Philippine ventures remained preliminary.

Vingroup had also expressed interest in entering the hospital and entertainment businesses, including possible theme park projects, Roque said previously. No investment amounts, locations or finalized projects for these sectors have been announced.

The EV plant’s proposed capacity of 200,000 vehicles a year would cover production for both Philippine buyers and overseas markets. However, the DTI statement did not specify how output would be divided between the two.

The planned investment comes as the government develops its ‘electric vehicle incentive strategy’ to support EV manufacturing.

Roque had earlier said the program’s implementing rules were expected to be completed soon, although she could not confirm the status of all remaining requirements.

The DTI has not disclosed the plant’s location, projected employment, local parts-sourcing targets or the specific export markets it intends to serve.

Vingroup subsidiary VinFast Auto Ltd. has sold 115 vehicles in the Philippines in 2025, according to data from the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. The company said it ranked as the country’s second-largest battery-electric vehicle brand that year.

Gumande Tires joined motorcycle riders and clubs at Makina Moto Tiangge in Filinvest Alabang on October 17-18, bringing its full tire lineup to the event and officially launching the KD02 Dual Sport tire on October 17.

The KD02 expands Gumande’s lineup with a dual-sport option for paved roads and light off-road use. Its launch took place alongside the brand’s participation in the two-day Tiangge, giving visitors the chance to see the new model alongside Gumande’s other tires.

A crowd highlight was the high-energy exhibition by the Traction Masters, whose performance drew cheers from riders and spectators. Motorcycle clubs and members of the moto community also joined the event, adding to the lively atmosphere around the Gumande display.

Riders showed strong interest in the full lineup, with purchases across Gumande models during the Tiangge. The response marked a proud moment for the brand, which officially launched in the Philippines nearly five months ago.

Gumande takes its name from ‘Strength in Rubber,’ a meaning reflected in its growing range of tires and its commitment to connecting with riders through events and the motorcycle community.

With the KD02 now part of its lineup, Gumande continues to build its presence among Filipino riders.

Cadmium is not the only potentially harmful substance found in vape aerosols. Other chemicals, including benzene, diacetyl, and acrolein, can also pose serious health risks.

Amid these concerns, parents, schools, and members of the religious sector are urging Congress to prioritize the proposed Smoke-Free and Vape-Free Environment Bill (House Bill No. 9603) to strengthen protection against tobacco smoke and vape emissions, particularly for children and young people.

Parents call for safer learning environments

Agnes Aliparo, president of the SPTA District 2 Federation in Quezon City, called on parents to support the proposed measure and work with schools to protect students from exposure to tobacco smoke and vape emissions.

‘We support the Smoke-Free and Vape-Free Environment Bill because our children deserve to learn and grow in environments free from tobacco smoke and vape emissions. I encourage fellow parents to support HB 9603 and join efforts to protect the health and future of our children,’ Aliparo said.

In Cebu, Velez College underscored the role of educational institutions and future health professionals in advancing public health protection.

Atty. Ebenezer Daryl P. Manzano, dean of medical technology at Velez College, emphasized the importance of combining education with effective policies.

‘Schools help shape the habits and values of young people. Educating students about the risks of tobacco and vaping must go hand in hand with policies that protect them from exposure to smoke and vape emissions,’ Manzano said.

Faith communities promote health protection

Members of the religious sector also emphasize care for others, responsibility, and respect for life and health.

Pastor Manuelito Lim, senior pastor of Blessed in Christ By Grace Church and a member of the Parents Against Vape (PAV) board, encouraged families and communities to work together to protect young people.

‘Our bodies are precious, and caring for them is part of honoring the life we have been given. Whatever our faith tradition, we share a responsibility to guide our young people toward healthy choices and protect them from harm,’ Lim said.

Youth vaping and secondhand smoke exposure

The 2024 Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) found that 12.8 percent of Filipino students aged 13 to 15 currently use e-cigarettes.

The survey also found that 61.1 percent of students were exposed to tobacco smoke in enclosed public places, while 42.5 percent were exposed at home. These findings highlight concerns about young people’s exposure to tobacco smoke and the need for effective protections.

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Advocates urge Congress to act

Parents Against Vape, together with the Philippine Smoke-Free Movement, is calling on Congress to prioritize HB 9603. The proposed measure seeks to strengthen smoke-free and vape-free protections, including expanding the areas where smoking and vaping are prohibited.

PAV also continues to advocate for a total ban on vaping, calling for stronger government action to prevent young people from accessing and using vaping products.

FORMER senator Ramon Revilla Jr. is seeking the immediate dismissal of the malversation through falsification of public documents filed against him by the Office of the Ombudsman before the Sandiganbayan.

Revilla, on Wednesday, asked the Sandiganbayan Third Division to allow him to file a demurrer to evidence on the ground that the prosecution’s evidence against him is weak.

A demurrer to evidence is a motion filed by an accused in a case to dismiss the charges on allegation that the prosecution’s evidence is not sufficient to render a guilty verdict.

Revilla, who is currently out on bail, is facing malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents filed against him by the Ombudsman over his alleged involvement in the P92.8-million ghost flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan.

In his 24-page motion for leave to file demurrer to evidence, Revilla pointed out that the prosecution’s own documentary evidence show that he did not participate in the preparation, processing, verification, approval or execution of the documents pertaining to the implementation of , and disbursement funds for, the Pandi project.

In particular, Revilla said the prosecution failed to present evidence that would prove his involvement in the facilitation and inclusion of the project in the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA) and receiving kickbacks or advance commission.

‘Clearly, accused Revilla cannot be held liable in any purported conspiracy to commit the crime charged. In the absence of proof that he facilitated or caused the inclusion of the Subject Project in the 025 GAA, and received kickbacks therefrom,’ Revilla stressed.

‘Hence, if the prosecution’s evidence is insufficient to meet even the standard of strong evidence required to grant bail, it necessarily falls even further short of the higher standard standard of proof beyond reasonable doubt, required to convict.’

The malversation case against Revilla pertains to the release of approximately P76 million for the supposed construction of a flood control project in Purok 5, barangay Bunsuran, Pandi, Bulacan, which turned out to be nonexistent.

Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, one of the state witnesses in the flood control scandal, claimed that he delivered P125 million to Revilla’s residence in 2024, and another P250 million delivered by his staff before the 2025 elections in exchange for facilitating or endorsing flood control projects.

Revilla has since denied the allegations, claiming that he was just being used ‘to muddle the truth’ in connection with the flood control mess.

‘Accused Revilla humbly submits that an examination of his Demurrer to Evidence shows that a verdict of acquittal is warranted in this case, without need for him to present his evidence, because of insufficiency of the prosecution’s evidence to prove his guilt beyond reasonable doubt,’ the motion read.

Taipei, Taiwan – Five people have been indicted in Taiwan on charges they tried to injure a comedian who mocks the Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Communist Party in his performances.

Comedian Huang Yihao told Taiwan’s Central News Agency that he had parked his scooter in an alley last month when a car suddenly swerved toward him, striking him and his scooter. He escaped severe injury, but said his initial thought was ‘could this be the CCP coming after me?’ Then, he said, the people in the car got out and apologized, and invited him to sit in their vehicle, which he turned down.

The five suspects, who are all Taiwanese, are accused of accepting 450,000 New Taiwan dollars (US$13,900) to ‘break arms and legs’ of Huang so he couldn’t perform on stage, New Taipei District prosecutors said Wednesday.

The five suspects, identified only by their surnames Zheng, You, Huang, Fan and Liao, received directions and funding from someone nicknamed ‘K’ from mainland China, the prosecutors’ statement said.

‘K’ asked Zheng to collect the comedian’s personal information and to injure him badly enough to require hospitalization and prevent him from performing as scheduled on September 20.

Zheng installed a tracking device on the comedian’s scooter and followed him during July and August. He received NT$250,000 ($7,700) after passing the information to ‘K.’ Zheng and You then planned to a staged car crash to injure the comedian, assigning the task to another man surnamed Huang, who recruited Fan and Liao to help, according to the statement.

On the afternoon of September 11, the suspect Huang drove the car while Liao filmed from the passenger seat and Fan watched in an alley. Huang stopped the car after hearing the comedian scream, but the comedian was not seriously injured. Dissatisfied with the outcome, ‘K’ refused to pay the remaining NT$200,000 ($6,200), the statement said.

Prosecutors are seeking prison terms ranging from two years and seven months to five years and six months.

China’s Taiwan Affairs Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Before the alleged attempt in September, charges of intimidation endangering public safety and property damage were filed against two other people who allegedly spread paint and human waste in May outside a comedy club in Taipei where Huang performed, according to local media reports.

China claims Taiwan, an island about 160 kilometers (100 miles) off its east coast, as its territory. The two split during the civil war that brought the Communists to power in China in 1949, with the losing Nationalists setting up their own government in Taiwan.

In one video clip that Huang shared on his YouTube channel, he compares Xi to Winnie the Pooh and criticizes the CCP for imposing Hong Kong’s national security law and Covid-19 lockdowns across China.

‘If people are already being treated this way for criticizing the CCP even before it has come to rule Taiwan, how can we possibly expect to retain our current freedom of speech should the CCP ever gain control over Taiwan?’ Huang said in a post on Wednesday on his Facebook page, commenting on the case.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs called such violence ‘a malicious attempt to enforce political silence’ which meant to ‘create a chilling effect’ to ‘erode the space for free expression and public discourse.’

Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council ‘strongly condemned’ the use of ‘transnational repression’ to harm people in Taiwan and warned there would be ‘absolutely no leniency’ for those who participate in such acts.

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In 2022, five men accused of acting on behalf of the Chinese government have been charged with brazen and wide-ranging schemes to stalk and harass Chinese dissidents in the United States, including by seeking to derail the election bid of a little-known congressional candidate, according to the US Justice Department.

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The Philippines will push Japan to eliminate tariffs on local bananas during trade talks from October 23 to 26, as both countries work toward concluding a review of their economic partnership agreement by November.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque said the negotiations team, led by the agency’s Bureau of International Trade Relations (BITR), would travel to Japan for the discussions, which could be the final round if both sides make sufficient progress.

‘Possibly, if all goes well, that will be the last,’ Roque told reporters on the sidelines of the second Association of Southeast Asian Nations-China Business Leaders Summit on Monday in Pasay.

Another round may be needed depending on the outcome, she added. The trade chief said she had already spoken with Japan’s trade minister and other officials ahead of the talks.

The Philippines is seeking to lower Japan’s seasonal duties on bananas, which currently range from 8 percent to 18 percent under the Philippines-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (PJEPA).

The tariff is 18 percent from April to September and 8 percent from October to March.

‘Definitely bananas on our side,’ Roque said, describing the fruit as one of the key Philippine industries the government wants to advance in the negotiations.

‘We’re hoping to bring it down… to zero, or at least lower the eight.’

China and Japan remain major export markets for Philippine bananas, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

The Philippines supplies about 75 percent to 80 percent of Japan’s banana imports, making access to the Japanese market a significant concern for local exporters.

Signed in 2006 and effective since December 2008, the PJEPA was the Philippines’ first bilateral economic partnership agreement.

Its current general review covers market-access concerns across a range of products, although bananas remain a key Philippine priority.

Dov Cariño scored twice as Ateneo defeated UE, 2-1, on Thursday for its first win in the University Athletic Association Season 89 football tournament.

Mark Maghinay gave UE an 11th-minute lead, and it took a while before Cariño equalized in the 66th minute.

Carino headed home the winner in the 78th.

Ateneo remained sixth in the standings with four points, level with Far Eastern University but behind on goal difference at -5.

Ateneo faces FEU on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. to close out the first round.

UE is seventh with zero points, winless in 15 matches.

The partnership expands access to financial assistance through digital and Palawan branches.

For many Filipinos who rely on government assistance, getting the support they need can come with its own set of challenges. Reaching a payout center may mean spending extra for transportation, taking time away from work, or traveling a considerable distance-an added burden for households already managing limited resources.

Making assistance available, therefore, also means making it easier to receive.

With its extensive physical and digital financial services network, the Palawan Group of Companies is helping make government assistance more accessible to more Filipinos.

The Palawan Group is strengthening its partnership with the Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to support the distribution of financial assistance through DSWD’s Hybrid Digital Payout (HDP) System.

The partnership was formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing at the LANDBANK Tanauan Branch in Batangas, bringing together the Palawan Group, LANDBANK Southwest Luzon Branches Group, and DSWD. Under the agreement, Palawan Group will serve as an accredited Financial Service Provider (FSP) for distributing financial assistance under the HDP System.

The HDP System gives eligible beneficiaries more ways to receive government assistance by combining digital and over-the-counter payout channels. Those who are able to transact digitally can receive their assistance electronically, while beneficiaries who prefer or need face-to-face transactions can use physical payout points.

This flexibility recognizes that beneficiaries have different circumstances and levels of access to financial services. They may include low-income households, senior citizens, informal workers, and other vulnerable individuals and families who rely on government support to help meet essential needs.

For Palawan Group, the partnership builds on its BrickTech approach, which combines its physical branch network with digital financial services to give Filipinos more ways to transact.

With more than 3,800 branches nationwide and 23 million PalawanPay users, Palawan can leverage both channels to support the HDP System. Its branches offer a familiar face-to-face option, while PalawanPay provides a digital alternative for beneficiaries who are equipped and comfortable with digital transactions.

Together, these channels can bring payout services within easier reach of beneficiaries, particularly those with limited access to traditional banking facilities.

‘This partnership strengthens the work we have already been doing together and allows us to support more beneficiaries through accessible and convenient payout channels. We can help bring assistance closer to communities. For us, this is what serbisyong may malasakit means-using our network to make financial services more accessible and responsive to the needs of the Filipinos we serve,’ said Missy Baldemor, Head of Palawan for Business, on behalf of Chief Business Development Officer Lisa Castro-Sabado.

The collaboration brings together the complementary strengths of the three organizations: DSWD in implementing social protection programs, LANDBANK in providing the financial infrastructure for government payouts, and Palawan Group in providing additional physical and digital channels for beneficiaries.

For beneficiaries, more ways to receive assistance can mean less time spent traveling, greater flexibility in how they transact, and easier access to funds for everyday needs.

The partnership also reflects Palawan Group’s continuing commitment to financial inclusion and its work with government and private sector partners to make financial services more accessible to more Filipinos. Through its BrickTech model, the Group continues to connect its nationwide physical presence with digital solutions, allowing it to serve customers through the channels that best fit their needs.

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Through its partnership with LANDBANK and DSWD, Palawan Group will continue to support the efficient and reliable distribution of government financial assistance-helping make the process simpler and more accessible for the Filipinos it serves.

Experts from the European Parliamentary Forum for Sexual and Reproductive Rights (EPF) say that while the Philippines has laid much of the policy groundwork for human papillomavirus (HPV) prevention, eliminating cervical cancer will require broader vaccine coverage, including the eventual expansion of vaccination to boys, and stronger local implementation.

The recent launch of the HPV Prevention Policy Atlas Asia-Pacific 2026 at the House of Representatives brought together lawmakers, health advocates, civil society groups, and cervical cancer survivors to address gaps in the country’s HPV policies and their implementation.

The Atlas gave the Philippines an overall score of 71.6 percent, trailing several Southeast Asian neighbors, including Brunei Darussalam at 87.7 percent, Malaysia at 86 percent, Indonesia at 84.2 percent, Singapore at 79.7 percent, and Thailand at 78.9 percent. The results underscore the gap between established policy frameworks and their implementation on the ground.

‘The policies are there. Just implementation is lacking,’ said Marina Davidashvili, head of policy and research at EPF.

Designed as a policy benchmarking tool rather than an epidemiological survey, the Atlas evaluates national frameworks in three areas: HPV vaccination, cervical cancer screening, and public access to verified online health information. EPF identifies expanding vaccine coverage as the Philippines’ most urgent priority.

Closing gaps in vaccination coverage

Through the Department of Health’s School-Based Immunization Program (SBIP), the government provides free, two-dose HPV vaccination to girls aged nine to 14 in public schools. Some local government units (LGUs) and public hospitals also conduct supplemental vaccination drives for indigent patients.

However, EPF highlights significant gaps in the current strategy, emphasizing the need for robust catch-up programs, improved vaccination tracking systems, and the eventual inclusion of boys in the national vaccination program.

‘If a girl didn’t go to school on that day, she missed the vaccine. There is no opportunity for her to get the vaccine. So catch-up programs would be very important,’ Davidashvili said.

Expanding access beyond school-based vaccination would help ensure that girls who miss scheduled immunization activities are not left unprotected.

Extending protection to boys

Transitioning to gender-neutral HPV vaccination is another important benchmark for strengthening prevention efforts.

Although cervical cancer remains a primary focus of HPV prevention, the virus can also cause several types of cancer in men. Vaccinating boys, therefore, could broaden protection against HPV-related diseases and help reduce transmission across the population.

‘Gender-neutral [vaccination] has to be something envisaged at some point,’ said Neil Datta, founder and executive director of EPF.

‘There’s a lack of awareness that this can affect men as well,’ he added.

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Addressing practical barriers-including missed school-based vaccination schedules, limited public awareness, and inconsistent local implementation-is essential to translating policy commitments into effective immunization programs.

Mobilizing local GAD funds

Another strategy raised during the Atlas launch was the use of local Gender and Development (GAD) funds to support HPV vaccination and cervical cancer prevention programs.

Datta said clear administrative guidelines on allocating GAD funds for HPV and cervical cancer initiatives would help LGUs address financing gaps and strengthen local prevention efforts.

‘Potential funding is there. It’s just a question of liberating it and really making it available for this issue,’ he said.

The Philippines’ decentralized health system could also enable LGUs that prioritize HPV prevention to move more quickly in implementing local programs.

‘Where there’s political will at the local level, they can move faster. They don’t need to wait for what’s coming from the capital,’ Datta said.

Turning policy commitments into action

The Atlas launch demonstrated strong legislative interest, drawing around 10 lawmakers, including senior congressional leaders, who participated in discussions on strengthening HPV prevention and cervical cancer elimination efforts.

‘The overall tone of the discussion was all very constructive. Everyone wanted to find solutions,’ Datta said.

Sustaining this momentum will require coordinated action across government. Congress must exercise oversight to help ensure that public resources reach intended beneficiaries, national agencies must provide clear financing and operational guidelines, and LGUs must strengthen local delivery mechanisms to bring vaccination and other preventive services closer to communities.

A sustained national commitment across administrations will also be essential if the Philippines is to close the gap with regional leaders in cancer prevention.

Nxled beat Galeries Tower, 25-16, 22-25, 25-17, 25-19, to claim the solo lead in the 2026 premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference Thursday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

The Chameleons improved to 3-0 behind a dominant blocking game, finishing with a 14-4 advantage in blocks and a 61-46 edge in attacks.

Jonah Sabete-Escamillan led Nxled with 22 points, while MJ Phillips added 14 and Brooke Van Sickle had 12 points and 13 excellent digs. Gel Cayuna contributed 20 excellent sets.

Galeries Tower remained winless at 0-3, with Alyssa Bertolano scoring 13 points.

Galeries Tower faces Choco Mucho on Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Nxled returns to action against the Titans on Nov. 3 at 6 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.