Category: Business Mirror

CHARMING Ormoc City is charting a bold course in Philippine sports development, determined to establish itself as both a regional training hub and a premier sports tourism destination.

Under the leadership of Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez and Congressman Richard Gomez, and with the full backing of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), the city is steadily building the infrastructure and programs to make that vision a reality.

The city’s commitment was highlighted during its 79th Charter Day celebrations, where PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio addressed 1,500 delegates of the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines from across the country.

‘Ormoc City is the perfect showcase for sports tourism. It’s not only a great destination, it’s a great host,” Gregorio said.

In his speech, Gregorio pointed out the sports tourism success of Thailand and Vietnam, whose minister of sports is likewise the minister of tourism as well as in Korea and Poland.

‘They are using sports and tourism to collaborate and to promote the destination because they know that the biggest tourism events in the world are sports events,” added Gregorio, citing the Olympics, the FIFA World Cup and the Formula 1 Grand Prix, among others.

Ormoc’s ambition is reflected in the facilities already completed and those still under construction.

A modern pentathlon training facility, a boxing gym, obstacle course, wall climbing modules, BMX track, a fencing gym, skateboarding park, karate and martial arts gym, track oval, and rowing facilities at Lake Danao where the PSC donated boats and assigned coaches from the national team to propagate the sport.

All of these form the backbone of a sports complex designed to serve athletes and the entire community. These venues are envisioned not only as training grounds for elite competitors but also as attractions that will draw tourists, tournaments, and international events to the city.

Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez expressed her gratitude to the PSC and emphasized the city’s holistic approach.

‘We thank the PSC for believing in Ormoc’s vision. These facilities are not just for athletes but for families, communities, and visitors. Our goal is to make Ormoc a premier sports tourism destination, where people can dream big, train hard, and enjoy world-class experiences,’ she said, highlighting the city’s intent to blend athletic excellence with tourism appeal.

Part of the month-long festivities for the Charter Day celebration was the unveiling of an obstacle course and a wall climbing facility aside from showcasing a new multi-level dormitory that can house at least 120 athletes, all within the vicinity of the track oval and sports complex.

‘Ormoc is building facilities for multiple sports from karate dojos, martial arts training to obstacle courses and even rowing at Lake Danao,” said Gomez, president of the Philippine Modern Pentathlon Association and second vice president of the Philippine Olympic Committee.

‘This is part of our mission to establish Ormoc as a regional training hub, where athletes can prepare for national and international competitions while the community benefits from sports tourism,’ added the congressman from Leyte province representing the fourth district.

National sports associations have already begun to take notice. Karate Pilipinas President Ricky Lim praised Ormoc’s initiative for its plan to build a dedicated training facility for karate and donated new mats.

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‘Thank you for sharing your space for karate. In return, we promise to propagate the sport here. We are donating new mats, and eventually, we will bring the national team to Ormoc to train and teach the youth for free. This is how continuity in sports development is achieved,” said Lim.

Chairman Gregorio, in closing, emphasized PSC’s commitment to supporting the city’s ambitions.

‘Ormoc City is fast becoming a regional training hub for Philippine sports, with facilities that rival international standards,” said Gregorio.

‘With Mayor Lucy and Congressman Richard all out in their dedication, we are confident that Ormoc will become a model for sports development and tourism in the Philippines,’ he added.

SHARES of Mynt Inc. (PSE: GCASH) slightly fell on its second day of trading on Wednesday at the Philippine Stock Exchange, closing at P6.59 from its offer price of P6.60 apiece.

Abacus Securities Corp. said its opening day of trade being flat suggests active price stabilization by the offering’s underwriters.

The broker said, however, selling pressure appeared limited, with total offer volumes staying below half of the total bid volume throughout most of the session.

‘Conversely, local buyers seemed willing to absorb whatever foreigners were selling. Then again this might be the stabilization fund; but our view is that there is evidence that the hype worked to some extent,’ it said.

Abacus warned that as Mynt prepares to report earnings next month via parent company Globe Telecom Inc., the risk of a disappointment is higher not only because of the hype but also due to the precedent set in second quarter, which saw a decrease quarter-on-quarter.

‘For those who are looking to buy GCASH, therefore, it is probably best to wait until Globe’s third quarter earnings release and/or briefing, which will probably be in the second week of November,’ added the trader.

COL Financial Inc., meanwhile, said that the GCash e-wallet operator is primed to capitalize on the country’s surging adoption of digital finance.

COL Financial projects Mynt’s revenues to expand by 15 percent this year to reach P91.7 billion. The online stockbrokerage firm also forecast another 24-percent growth to P113.6 billion in 2027, propelled by steady transaction volume gains and rapid growth within its ‘CreditTech’ credit portfolio through subsidiary Fuse Financing Inc.

Meanwhile, we expect net income to increase by 18 percent year-on-year to P20.4 billion in 2026 and 26.8 percent year-on-year to P25.8 billion in 2027, COL Financial said.

The broker also expects Mynt’s credit arm to increase to P132.3 billion by 2028, a 40.2-percent three-year compound growth rate from 2025, outperforming broader industry trends.

Meanwhile, Eric Jurado, hedge fund manager at SeA (Southeast Asia) Focus Portfolio, said Mynt’s broader growth narrative will play out over the coming decade.

‘The IPO does not automatically make these services better. That remains Mynt’s responsibility. But the capital raised and the company’s transition to public ownership can support its next phase of growth, including product development and business expansion,’ Jurado said.

‘The ultimate measure of success for users will be whether Mynt continues to deliver useful, reliable services and expands access to financial opportunities,’ he added.

According to Jurado, Mynt’s debut gives investors a chance to hold a direct stake in a premier Philippine fintech enterprise, proving that a Philippine business can attract capital at scale and gives investors another opportunity to participate in the country’s corporate growth.

‘The real questions are whether [Mynt] can keep serving more customers, strengthen its competitive position, grow earnings per share and create lasting value for its owners. Today, the market gave GCASH its first public price. From here, the business must build its long-term value,’ he said.

The Philippines could fetch more than $100 million in investments for five major crops from international institutions, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said the agency presented 27 proposals during the recent Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Hand-in-Hand Investment (HIHI) forum, which was held in its headquarters in Rome.

Officials made a pitch to international financial institutions and private investors, focusing on coffee, seaweed, mango, jackfruit, and cocoa. This aims to raise farmers’ incomes, generate economic opportunities in rural communities, and enhance climate resilience.

‘We had about 12 bilateral [meetings], so we can expect big investment…the minimum we can expect is $100 million,’ De Mesa recently told reporters.

This figure exceeded the $57.4 million in investments that the DA initially sought prior to presenting the projects in the international forum.

Of the five priority crops, De Mesa noted that projects on seaweed and coffee accounted for the lion’s share or more than 50 percent of the generated investments.

Earlier, the FAO said coffee and seaweed account for the largest investment requirements, at roughly $26.4 million and $24.8 million, respectively.

Additional proposals lean towards processing, machinery, and other value addition for mango, jackfruit, and cocoa.

The international agency noted that the Philippines’ investment profile offers an average projected internal rate of return of 24.6 percent, and a total estimated net present value of $42.2 million.

The proposals were developed through a collaboration between the DA, FAO, and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which are part of a broader effort to mobilize public and private financing for Philippine agriculture.

The agency said this moves beyond traditional development assistance towards investments that can deliver both financial returns and measurable development benefits.

FAO Representative in the Philippines Lionel Dabbadie said food security, rural prosperity, and climate resilience will not be achieved through isolated interventions.

‘They require investment at scale. The Hand-in-Hand Initiative brings together data, policy and finance to turn development priorities into investment opportunities,’ Dabbadie said.

‘The portfolio presented by the Philippines illustrates how partnerships between government, the private sector and international organizations can help de-risk investments and generate economic returns, while improving farmers’ livelihoods and strengthening the resilience of agrifood systems.’

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) expects the bidding for the operations and maintenance (OandM) of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) and the privatization of Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) to be completed next year, with the timelines possibly extending into the second quarter of 2027.

Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said the NSCR bidding is targeted for completion in the first quarter of 2027 based on the current schedule, but this could move to the second quarter depending on approvals.

‘Based on the timeline, first quarter next year,’ Lopez told reporters on the sidelines of the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines (EJAP) Infrastructure Forum. ‘If we can start this year… maybe, let’s say, second quarter next year.’

In January, the DOTr said it expected to award the NSCR operations and maintenance (OandM) contract by the fourth quarter of 2026, with bidding set for July to August and a target contract award in October 2026.

In July, Transportation Undersecretary Timothy John Batan said the bidding for the P229-billion concession would likely draw around 10 offers from Philippine, French and Japanese conglomerates, and that the DOTr would close submissions by the end of September and announce a winning bidder before the end of the year.

Partial operations of the NSCR between Valenzuela and Malolos are targeted to begin in December 2027, with the Malolos-to-Clark segment expected to open by October 2028.

Batan earlier explained that the DOTr needs the winning contractor to prepare and mobilize in time for the target partial commencement of operations.

The NSCR is co-financed under official development assistance by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

For MRT-3, whose privatization proposals have been submitted to the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center, Lopez said the OandM bidding would likely follow a similar track.

‘Same siguro, second quarter,’ he said, noting that bundling the MRT-3 with Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2) is not an option at this point, describing them as separate undertakings.

In May, Lopez said the DOTr aimed to award the MRT-3 contract between June and July 2027, with the winning bidder taking over operations of the rail line by October 2027.

The concession is expected to run for 20 to 25 years at an estimated project cost of $800 million, or around P48.22 billion, and the would-be operator will be tasked with raising the line’s ridership from more than 1.3 million passengers per day.

A market sounding held at the ADB headquarters drew interest from 74 local and international companies from 14 countries.

The MRT-3 has been under government control since the build-lease-transfer agreement with the Sobrepeña-led Metro Rail Transit Corp. expired in July 2025.

Lopez noted that the schedules set with the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) may shift if bidders raise questions or supplemental bid bulletins are needed. He added that foreign-funded projects require extra steps, such as securing a letter of no objection from the ADB.

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‘Sometimes, even if you put a timeline, if there’s like a meritorious reason… not to push through with the date of opening of bid, because there are like bid questions, we need supplemental bid, the timeline adjusts,’ he said. ‘It’s quite complicated, not the usual bidding that we know under the procurement law.’

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday again called out the Chinese Embassy in Manila over its latest social media posts, saying their ‘escalatory and undiplomatic’ tone has undermined efforts to stabilize bilateral relations, but stopped short of declaring Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan persona non grata.

In a strongly worded statement, the DFA reaffirmed the Philippines’ adherence to the One China Policy while reminding all diplomats accredited to the country to observe restraint and responsibility in their public statements.

‘The escalatory and undiplomatic tone and language used in the latest social media statements of the Chinese Embassy erode mutual trust and confidence, and severely undermine the efforts to stabilize and improve bilateral relations,’ the DFA said.

The latest rebuke came just three days after Ambassador Jing was summoned by the DFA over remarks that triggered criticism from lawmakers and security officials, who viewed them as an attempt to pressure Manila over its policies toward Taiwan, the West Philippine Sea, and its growing security cooperation with allies.

Instead of easing tensions following the October 19 summons, the Chinese Embassy launched a series of social media posts defending the ambassador and taking aim at Filipino lawmakers who had called for diplomatic action against him.

Among the most controversial was a post featuring Senate Resolution No. 746 filed by Risa Hontiveros, which urged President Marcos Jr. to declare Ambassador Jing *persona non grata* or request his recall.

The embassy accompanied the resolution with the caption: ‘Since you don’t welcome us, we don’t welcome you, either. Fair enough.’

The post quickly drew attention as one of the sharpest public responses yet by the embassy to calls for the envoy’s expulsion.

The embassy’s online campaign came after several lawmakers criticized Ambassador Jing for warning that China-Philippines relations had reached an ‘extremely sensitive and critical juncture,’ remarks that some officials interpreted as a threat.

The DFA’s latest statement appeared aimed directly at the embassy’s continuing online attacks.

‘All diplomats are expected to conduct and express themselves in a manner befitting diplomatic envoys, especially on social media,’ the department said.

It added that the embassy’s recent statements did not reflect the ‘longstanding spirit of constructive engagement’ between Manila and Beijing.

‘Such statements are not conducive to good relations nor to the effective discharge of diplomatic functions,’ it said.

At the same time, the DFA reiterated that the Philippines remains committed to the One China Policy, which is anchored on the 1975 Philippines-China Joint Communiqué.

‘The People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government of China,’ the DFA said, adding that the Philippines fully understands and respects Beijing’s position that there is only one China and that Taiwan is an integral part of Chinese territory.

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The statement also appeared intended to dispel Beijing’s serious concern that the ‘Philippine side continued to make negative moves on Taiwan-related issues.’

Despite mounting calls from lawmakers for stronger action against Ambassador Jing, the DFA stopped short of announcing any punitive measure.

Instead, it left open the possibility of future steps.

‘The DFA likewise reiterates that it reserves the right to take further diplomatic action as it deems necessary,’ the department said.

The latest exchange underscores the increasingly contentious tone of diplomatic engagement between Manila and Beijing, with disputes over the West Philippine Sea now spilling into public exchanges between Chinese diplomats and Philippine officials on social media.

Reacting to the DFA statement, the Chinese Embassy remains defiant, stating it ‘does not accept’ DFA’s statement on China pushing back against attacks and smears on China.

‘The Embassy is always committed to managing differences with the Philippines through diplomatic channel. Meanwhile the Chinese Embassy will not remain silent when China’s interests and dignity are undermined. This is the duty that diplomatic mission must perform.,’ the Embassy said in a statement.

On the Taiwan issue, the Embassy said it appreciated the reiteration of Manila on one-China policy

‘Under current circumstances, this public statement is timely and necessary in preventing certain forces from sabotaging China-Philippines relations by playing with the Taiwan question,’ the Embassy said.

Nearly one in two Filipino adults is living with overweight or obesity. According to the latest National Nutrition Council’s report on the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute’s 2025 Updating Survey, prevalence reached 44.5%, up from 39.8% in 2023, underscoring the growing need for accessible care.

Addressing this burden requires access to medical assessment, appropriate treatment and ongoing support. For patients prescribed medicines, both cost and the ability to obtain their treatment consistently can affect access to care.

Against this backdrop, Novo Nordisk Philippines has announced lower suggested retail prices for the 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg and 1.0 mg strengths of its once-weekly semaglutide formulation indicated for weight management, effective October 2026.

Semaglutide (Wegovy®) is a prescription medicine. For weight management, the formulation is indicated for eligible patients alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. A physician must assess treatment suitability, explain the benefits and risks, and guide dosing and follow-up. The prevalence of overweight and obesity does not, by itself, determine eligibility for medication.

The new suggested retail price for the 0.25 mg and 0.5 mg strengths is ?8,188 per pen, down from ?9,900, a reduction of approximately 17%. The suggested retail price for the 1.0 mg strength is ?9,279 per pen, down from ?9,900, or approximately 6%. Each pen contains four doses of its labelled strength, providing four weeks of treatment when used once weekly as prescribed.

Eligible senior citizens (SCs) and persons with disabilities (PWDs) receive a further 20% discount, bringing the confirmed prices to ?6,550 per pen for the 0.25 mg and 0.5 mg strengths, and ?7,423 per pen for the 1.0 mg strength.

The affected strengths are used during the early stages of the prescribed dose-escalation schedule. The equal suggested retail prices for the 0.25 mg and 0.5 mg strengths mean there is no increase in the suggested price per pen at that prescribed dose step. Costs at subsequent strengths may differ and should be considered when planning ongoing care.

‘Medicine costs are one part of the access challenge,’ said Wei Sun, General Manager of Novo Nordisk Philippines. ‘Reliable availability, appropriate prescribing and ongoing medical support also matter. The price adjustment should be understood as one step within that broader need.’

The price adjustment sits alongside Novo Nordisk Philippines’ Live, which aims to build understanding of obesity as a disease and encourage Filipinos to seek appropriate medical guidance. Disease awareness and access to care are connected: recognising the need for support is a first step, while obtaining assessment, appropriate treatment and follow-up enables people to act on that understanding.

Lower prices can reduce a financial barrier, but broader access also depends on patients being able to reach healthcare professionals, obtain their prescribed medicine through licensed pharmacies and receive follow-up care. Planning for treatment should therefore consider medicine availability and the overall cost of care, including consultations, any necessary tests and subsequent prescribed doses.

Obesity care should be based on individual health needs and may include nutritional support, physical activity, behavioural interventions, medicines or other treatment options, as clinically appropriate. A medical consultation can help patients understand their options and develop a care plan suited to their circumstances.

Patients prescribed semaglutide should obtain it only from licensed pharmacies with a valid prescription. They should confirm the prescribed strength, stock availability and actual retail price with the dispensing pharmacy, including applicable senior citizen or PWD discounts. Questions about dosing, side effects or interruptions in treatment should be discussed with the prescribing physician.

DOV CARIÑO’S brace lifted Ateneo de Manila University to its first win in UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament, edging University of the East, 2-1, on Thursday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.

The national team player equalized for the Blue Eagles in the 66th minute despite a solid performance from Red Warriors goalkeeper Mhike Cimat.

Cariño then completed the comeback in the 78th minute, heading home off an Ateneo free kick to seal the victory.

‘It was a not-so-good start for us. In the first five minutes, we were really good, but after that UE controlled the ball; that’s why we conceded the goal at first,’ Ateneo head coach JP Merida said.

‘Coming from the second half a lot of adjustment was made, a lot of substitutions that why we scored the two goals. It was a very clinical finish from Dov,’ he added.

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

The Blue Eagles will look to build on their momentum when they face FEU on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. at the same venue to close out the first round.

UE ended its first-round campaign with another defeat, extending its winless streak to 15 matches.

The Red Warriors remained at the bottom of the standings in seventh place with zero points and a -20 goal difference.

Mark Maghinay gave UE an early lead with an 11th-minute opener, raising hopes of ending the team’s winless run.

However, the Red Warriors were once again left disappointed as they failed to hold on to their advantage.

THE Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) announced it has allocated P1.69 billion for emergency loans to members in Albay, Camarines Norte and Naga affected by the dengue outbreak and El Niño.

A statement issued by GSIS last Wednesday read that 68,506 active members and pensioners in the three areas may access the loan offering.

This comes after Albay and Naga were declared under a state of calamity due to an uptick in dengue cases and recent deaths, while Camarines Norte was declared under the same state because of El Niño. Members with an existing emergency loan may borrow up to P40,000, but the balance of their previous loan will be deducted, leaving them with a maximum net amount of P20,000.

Meanwhile, those without an existing emergency loan may apply for up to P20,000. The loan carries a 6-percent interest rate and is payable over three years. The monthly amortization is P655.56 for a P20,000 loan and P1,311.11 for a P40,000 loan. It also has a redemption insurance feature that, if loan payments are made on time, the outstanding balance will be considered fully paid in the event of the borrower’s death.

The GSIS said qualified members and pensioners may apply for the emergency loan through its mobile application until October 24 in Albay, October 27 in Camarines Norte and October 28 in Naga. Eligible active members must be residing or working in any of the areas affected, not on leave without pay and have no pending administrative or criminal case.

They must also have paid the required three-month premium contribution within the prescribed six-month period, must have no unpaid loans for more than six months and have a net take-home pay of at least P5,000 after deducting all mandatory monthly obligations.

Old-age and disability pensioners residing in the affected areas may likewise avail themselves of the loan, as long as their resulting net monthly pension after loan availment is at least 25 percent of their basic monthly pension.

The figures represent more than just statistics. They are the arithmetic of a Filipino family deciding whether to buy a kilo of rice or pay for the jeepney fare to work. That 35 percent of Filipinos now name affordable food as their top demand of government-up from 30 percent just months ago-should end any debate about what Malacañang’s priority must be. (Read the BusinessMirror story: ‘Affordable food tops concerns people want govt to address,’ October 17, 2026).

The Pulse Asia survey commissioned by Stratbase Group delivers a blunt verdict. Among Class E households, 55 percent put food first-an 11-point leap since July. Low-income families spend the largest share of their income on food and transport, so when inflation reverses its easing and climbs to 7.2 percent in September, the poor feel it first and feel it hardest. Food inflation nearly doubled to 6.8 percent, driven by rice, fish, seafood, fruits, and vegetables. Food and non-alcoholic beverages alone account for 35.8 percent of overall inflation. The national statistics are, in effect, a portrait of the dinner table shrinking.

Seventy-one percent want the administration to control inflation. That is a supermajority for one thing: relief. Yet the government has answered with pronouncements more than provisions. The predictable remedies-importation, price ceilings, subsidies-have been deployed as firefighting rather than strategy. The result is a public that measures policy not by speeches but by receipts.

Geography sharpens the message. Metro Manila registers the highest anxiety at 43 percent, with Luzon at 36 percent, Mindanao at 34 percent, and the Visayas at 31 percent. Urban poor households, most dependent on purchased food, are most exposed. Job creation, at 26 percent, and corruption reduction, at 24 percent, follow-but neither outruns the pot of rice.

The deeper failure is structural. The country has spent decades importing the very staple it can grow, while agrarian fragmentation, weak logistics, and costly fuel keep farm-gate prices disconnected from retail reality. Until productivity, irrigation, storage, and transport are fixed, affordability will remain a seasonal promise.

What would genuine leadership look like? A concrete package: targeted rice subsidies for the poorest deciles, expanded direct cash transfers indexed to food inflation, fuel subsidies for small farmers and fisherfolk, and a credible anti-hoarding regime to discipline price manipulation. These are unglamorous but measurable-and the public is demanding measurable results.

The warning from Stratbase Group President and CEO Victor Andres Manhit demands our attention. Trust is rebuilt not through reform slogans but through benefits citizens ‘can actually feel in their homes.’ The survey is a mandate. Government has one clear instruction from the people: make food affordable, and start with those who can least afford to wait.

The test is straightforward: when the next survey is conducted, will Class E still be struggling to rise above hardship, or will it finally receive the support it deserves?

Dennis Anthony Uy, co-founder and CEO of leading fiber broadband and technology provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc., is calling for greater transparency and accountability in governance to help the Philippines maximize opportunities in digital transformation and emerging technologies.

Speaking before the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the country’s largest business organization, Uy highlighted the importance of sustaining the government’s efforts to create an enabling environment for artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies, emphasizing that good governance is essential to translating these opportunities into meaningful economic progress.

‘Today, global investors and foreign partners are knocking on our door, eager to do business with the Philippines. They see our location, our workforce, and our potential. The opportunity is right in front of us. But let us be honest: our old habits are getting in the way. Corruption holds back our progress. Red tape chokes our small businesses,’ said Uy during the 52nd Philippine Business Conference and Expo (PBCandE), held on Wednesday, October 14.

Uy’s message underscores the importance of ensuring that the country’s growing digital ambitions are supported by transparent processes, accountable institutions, and an environment where businesses can innovate, invest, and contribute to national development.

He also recognized policy initiatives such as Executive Order No. 119, s. 2026, establishing a Data Residency Framework, and the creation of a Center for AI Research as important steps toward strengthening the country’s digital ecosystem and positioning the Philippines to participate more actively in the global technology landscape.

Converge has been an active partner of PCCI in advancing the country’s digital agenda. In 2025, the company and the business organization placed digital and ICT solutions at the forefront of the PBCandE, bringing together more than 85 local and international technology brands to showcase innovations and connect them with Philippine businesses.

Uy was joined onstage by PCCI President Perry Ferrer, 52nd PBCandE Chairman Butch Guerrero, PCCI Chairman Jude Aguilar, and other PCCI executives.

The importance of addressing governance concerns is also reflected in public sentiment. On Thursday, October 15, Pulse Asia Research reported that corruption and inflation were the top two issues concerning Filipinos in its latest Ulat ng Bayan survey.