Category: Business Mirror

The Department of Energy (DOE) is looking to implement a hybridization project for the Small Power Utilities Group (SPUG) diesel power plants using renewable energy (RE) resources through private sector participation.

The agency said Thursday it is working with government and financial sector partners to design new low-interest financing models for RE developers to accelerate the hybridization of off-grid areas served by the SPUG of the National Power Corporation (Napocor).

The parties involved in the discussion are the Philippine Solar and Storage Energy Alliance (PSSEA), Philippine Hydro, Inc. (Phil Hydro), Wind Energy Development Association of the Philippines (WEDAP), multilateral banks and RE developers.

According to DOE Undersecretary Rowena Cristina L. Guevara, the true cost of generation (TCGR) in SPUG areas averages about P18 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) and can go as high as P62/kWh in some locations.

However, consumers in these off-grid areas pay only around P7 to P8/kWh, in line with the subsidized rates approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC). The difference, roughly P10-11/kWh on average is covered by subsidies collected from all electricity consumers nationwide.

‘Hybridization of SPUG areas through the integration of RE can bring cleaner, reliable, and more affordable electricity in the long run for the Filipinos who need it most. But to make this happen, we need to address and deal with one major challenge -financing,’ Guevara said.

‘We are here to explore a bold possibility of enabling low-interest financing for renewable energy developers without sovereign guarantees and without the usual required power supply agreements. As we enter retail competition and open access, where contracts are shorter, this might seem ambitious-but it is possible and would surely help transform how we scale RE in the Philippines,’ she added.

Participants presented potential models, instruments, and financing pathways that may be adapted for SPUG contexts, while also outlining practical bottlenecks and risks that hinder project deployment, particularly in small-scale and geographically dispersed off-grid systems.

‘With our partners from the government and financial institutions, we aim to identify viable financing structures and determine new potential collaborations so that we can collectively bring RE solutions to SPUG areas and accelerate our energy transition goals,’ Guevara said.

Created by the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001, SPUG is responsible for generating power and operating associated systems in areas not connected to the national transmission grid.

These isolated grids often face very high generation costs and have difficulty attracting private investment due to their remoteness and limited demand.

DESPITE recent corruption scandals in Philippine public works, envoys from Japan, Canada, and the European Union said investor confidence and free trade negotiations remain intact, citing strong monitoring mechanisms and visible government action against graft.

Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya said Tokyo’s infrastructure support-such as flood control projects along the Pasig River and flagship railway systems-remains unaffected.

‘Japanese companies continue to see the Philippines as a growth market,’ Endo noted, stressing that strict audits and third-party consultants safeguard Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) projects.

Japan’s ODA has funded multiphase flood control initiatives, including the Pasig-Marikina River Channel Improvement Project and the Cavite Industrial Area Flood Risk Management Project, both designed to protect urban and industrial zones.

In Davao, Japan supported the Flood Control and Drainage Master Plan and the Metro Davao Urban Development Master Plan, focusing on climate-resilient drainage systems and long-term urban flood management.

Unlike locally funded projects now under congressional probe, Japan’s role has centered on technical cooperation and planning integrity. All their ODA projects in the Philippines also undergo strict audit performance reviews-even after the aid has been completed-ensuring accountability and transparency.

Still, Endo admitted Tokyo is concerned about the Philippine government’s flood control investigation and subsequent cabinet reshuffle, saying these developments ‘can indirectly’ affect ODA projects, particularly in decision-making and continuity.

‘We’ve also been working with DPWH, and with a lot of reshuffles of personnel within the department, [this] can indirectly be influencing,’ he told reporters at the Stratbase forum in Makati on Thursday. (See related: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2025/10/09/japan-closely-monitoring-phl-anti-corruption-probe/)

Canada

Canadian Ambassador David Hartman acknowledged corruption challenges but highlighted President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s ‘successful foreign policy’ in strengthening partnerships.

He said Canada channels aid through NGOs and civil society groups rather than directly to the Philippine government, ensuring rigorous due diligence.

‘Our embassy in Manila has expanded rapidly as part of Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy,’ Hartman said, adding that FTA talks remain unaffected.

Hartman stressed vigilance: ‘Frankly, we’re watching how things unfold here. We remain very much seized to the matter. We have discussions with our business community and provide advice to local stakeholders about the investment climate.’

He emphasized trust and transparency in partnerships: ‘You have to have a good sense of who your prospective partners are. You have to understand the facilitative framework and the environment in which they operate.’

Despite concerns, Hartman underscored Canada’s optimism: ‘We continue to encourage opportunities in this country.because the scale and scope of opportunity that exists in areas tremendously complementary between Canada and the Philippines are very robust.’

He added, ‘We’re ramping up our conversations around free trade and engagement. The more you trade, the more you connect, the better it is, the robustness of systems for all.’ (See related: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2025/11/14/canada-commits-%E2%82%B13-2-b-aid-and-trade-boost/)

EU: FTA Talks unhindered

European Union Ambassador Massimo Santoro affirmed that corruption scandals have not derailed FTA negotiations with the Philippines.

He said governance, including corruption, has been in the bilateral agenda of FTA and the Generalized System of Preferences Plus (GSP+).

Santoro welcomed the government’s visible anti-corruption measures, including President Marcos Jr.’s mention of graft in his State of the Nation Address.

‘Unless the government stops acting on corruption, there is no reason to project negative outcomes for trade or investment,’ Santoro said, emphasizing governance and accountability as part of the bilateral agenda.

THE Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Pasig City has found the dismissed mayor of Bamban, Tarlac, Alice Guo, and several others guilty of qualified human trafficking and sentenced then to life imprisonment in connection with alleged involvement in the illegal activities of a Philippine Offline Gaming Operators (Pogo) hub in her town.

Aside from Guo, also found guilty were Rachelle Joan Malonzo Carreon, Jamielyn Santos Cruz, Walter Wong Rong, Wang Welli, Wuli Dong, Nong Ding Chang and Lang Xu Po.

In an 111-page decision, Judge Annielyn Medes-Cabelis of Branch 167 of the RTC in Pasig also directed Guo and her co-accused to pay a fine of P2 million and to indemnify four victims the amount of P500,000 as moral damages and P100,000 as exemplary damages.

Likewise, the trial court ordered the forfeiture of the parcels of land registered in the name of Baofu Land Development totaling 79.218 square meters, in favor of the government, without compensation, ‘as these were used as the means of committing labor trafficking.’

The Baofu compound, which is composed of 36 buildings with KTV bar, restaurant, barbershop, and grocery store, is owned by Guo’s real estate company.

In addition, the trial court ordered the Securities and Exchange Commission to permanently revoke the registration of Baofu Land Development Inc., Hongsheng Gaming Technology Inc. and Zun Yuan Technology Inc.

It also barred the stockholders and presidents of the said companies from operating similar establishments in a different name.

Baofu is the real estate company that leased its compound to Hongsheng and Zun Yuan.

The qualified human trafficking case against Guo and her co-accused was filed by the Department of Justice last year in connection with their involvement in the operation of a Pogo hub in Baofu compound that was raided by the authorities due to information about illegal activities, including human trafficking being committed in the place.

The operation resulted in the arrest of more than 300 foreigners, most of them mainland Chinese.

Guo and her co-accused were convicted just 14 months after the court acquired jurisdiction over them.

The trial court, on the other hand, acquitted other accused namely Thelma Laranan, Rowena Gonzales-Evangelista, Rita Sapnu-Yturralde, Merlie Joy Manalo Castro and Maybeline Requiro Millo for the failure of the prosecution to prove their guilty beyond reasonable doubt.

Guo, Carreon, and Cruz were ordered to be transferred to the Correctional Institution for Women at Mandaluyong City to serve their sentence while Walter, Wang, Wuli and Lang were ordered to be committed at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.

Guo, who is facing a string of criminal cases such as graft and money laundering, has repeatedly denied her link or connection to the operation of the Pogo in her town.

In convicting Guo, the Court did not give credence to her defense that she is no longer a shareholder of Baofu since September 21, 2021 after she assigned all her shares to a certain Jack Uy.

The trial court noted that the environmental compliance certificate issued by the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (DENR) on November 19, 2021 named her as owner of Baofu

‘Another evidence that accused Guo is still connected with Baofu is the fact that a motor vehicle registered in her name was found inside the Baofu compound during the raid on 13 March 2024,’ Cabelis said.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) hailed the court’s decision and its prosecution team headed by Deputy State Prosecutor Olivia Torrevillas, for securing Guo’s conviction.

Hontiveros satisfied

Sen. Anna Theresia Hontiveros, chairwoman of Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality, expressed satisfaction over the conviction of Guo and companions.

In a statement, Hontiveros said, ‘Today, justice has been served. The conviction of Alice Guo aka Guo Hua Ping is a victory against corruption, human trafficking, cybercrime, and many other transnational crimes. Ngayon, hindi na sila makakaulit [They can no longer commit the same crimes].’

Hontiveros added: ‘This Senate investigation delivered unprecedented results: it helped secure a presidential executive order banning Pogos, provided evidence towards a guilty verdict, sending a criminal to prison for life, and contributed in the passage of the Anti-Pogo Law of 2025.

‘I am proud to consider it one of the most consequential Senate inquiries of my life’s work so far.’

In the same statement, Hontiveros thanked the victims, witnesses and whistleblowers who had the courage to testify during the Senate investigation.

In addition, Hontiveros said: ‘My deepest gratitude to the Department of Justice prosecutors who brought this case to justice. Sa ating mga law enforcers na hindi nagsawang mag-imbestiga, mag-raid, at mag-rescue, maraming salamat sa inyo.’

Hontiveros also said, ‘as chairperson of Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality that led the investigation, this makes me feel optimistic about the work we do. But it is far from over.

‘We will continue to demand accountability from every government agency that failed in their duties, and we will continue to investigate the full extent of Chinese intelligence operations in our country.

‘And to all others who enabled Alice Guo’s criminal empire: the Philippines is not a playground for exploitation, infiltration, and espionage.

‘Accountability is coming. Justice always finds a way.’

HITTING THE JACKPOT

The actress has had bad luck with her former boyfriends and their families but this time, she may have hit the jackpot (in her eyes, at least). The buzz is strong that the actress’ new love is a well-connected politician who just came out of a long- term relationship. People are suspicious because the young actress is suddenly wearing expensive jewelry and watches, and catching luxury bags. Definitely, the actress is not poor. She had been working since she was a child and has money of her own. However, the things she has been wearing lately are definitely out of her price range. The politician is known for being generous to his girlfriends but he is also known for taking back the most expensive products he had given his exes and that’s a red flag.

TRAUMATIZED

So the actress had some surgery on her face which didn’t turn out nice. She became the object of jokes and memes. So she quietly underwent another surgery to fix whatever had been botched. During a recent big event of her network, the actress was noticeably absent. According to the grapevine, the actress purposely did not go because she feared being the butt of jokes again. She just wants to work quietly and hopes that in time, this too will pass. The actress is one of the nicest in this business. She works hard to improve her craft and is generally well- liked by people in the industry. It’s too bad that she is being defined by her appearance.

JUST FRIENDS

The guy is the other half of a popular showbiz loveteam. He and his onscreen partner look good together and they get along. However, it seems that the guy’s partner likes him more than he likes her. Insiders said that if you probe into the guy’s past, you’ll see that one of his exes is also a man and that isn’t shocking really in these days. But for fans of the loveteam, that could be devastating, considering how seriously people look at their favorite loveteams in this country. The (unanswered) questions are: Does the girl know that her onscreen partner once dated a guy? Do they have an agreement that they live separate lives off-camera? Does he like her or is she his ticket to success?

BITTER RIVALS

The tension between the two starlets is palpable, as seen during a recent network event. Starlet 1 has a permanent smile on her face whenever Starlet 2 is around and this smile does not falter. Meanwhile, Starlet 2 is her usual bubbly self. She will talk to her rival if she has to but they can’t be friends. Meanwhile, Starlet 1 is the fiercer competitor simply because she hates losing. She has nothing personal against Starlet 2. She just does not like the other girl and would rather keep her at arms’ length. For Starlet 2, who is known to be kind and sweet, this rivalry and feud is just all in a day’s work. She does not wish the other girl any ill and hopes that one day, things will be better between them.

THE Ayala-led Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) is extending P47.07 billion to Prime Infrastructure Capital Inc. (Prime Infra) of the Razon Group to acquire a stake in First Gen Corporation’s (FGEN) natural gas-fired power plants and liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Batangas.

A statement issued by the lender last Thursday read that the loan will fund Prime Infra’s acquisition of a 60 percent stake in the gas-fired power portfolio and LNG terminal in Batangas of First Gen Corp. (FGEN).

The transaction forms part of a broader deal valued at around P50 billion, covering Prime Infra’s entry into some of the country’s most critical gas assets

The Philippine Competition Commission cleared the deal in October 2025, allowing Prime Infra to move forward with the acquisition.

FGEN will retain the remaining 40 percent share in the assets, which include more than 2,000 megawatts of gas-fired generation capacity and one of the country’s main LNG import terminals.

BPI said Prime Infra’s acquisition further contributes to the country’s transition to more dependable energy sources.

‘By financing the acquisition, BPI helps enable power supply stability as the country transitions to its long-term goal of increasing the share of renewables in the energy mix,’ the lender said.

BPI Institutional Banking Head Louie Cruz said the bank’s participation reflects its support for projects that enhance the country’s energy security.

‘We value leveraging our expertise in structuring complex, large-scale financing facilities that enable industry players to deliver viable and reliable energy solutions for the nation,’ Cruz said.

‘The transaction is a milestone in securing the country’s energy future,’ said Prime Infra President and Chief Executive Officer Guillaume Lucci.

‘With reliable LNG infrastructure and efficient gas-fired facilities, the Philippines can better manage the volatility of energy supply by providing power during the transition towards more renewable energy sources for the grid,’ Lucci added.

Prime Infra is the infrastructure arm of the Razon Group, investing in, developing, and operating critical assets in essential sectors such as sustainable energy, water, and waste management.

FGEN is the listed power generation company of the Lopez Group, and operates the country’s largest portfolio of renewable energy, which includes geothermal, hydro, wind and solar power.

Give it to an old man-aging if you wish-to pine for the perfect breakfast.

I am in the far-off South as I speak and yesterday, I struggled with a set breakfast in this small hotel. The choice was the usual fried rice with sausage or corned beef, predictable fare until the steward began explaining the added spices, which when queried, presented with details that would pose a challenge to my morning frustration.

I am a bread guy. The most basic pan de sal makes me happy and when butter, salted and of good hotel variety, at least, presents itself, I am happy. Lately, I have realized the unsalted butter has yielded itself as common in most hotels. Uncertain as to where this fashion is coming from or if this is part of any sumptuary law, the unsalted butter has become one of my frustrations anywhere I go.until this very morning when I found out that there would be a morning when I would be facing down my plate of omelette, and contemplating how gross vegetables can become when one does not like the presentation at all.

Then and there, I promised to look the next day for the best bakery. There should be at least a few meters outside my hotel. Or some pastry shops.

Ever the person with the positive view of things, I know myself. I have the ability to find, well, eternity in an hour. More or less. Already, I began this journey to the south with the most bureaucratic route, completing what my airline ticket tells me to do, which was to fly at six in the morning and wait it out in the airport for the next six hours for my next flight. This means meditating over cups of coffee and in between subsisting on porridge and salad and, after much digressing, giving in finally to the desire of my heart-a sip of Coke Zero.

The guilt notwithstanding, I could hear my endocrinologist and cardiologist and my sister and all their fair warning but I am all keyed up for an adventure. I am much braver now, I tell myself, I should be having fun. I should be a bit laid back, bored even, insouciant, weary for the world, a little bit bohemian, altogether pretentious, oh but why not, throw caution to the four or even five winds.

I file away my thoughts and scramble for memories. I searched online and found old photos. There was one tucked somewhere, a quiet scene of Ticao Island. I quickly posted it. A cousin noticed it immediately and commented when I made the visit. I was candid. It’s an old photo.

Something happens when we travel far-we begin to miss our islands, our birthplaces. We feel we are moving far from where we were born. We are almost afraid of not being able to return to our roots, to the beginning.

Here in this hotel, I was looking out into the hills and mountain ranges in the distance. Those are towns and villages. Those mounds hide gold and wealth. They are far and they do not have my memories, nor my childhood. They are far away. We are far from them. Even if I close my eyes, I will have a hard time imagining the island of my birth. Something hides the enchantment of my remembering.

There are new trees, new growth in front of the hotel. These are sad trees because there are no birds. The leaves are very sparse and no bird could hide from these thin leaves. The birds could be somewhere else.

This must be the face of solitude, when one is not able to find the right moment for the ideal morning coffee. Nothing makes sense, not the bitterness in the cup. And so, we go through the ordeal of looking around for the right bread. We walk the extra mile, or at least a few meters. Indeed, I searched high and low for good coffee and in one of the stores, the store manager was solicitous enough to present me with cappuccino. Instant! She went out of her way to temper the instance with the right infusion of water, hoping not to dilute the already artificial version of what I think she was imagining my coffee to be. After the scent from the brew suffused us both, she offered their bread. I politely refused as I already saw the bakery next door.

I went out with my instant Cappuccino, walked to the bakery and bought two pieces of bread. I sat down outside, contented at least, for that morning, as trucks lumbered to eternity past me, bearing all my sorrows and joys till the next mornings of my old life.

Despite the recent major revamp in the Cabinet following allegations that some members were involved in inserting P100 billion worth of projects into the 2025 national budget, Malacañang has stated that no internal investigation is currently being conducted.

Instead, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro attributed the recent changes in the Cabinet to the performance evaluation, which is regularly conducted by President Ferdinand Marcos.

‘I can’t say anything that everyone [in the Cabinet] is under investigation. So, what the President can only carry out is the usual and regular performance [evaluation] of each cabinet,’ she said in Filipino in a press briefing last Thursday.

Since the start of Marcos’ presidency in 2022, his Cabinet has already undergone several revamps due to the ‘voluntary resignation’ of some of its members or as a result of the chief executive’s performance assessment secretaries.

The latest to leave the Cabinet were former Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin and former Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman after they were linked to the allegations made by former Ako Bicol Party list representative Elizaldy ‘Zaldy’ Co that Marcos ordered the insertion of P100 billion worth of projects in the 2025 budget.

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo ‘Ping’ M. Lacson claimed Bersamin helped in facilitating the collection of P52 billion worth of kickbacks from the 2025 budget, which the former executive secretary denied.

Last Monday, Castro announced the voluntary resignation of Bersamin and Pangandaman. However, the former executive secretary said he was ordered to vacate his post.

The Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary maintained that Bersamin voluntarily resigned.

‘The Palace acknowledges former Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin’s clarification regarding the manner of his transition,’ Castro said.

‘As he [Bersamin] himself stated in his interview, he submitted himself to the President’s discretion and prerogative as part of the ongoing reorganization. The Palace announcement was issued in line with this understanding and with due regard for stability and continuity in governance,’ she added.

Lawmakers on Thursday called for an ‘open and transparent’ bicameral conference committee through livestreamed proceedings to restore public trust amid allegations of insertions in previous budgets.

In a joint statement, House Deputy Minority Leader and Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Partylist Rep. Leila de Lima and fellow Liberal Party (LP) lawmakers urged the Committee to implement a raft of measures to ensure transparency.

‘Amid the corruption issues hounding the passage of previous national budgets-made worse by the secretive nature of the bicameral conference committee where controversial insertions are allegedly made-implementing an open and transparent bicam is long overdue. It is not optional. It is non-negotiable,’ the solons said.

The House earlier passed the proposed P6.793 trillion National Budget for 2026 on third and final reading, with the Senate plenary budget deliberations ongoing. This would be moved to the bicam following the Senate’s approval.

As such, the lawmakers said the Committee should livestream the full bicameral meetings, including deliberations, while comprehensive bicameral meetings should be published.

They also seek the presentation of the detailed matrix of the differences between the House’s and the Senate’s proposed General Appropriations Bill (GAB), and how these differences were reconciled.

Furthermore, machine-readable copies of House GAB, Senate GAB, House and Senate committee reports, and bicam reports should be publicly available.

The lawmakers also noted that amendments, including the names of the members of the panel and their respective chambers who proposed these changes, should be disclosed.

Lastly, they said the media should be allowed to cover the entire bicam proceedings, and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) should have access and the opportunity to raise questions and comments during the bicam.

‘Kaban ng bayan ang pinag-uusapan. May pakialam ang lahat kung paano at saan nilalaan at ginagastos ang pera ng mamamayan. Sa tama, angkop at makabuluhang mga programa, proyekto at serbisyo ba ito napupunta? O sa mga bulsa ng mga tiwaling opisyal at kawani ng pamahalaan at ng kanilang mga kasabwat sa pribadong sektor?’ the joint statement read.

‘Kapakanan ng bayan at kinabukasan ng ating kabataan ang nakasalalay rito. Tiwala ng tao sa gobyerno ang mismong nakataya. It is a gross injustice to continue denying access of the public to the proceedings of the bicam, which constitutes a deprivation of the constitutionally guaranteed right of the Filipino people to information on matters of public concern. They are entitled to know where every centavo of their taxes goes,’ it added.

Earlier, lawmakers filed Joint Resolution No. 2 to institutionalize public access to bicam proceedings.

‘We hope that our colleagues in the House of Representatives and in the Senate recognize the urgency of implementing an open and transparent bicam,’ the solons said.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is proposing key amendments to the rules governing real estate investment trusts (REITs), including broadening the list of income-generating real estate assets that may comprise a portfolio.

The SEC released for public comment the proposed amendments to SEC Memorandum Circular 1, Series of 2020, or the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 9856 or the Real Estate Investment Trust Act of 2009.

The draft amendments also seek to provide flexibility for the REIT sponsor in reinvesting proceeds from the listing of the REIT and relax the minimum public ownership requirement, among others.

‘The proposed reforms will help ensure that the REIT framework remains robust and responsive to evolving market needs, thereby enabling the real estate sector to unlock more capital that will further support their growth and to contribute more to the development of our economy,’ SEC Chairman Francis E. Lim said.

The proposed amendments expand the definition of income-generating real estate assets by allowing a REIT to directly or indirectly own income-generating real estate through a shareholding in an unlisted special purpose vehicle wholly owned by the REIT and duly constituted to primarily hold or own real estate.

The SEC is also proposing to include within the definition of income-generating real estate those real properties with regular streams of income, or those with recurring and predictable cash inflows derived from the lease of, or other similar arrangements involving such properties.

These may include rental properties from transportation, information and communications technology, and energy infrastructure assets; parking lots; buildings; malls; warehouses or storage facilities; immovable fixtures, machineries, facilities, and structures; and real rights over properties, which include usufruct, easements, registered leases.

More companies may be classified as REITs under the amended rules-effectively expanding the scope of real properties that may comprise a REIT’s portfolio.

Meanwhile, the draft circular extends the period for the utilization of reinvestment proceeds to two years, from the previous standard of one year from the date of receipt of the proceeds.

Reinvestment in the Philippines may take the form of investment in equity, the extension of loans or purchase of debt instruments or the repayment of loans or debt instruments in relation to any real estate or infrastructure project-both government and privately initiated-in the Philippines.

The SEC is further relaxing the compliance with the minimum public ownership (MPO) requirement for REITs, allowing for a temporary dip in instances when there is an issuance of additional shares to its sponsor/promoter or the latter’s affiliates in exchange for income-generating real estate or real rights over immovable property, subject to certain conditions.

The temporary dip in public float may be allowed when the transaction has been approved by the SEC and the Philippine Stock Exchange, when it submits a plan and timetable to the commission on how the MPO requirement will be restored; and when the REIT publicly discloses the temporary breach and the remedial plan in its structured reports and on its website.

The SEC is accepting comments until December 3.

MANULIFE Investment Management and Trust Corp. on Wednesday launched a sector-focused unit investment trust fund that aims to capture opportunities in the semiconductor industry, an industry powering the use of artificial intelligence and next-generation technologies.

The semiconductor fund is a global equity feeder UITF designed to maximize total return by investing in a collective investment scheme, the target fund, which aims for capital appreciation by allocating at least 70 percent of its net assets to equity and equity-related securities of leading semiconductor companies globally.

This strategic approach positions investors to capture growth potential across the semiconductors and artificial intelligence value chain, the company said.

‘The Manulife Global Semiconductor Opportunities Equity Feeder Fund empowers Filipino investors to participate in one of the most transformative technology trends shaping the global economy,’ Aira Gaspar, president and CEO of Manulife Investments, said.

The said feeder fund is the newest addition to Manulife Investments suite of UITFs. It is designed for potential long-term capital appreciation.

Investors may access the Fund for as low as $100 or P1,000, offering an affordable way to participate in the future growth opportunities of the semiconductor industry.

‘Semiconductors serve as the foundation of modern innovation and power artificial intelligence, automation, and digital connectivity. As demand for advanced technologies increases, this new UITF provides our customers with access to leading companies driving progress across the semiconductor and AI value chain,’ Gaspar said.

The new fund, she said, reflects its commitment to offering forward-looking investment solutions that help Filipinos build wealth, reach their financial aspirations, and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving digital world.

According to Manulife Investments, as the technology sector converges with every part of the Filipino’s daily lives, the semiconductor sector holds enormous growth potential.

The semiconductor market is expected to surpass $1 trillion by 2030, presenting significant opportunities for investors seeking capital appreciation through exposure to this rapidly expanding sector.

Furthermore, while mega-cap players remain dominant, Manulife said there are compelling opportunities in under-researched semiconductor companies with differentiated technologies and strong competitive moats.

An active management approach allows the Target Fund to navigate market cycles and invest in semiconductor leaders positioned for long-term success.