Category: Business Mirror

An Australian healthcare group is interested in establishing an information technology-business process outsourcing (IT-BPO) operation in the Philippines to provide administrative and back-office services for its health businesses in Australia and other overseas markets, according to the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza).

Kairos Care Pty. Ltd. and Kairos Medical Group Pty. Ltd. last week discussed their plans on the potential expansion of their Philippine operations to serve healthcare organizations beyond their Australian businesses.

The delegation aims to set up export-oriented support operations in the country, with the companies also looking to work with local universities for internships and future talent recruitment.

Kairos Care, an Australian company established in 2020, initially focused on mental-health support before expanding into disability and aged-care services.

Meanwhile, Kairos Medical Group, established in 2025, provides general medical, nursing, allied health, psychology and mental-health services.

The group is also exploring possible partnerships with Philippine resorts for wellness and rehabilitation programs related to mental health and disability care, according to Peza.

The potential investment comes as Australian companies maintain a significant presence in the Philippine economy.

Peza data showed that 91 Australian companies were registered with the authority as of 2025, with combined investments of more than P19 billion and a workforce of over 40,000 Filipinos.

Separately, data from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade showed that more than 250 major Australian companies operate in the Philippines, employing more than 41,000 Filipinos.

The Kairos proposal adds to the growing number of foreign healthcare-related businesses exploring the country not only as a service market but also as a base for outsourced administrative, technical and support functions.

Peza said the planned operations could also open opportunities for partnerships between the Australian companies and Philippine universities as the group develops its local workforce.

THE Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DepDev) is pushing for stronger power-sector reforms to bring down electricity costs, which it identified among the most binding constraints to growth and industrialization.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said proposed amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (Epira) should strengthen the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and improve its coordination with the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC).

‘One is about the need to strengthen ERC. The second is to strengthen the coordination between the ERC and the Philippine Competition Commission so that it is more effective in going after market abuse or abuse of market power by any participant in the electricity market,’ Balisacan said during the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) briefing.

Balisacan said investors have long flagged expensive electricity as a major constraint to expanding economic activity.

‘One of the most binding constraints to growth and industrialization, as pointed out by many investors, is the high cost of electricity,’ he said.

‘If the investment is able to reduce that cost, then the multiplier effects are going to be much better,’ he added.

In his presentation earlier in the day, Balisacan said ensuring reliable and affordable energy would require the expansion of renewable generation, modernization of the power grid, more efficient permitting processes, and stronger competition in the electricity market.

DepDev also identified Epira amendments among the Marcos administration’s priority legislative measures under energy security and sustainability.

He said the government had previously opted to pursue Epira amendments in segments due to the complexity of revising the law in one sweep.

Among the areas identified were extending the life of the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) until 2036, strengthening the ERC, and reinforcing the competition mandates of both the ERC and PCC.

Broadening sources of growth

The push to bring down electricity costs also comes as DepDev seeks to attract more investment into industry and exports to broaden the country’s sources of growth.

Balisacan said the Philippines needs to strengthen investment and exports while revitalizing industry, noting that the country continues to lag several of its Southeast Asian peers in fixed investment and export performance.

He said high energy costs make it harder for manufacturers to expand and generate better-quality jobs, particularly in export-oriented industries.

‘If the cost of energy is high, there’s no way that you could generate a lot of jobs, high-quality jobs, because your manufacturing would not be able to generate good enough employment and especially for exports,’ Balisacan said.

JAECOO J5 HEV and J5 EV to make their official Cebu debut, showcasing intelligent technology, Smart Cockpit, and next-generation electrified performance

August 18, 2026 – OMODA and JAECOO Philippines is set to officially launch the JAECOO J5 in Cebu on August 20, 2026, bringing its latest electrified SUV offerings closer to customers in the Visayas.

The official Cebu launch will introduce both the JAECOO J5 HEV and JAECOO J5 EV, giving customers two electrified mobility options while highlighting JAECOO’s focus on intelligent technology, modern SUV design, comfort, and performance.

The Cebu debut is part of OMODA and JAECOO Philippines’ continuing nationwide expansion and its efforts to make smart and electrified mobility more accessible to Filipino customers outside Metro Manila.

JAECOO J5: Two Electrified Options

The JAECOO J5 HEV combines hybrid technology with the practicality of conventional fueling, providing an electrified option for customers looking for efficiency and everyday versatility.

The JAECOO J5 EV, is designed for drivers ready to embrace full electric mobility, blending dynamic performance, intelligent technology, and contemporary SUV styling with a range that suits both urban commutes and long-distance travel. Its real-world endurance was validated in an independent test monitored by the Automobile Association Philippines (AAP), achieving an impressive 539.2 kilometers on a single charge-significantly exceeding its NEDC-rated range of 461 kilometers. This milestone not only underscores the J5 EV’s long-distance capability but also offers a tangible benchmark for customers evaluating their transition to electric vehicles.

The result highlights the J5 EV’s capability for longer-distance driving and provides an additional benchmark for customers considering the transition to electric mobility.

Smart Cockpit: Connecting Technology and the Driver

Another key highlight of the JAECOO J5 is its Smart Cockpit, which forms part of OMODA and JAECOO’s broader smart-mobility efforts.

Designed around the driver, the Smart Cockpit integrates vehicle information, connectivity, entertainment, and intelligent controls into a more intuitive driving environment. It is designed to provide greater convenience and connectivity while making vehicle interaction more seamless.

The integration of Smart Cockpit technology reflects OMODA and JAECOO’s approach to developing vehicles that combine electrification with intelligent technology and a more connected ownership experience.

Bringing Smart Mobility to Cebu

The decision to officially launch the JAECOO J5 in Cebu underscores the importance of the Visayas market in OMODA and JAECOO Philippines’ growing nationwide presence.

Cebu continues to serve as one of the country’s major economic and automotive centers outside Metro Manila, making it an important market for the introduction of new hybrid and electric vehicle technologies.

Through the J5 HEV and J5 EV, OMODA and JAECOO Philippines aims to give more customers in the Visayas access to the latest developments in electrified powertrains, intelligent vehicle technology, and smart cockpit.

Official Cebu Launch

The JAECOO J5 HEV and J5 EV will officially launch in Cebu on August 20, 2026, with launch activities scheduled at SM Seaside City Cebu from August 20 to 24.

Customers and automotive enthusiasts will be able to explore the J5 HEV and J5 EV through vehicle displays, product presentations, customer engagement activities, and test-drive opportunities.

The activities will provide visitors with an opportunity to experience the vehicles’ design, electrified performance, intelligent features, and Smart Cockpit technology firsthand.

The Cebu launch further strengthens OMODA and JAECOO Philippines’ commitment to bringing global automotive innovations closer to Filipino customers and supporting the continued growth of smart, sustainable, and electrified mobility in the Philippines.

THE Regional Trial Court in Quezon City has set for hearing and oral arguments the motion filed by Vice President Sara Duterte seeking the outright dismissal of the three counts of grave threats case filed against her by the Department of Justice (DOJ).

In a two-page order, the court set the oral arguments on August 20.

Lawyer Paul Lawrence Lim, Duterte’s counsel for the grave threats case, filed last August 14 an omnibus motion asking the court to conduct a hearing and oral arguments on her motion to defer issuance of or recall arrest warrant and quash information.

In her manifestation, Duterte moved for the conduct of a hearing and oral arguments on the case citing as sanctioned by the Revised Guidelines for Continuous Trial in Criminal Cases.

Duterte stressed that the issues presented before the Court will have ‘serious, far-reaching and dangerous consequences in our country’s legal system and the stability of the Philippine government, considering that it involves the criminal prosecution of a sitting Vice President – an impeachable officer under Section 3, Article VII and Section 2, Article IX of the 1987 Constitution.’

On Monday, the DOJ submitted its comment expressing its opposition to Duterte’s motion to defer the issuance of arrest warrant and quash information.

‘With the filing of the Comment/Opposition to the Urgent Motion by the prosecution, the Court deems it prudent to set the instant case for hearing and oral arguments on 20 August 2026 at 8:30 o’clock in the morning pursuant to…the Revised Guidelines for Continuous Trial of Criminal Cases,’ the order read.

The grave threats information was filed by DOJ before the RTC in QC on August 11 after it found prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction to indict Duterte for the crime of grave threats under Article 282 of the Revised Penal Code in relation to Section 6 of Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

The said provision punishes ‘any person who shall threaten another with the infliction upon the person, honor or property of the latter or of his family of any wrong amounting to a crime.’

The DOJ recommended a bail of P120,000 for Duterte’s provisional liberty if the court issues a warrant of arrest.

It, however, dismissed the inciting to sedition against the Vice President after the panel of prosecutors found the evidence insufficient to file the case.

The case stemmed from Duterte’s statement made in during an online press briefing in November 2024 claiming that she had hired someone to assassinate President Marcos, First Liza Araneta-Marcos and then Speaker Martin Romualdez if a purported plot against her life succeeds.

THE gods must have descended from Mount Olympus on Ernest John ‘EJ’ Obiena who soared to 5.91 meters-a height he hasn’t cleared in two years-to win gold at the Golden Sand 2026 Meet at the Promenada Gwiazd in Miedzyzdroje, Poland, on Tuesday.

Obiena moved camp from Formia in Italy to Athens in Greece last June 10 and has been flying over and above his opponents since-he has collected so far five gold and two silver medals.

And in Miedzyzdroje, he was unbeatable at 5.91m, beating with enough to spare 21-year-old Qatari Seifeldin Abdelsalam (5.75m) and American Cole Walsh (5.70m) in a countback over Hussain Al-Hizam of Saudi Arabia.

‘It’s been a while. I can’t remember when was the last time I hit 5.91 meters…maybe 2024?’ Obiena told the BusinessMirror over the phone. ‘I was surprised, but I if I stay healthy and in good condition, I believe I can jump consistently and even higher-and that is the goal.’

The last time Obiena passed the 5.90-mark was in June 2024 when he won gold at the Irena Szewinska Memorial in Poland at 5.97m and at the 2023 Asian Championships in Bangkok, at 5.91m.

The 30-year-old Obiena went for 6.0 meters but missed thrice-he’s one of only 24 members of the 6.0 Meters Club for having made the height in a gold medal-winning effort at the Vest Bergen Jump Challenge in Norway on June 10, 2023, and at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest in October 2023 where he got silver Olympic and world champion and record breaker Armand Duplantis.

Obiena said he wants to do more.

‘A lot of things to be done and I believe I can get it done [clearing higher bar]. It just a matter of time but again this is not my best yet,’ said the former world No. 2 and Asian champion and record holder said.

Obiena’s previous season best was at 5.85m that earned him silver at the Meeting de Madrid last July 17.

His got his other gold medals at the Czeslaw Cybulski Memorial in Poznan last June 30, Raiffeisen Austrian Open last July 2 in Eisenstadt in Halberstadter and Internationale Stabhochsprungmon in Jockrim in Germany early this month under new coach Marcin Szczepanski of Poland.

‘It was also huge that I transferred my training venue to Athens, Greece as I learned a lot of things under new coach Marcin,’ he said.

‘And I am looking forward to the Asian Games although I have no idea how many tournaments before I compete in the Asiad,’ the current world No. 13 added.

The Aichi-Nagoya 20th Asian Games are set September 19 to October 4.

Property giant Megaworld has started the construction of the 12-story The Bellagio Palawan, its first upscale residential condominium inside its Baytown Palawan township in Puerto Princesa City.

Inspired by Megaworld’s Forbes Town township in BGC, the residential project will offer 188 smart home units with balconies, a heated infinity pool, a fitness center, co-working spaces, and sustainable features such as bicycle parking and a rainwater harvesting system.

Leading the groundbreaking ceremony are Darwin Villestas, Head of Sales and Marketing for Megaworld Palawan (third from right), and Manuel Mendoza, Chairman of Monocrete Construction Philippines (third from left).

Also shown in the photo are (from left) Monocrete representatives Andrei Victor Asuncion, Project Manager, and Christopher Guerzon, Project Director; and Megaworld officers Christopher Dagdagan, Area Head of Construction Management, and Joe Marie Estadilla, Project-in-Charge.

Volleyball is among the top sports in the Philippines, attracting millions of fans. That is why sports news platform 1xPlay is delighted to announce that Rachel Daquis, one of the biggest stars of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL), has become the brand’s new ambassador.

Rachel is deservedly known as the queen of Philippine volleyball. Through her hard work, talent, and remarkable charisma, she has paved the way for an entire generation of aspiring athletes. Her outstanding career includes collegiate championships with FEU, MVP honors at various tournaments, and appearances for the Philippine national team.

Rachel is more than an exceptional player. She embodies the true spirit of volleyball. Her performances combine athleticism with strong leadership, and for at least the next year, she will help promote the sport as a 1xPlay ambassador.

‘It is a great honor for our brand to begin working with Rachel Daquis. She shares a unique bond with her fans and perfectly embodies the energy we look for in sports leaders. We hope this collaboration will bring us closer to the Philippines’ incredible volleyball community and contribute to the growth of the sport,’ said 1xPlay representatives.

The new alliance will bring sports enthusiasts plenty of exclusive content across the media platform and Rachel Daquis’ social media channels, including giveaways featuring branded merchandise signed by the volleyball star. In addition to online activities, in-person fan events and photo shoots are also planned.

Join the 1xPlay community to support Philippine sports, learn more about the country’s top athletes, and share in the success of your favorite stars!

THE Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) has opened the application and nomination for the Supreme Court (SC) associate justice post that will be vacated by Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier, who is set to compulsorily retire on November 16, 2026.

Lazaro’s replacement will become the second appointee of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the SC.

In June 2025, Associate Justice Raul Villanueva SC became Marcos Jr.’s first appointee in the SC, which is still dominated by magistrates who were appointed during the incumbency of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

The JBC said interested applicants must submit their applications online through the JBC Online Registration Application System (JBC O.R.A.S.) via the Philippine Judiciary Platform.

It sets the deadline for filing of online applications at 4:30 p.m. on October 1, 2026.

The JBC is a constitutional body that accepts, screens and nominates appointments to the judiciary, Office of the Ombudsman and the Legal Education Board.

The Constitution also mandates the JBC to and submit to the Office of the President a shortlist of nominees for appointment to fill in vacancies in the judiciary.

The JBC said applicants who have been found to have willfully made false statements, misrepresentations, or concealments of any information required under the 2020 Revised JBC Rules, will be disqualified from being nominated by the council or may be subject to perjury.

ARE you a young professional thinking about how to grow your wealth? Or perhaps you’re a businessman wondering how to preserve what you’ve built and pass it on to the next generation?

Creating wealth and maintaining wealth are two different disciplines. That is exactly why it matters to understand not just how to build assets, but how those assets can be structured to protect your family and be passed on well. True success, as they say, is not just about accumulation. It’s about empowering the generation that comes after you.

Over the years of working with clients across different life stages, from young professionals just starting their careers to business owners thinking about legacy, I’ve noticed the same principles keep showing up, regardless of income level or industry. Let me walk you through three of them.

1. Pay yourself first. Every wealth-building journey starts with the same simple habit: setting aside a portion of your income before you spend it.

It sounds basic, and it is, but it’s also the step most people skip. We tend to save whatever is left over after expenses, and more often than not, there’s nothing left. Flipping that order, treating savings and investing as a non-negotiable line item rather than an afterthought, is what separates people who build wealth from people who simply earn income.

This doesn’t require a large amount to start. What matters more is consistency. A modest amount set aside every month, invested with intention, compounds into something meaningful over time. The goal isn’t to find the perfect moment to start. The goal is to start, then stay consistent long enough for time and compounding to do their work.

I often tell young professionals that the specific number matters less than the habit itself. Whether it’s five percent or twenty percent of your income, what counts is that it happens automatically, before lifestyle creep has a chance to claim it. Automate it, and let discipline do the rest.

2. Know which asset protects and which asset transfers. Not every investment serves the same purpose, and this is where many Filipinos get stuck. Some assets are built for growth. Others are built for protection. And some are specifically structured to transfer wealth smoothly to the next generation, without the delays, taxes, and disputes that can come with an unplanned estate.

This is why it’s important to understand what each asset in your portfolio is actually for. Insurance, for instance, protects your income and your family’s future in the event something happens to you. Investment funds help you grow your capital over the long term. And certain vehicles, when structured properly, allow you to pass on assets efficiently to your heirs.

I’ve seen business owners who spent decades building a successful company, only to have that success threatened by the lack of a clear plan for what happens next. Families who plan early, on the other hand, are able to transition wealth across generations with far less friction. The difference almost always comes down to preparation done years in advance, not decisions made in a hurry.

3. It’s not about getting rich quickly. Investment is about disciplined, patient building. If there’s one thing I always tell clients, it’s this: wealth building rewards patience, not speed.

We live in a time where get-rich-quick schemes and overnight success stories dominate our social media feeds. But real, lasting wealth is rarely built that way. It is built through disciplined, consistent decisions made over years, sometimes decades. It is built by people who understood their goals, chose the right vehicles for those goals, and stayed the course even when the market was uncertain or the returns felt slow. Goal-based investing also protects you from one of the biggest threats to long-term success: your own emotions. When your investments are tied to a clear purpose and a clear time horizon, market swings become far less frightening. You’re no longer reacting to headlines. You’re following a plan built around what actually matters to you and your family.

The next generation

WHETHER you’re a young professional taking your first steps into investing, or a business owner thinking about how to preserve what you’ve built, the principles remain the same. Set aside a portion of your income consistently. Know which assets protect you and which ones help you pass on your wealth. And above all, commit to the slow, disciplined path rather than the fast one.

None of these principles are complicated. What they require is commitment, and often, the guidance of someone who can help you translate them into a plan suited to your specific goals and season of life.

Because in the end, true wealth isn’t measured only by what you accumulate in your lifetime. It’s measured by what your family is able to carry forward long after you’re gone.

Karlo Biglang-awa is a Registered Financial Planner of RFP Philippines. The views and opinions he expressed herein do not necessarily represent the BusinessMirror. To learn more about personal financial planning, attend the 117th RFP program this August. Email info@rfp.ph or visit rfp.ph to learn more about the program.

Philippine Seven Corp., the operator of 7-Eleven convenience stores in the country, said its operations have been affected by monsoon rains in the past two weeks as sales fell by as much as 20 percent.

Lawrence de Leon, the company’s head of finance and investor relations, said the company’s sales were still higher until July, when it celebrated its annual 7-11 day.

‘However, our sales is very sensitive to bad weather conditions. The past two weeks was really rainy. So, you can see same-store sales drop as much as 20 percent (due to bad weather),’ de Leon said during the PSE STAR investor day.

‘But the good thing is you can see our stores clustering quite evenly. So, if there’s school suspension or if there’s a work suspension, you can see some recovery in residential clusters Since it’s kind of diversified when it comes to location, but still that’s not enough for growth to become positive.’

The company’s operations were also affected by the Middle East crisis, but de Leon said it was able to anticipate supply chain disruption.

‘That’s why we did forward buying exercises. More than P1 billion. That’s three months worth of supply, so that we can protect against any disruption in suppliers’ fulfillment.’

That exercise created a strain in its free cash flow, which fell to negative territory in the first half. ‘But we think that this is temporary,’ he said.

De Leon said the company is still implanting its plan of expanding its footprint in the Visayas and Mindanao.

‘And this is just not about the store itself, so you need to have the supply lines to support expansion. Currently, we now have 28 distribution centers, not only in Luzon, but also in the Visayas.’

The company, he said, has been in the Visayas in 2012, and has slowly expanded its footprint further south of the country. It has also made considerable investments in its logistics capability.

De Leon said most of the company’s shareholders believe in the potential of the local stores compared to those in emerging markets.

‘Like in Thailand, for example. Imagine the GDP [gross domestic product] per capita of Thailand compared to the Philippines, so it’s about two and a half times. But when it comes to storefront, it’s more than four times compared to us. So, they can really see the potential over the long term from Philippines 7-Eleven.’

He said the company’s investors are looking at its capacity to open stores over the next 10 years.

‘They are not looking at a 5-year horizon; they are looking at a 10-year horizon.’