Category: Business Mirror

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Friday he will endorse a successor, who will not only continue his legacy of weeding out corruption in the government and sustain the country’s growth through nation-building, but also run against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte in the 2028 presidential elections.

Currently, only Duterte, who is facing an impeachment trial in the Senate, has publicly announced her intention to run as president in the 2028 polls.

Marcos said he is looking for a like-minded candidate who will sustain the reforms he initiated to prevent public works anomalies as well as preventing pork barrel or government funds used by politicians for pet projects that aim to please voters.

‘The government has to continue to do that because corruption is not, is not, uh, is not a, is not a Filipino problem. Corruption is a human problem. There is corruption everywhere. What you want to do is to lessen and if not eliminate as much as possible,’ Marcos said at the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines Presidential Luncheon in Manila on Friday.

‘The candidate I will endorse will be somebody who I am confident will continue what we have begun in terms of the anti-corruption push,’ he added.

Among the achievements of his campaign against corruption, which he stated in his fourth State of the Nation Address (Sona) last year, Marcos said, was the Sumbong sa Pangulo website, which was launched in August 2025, where the public can report non-operational or anomalous flood control projects.

As of May 31, the website already had 11,756 reports of defective flood control projects, 2,255 of which were unfinished, and 2,960 which were non-existent.

Marcos said he also ordered reforms in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to make sure its operations are more transparent.

He said the government is trying to remove discretionary decisions from government officials and employees in transactions by promoting digitalization.

‘So digitalization is our, is our most powerful tool for that because we remove that human element where wastage, uh, corruption can creep into,’ Marcos said.

The chief executive said he hopes the next president will also continue holding dialogues with the public and local government units so they can contribute to ‘nation building.’

‘Hopefully we have started that process once again of nation building, that we are making the country better. We’re not just custodians and just, you know, just making sure to do the same, whatever the last admin did,’ Marcos said.

‘That’s the legacy I hope to leave; that now the government is your partner hand in hand with every citizen, with every sector, hand in hand trying to build a better Philippines, trying to make the Philippines better,’ he added.

Asked for an update on the announcement he made at his fifth Sona last month that the Office of the Ombudsman will soon be filing charges against his cousin, Leyte 1st District Representative Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, Marcos said he currently has no update on the matter.

Romualdez is facing plunder charges for his alleged involvement in acquiring about P56 billion of ill-gotten wealth from 2022 to 2025.

Marcos pointed out that while he does not interfere with the decision of the Ombudsman, he will call its office to get an update on Romualdez’s case.

Okada Foundation, Inc. (OFI) turned over a PHP 20 million donation to the Malasakit and Bayanihan Foundation, Inc. on August 11 at Okada Manila, supporting nationwide humanitarian relief and educational assistance for Filipino families in need and underprivileged graduates.

The turnover ceremony was attended by OFI President James Lorenzana and representatives of the Malasakit and Bayanihan Foundation, led by Secretary General and Treasurer Marc Benedict R. Talavera and Chief of Staff Dr. Shane Kinsley E. Veloso. Also present were Atty. John Cyril E. Santiago, Utopia G. Cuyugan-Talavera, and Mariano L. Valiente Jr.

The donation will support the foundation’s ‘Malasakit sa Kapwa’ Nationwide Humanitarian and Educational Recognition Program. It will fund grocery packs containing food and hygiene essentials for indigent families, particularly those affected by natural and man-made disasters, as well as graduation grocery gift packs for underprivileged graduates of state universities and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) institutions.

Bringing Support to Local Communities

As the charitable arm of Okada Manila, OFI sees the contribution as an opportunity to help address needs that directly affect families and communities. The donation will provide practical relief to Filipinos facing difficult circumstances, including those rebuilding their lives following disasters, while supporting underprivileged graduates as they complete their education and prepare for what comes next.

‘Our partnership with the Malasakit and Bayanihan Foundation, Inc. allows us to reach Filipinos at different points of need, from families facing difficult circumstances to graduates preparing for what comes next,’ said James Lorenzana, President of Okada Foundation, Inc. ‘Through initiatives like this, we hope to contribute to stronger, more resilient communities and create an impact that extends well beyond the assistance we provide today.’

A Shared Commitment to Stronger Communities

OFI advances its social development initiatives through four key pillars: Health, Education, Cultural Heritage, and Environment. This partnership reinforces its commitment to Education through assistance for underprivileged graduates, while extending humanitarian support to families and communities facing difficult circumstances.

Through partnerships with organizations that share its commitment to meaningful social impact, OFI continues to translate these priorities into programs that address real community needs and create lasting benefits for Filipinos across the country.

BYD Cars Philippines has expanded its lineup of electrified vehicles with the launch of the All-New Atto 2 in DM-i and EV versions, while simultaneously rolling out the updated Seal 5 DM-I, marking another step forward to bring sustainable mobility. The addition of these two Atto 2 versions reflects the brand’s intent to offer practical choices across different segments, whether for families, professionals, or businesses seeking to modernize their fleets.

The Seal 5 DM-i enters as a refined sedan built on plug-in hybrid technology, combining efficiency with everyday usability. Meanwhile, the All-New Atto 2 arrives as a versatile SUV, available in both pure electric and hybrid variants, designed to lower barriers to ownership and make the switch to electrified driving more attainable. Together, these models strengthen BYD’s growing portfolio of New Energy Vehicles.

Atto 2 EV

THE Atto 2 EV stands as BYD’s most accessible full battery electric SUV, expanding the brand’s electrified lineup with a model that blends everyday usability and modern design. Beneath its clean, compact form lies a front-wheel-drive system powered by a permanent-magnet synchronous motor that produces 174 horsepower and 290 N-m of torque. Energy comes from BYD’s trusted Blade Battery (Lithium Iron Phosphate) with a 45-kWh capacity. This setup delivers up to 380 kilometers of pure electric range on the NEDC cycle.

From the outside, the Atto 2 EV carries a youthful SUV stance with balanced proportions, a bold front fascia, and aerodynamic lines that give it a confident yet approachable look. LED headlamps, daytime running lights, and side-mirror-integrated turn lamps complete its contemporary styling. Inside, the cabin emphasizes comfort and connectivity.

A 12.8-inch rotating touchscreen infotainment system anchors the dashboard, paired with seamless smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The interior layout is straightforward and functional, with supportive seating, multiple charging ports, and thoughtful storage spaces that suit Filipino families and professionals alike.

Safety and visibility are central to the Atto 2 EV’s design. It comes equipped with six parking sensors and a 360-degree see-through mode camera system, giving drivers a clear view of their surroundings and added confidence in tight spaces. Multiple airbags, electronic stability control, and advanced braking technologies further enhance protection across varied driving conditions. A highlight feature is its Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability, allowing owners to power external electronics, appliances, or equipment directly from the vehicle.

Pricing begins at ?1.338 million, effective September 1, 2026. Ownership is supported by an 8-year Drive Unit warranty, a 6-year/160,000 km bumper-to-bumper coverage, and an 8-year/160,000 km Blade Battery warranty. With its grounded design, proven powertrain, and dependable safety systems, the Atto 2 EV stands as a confident step into full electric mobility.

Atto 2 DM-i

FOR those seeking flexibility, the Atto 2 DM-i comes in Dynamic and Premium variants, both built on BYD’s Super DM-i plug-in hybrid system. Each combines a 1.5-liter high-efficiency gasoline engine with an electric motor powered by a 7.9-kWh Blade Battery (Lithium Iron Phosphate). The system delivers a balanced output of 162 hp and 300 N-m of torque. With up to 45 km of electric-only range and a combined range of 1,340 km certified by the Automobile Association Philippines, the Atto 2 DM-i offers the practicality of a hybrid with the efficiency of an EV.

Visually, the DM-i variants distinguish themselves from the EV model through subtle exterior cues. Both feature LED headlamps, daytime running lights, and side-mirror-integrated turn lamps, but the DM-i lineup carries its own color palette-Midnight Blue, Ski White, Harbour Grey, and Cosmos Black-and rides on 215/60 R17 alloy wheels. The Premium variant adds power-folding side mirrors and a 360-degree see-through mode camera system with six parking sensors, enhancing visibility and maneuverability in tight spaces.

Inside, the Dynamic variant offers a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone connectivity and fabric upholstery, while the Premium steps up with leather seats, a 12.8-inch display, and DiPilot ADAS, BYD’s advanced driver-assistance suite featuring adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking. Both share the same smart-first SUV DNA-comfortable seating, multiple USB ports, and practical storage-built for everyday use.

Pricing starts at ?1.048 million for the Dynamic and ?1.258 million for the Premium, effective September 1, 2026. Each variant includes an 8-year Drive Unit warranty, 6-year/160,000 km bumper-to-bumper coverage, and 8-year/160,000 km Blade Battery warranty, ensuring long-term reliability for Filipino motorists.

Seal 5 DM-i

THE facelifted Seal 5 DM-i builds on the success of its predecessor, now offered in Essential and Dynamic variants. At its core is BYD’s fifth-generation Super DM-i plug-in hybrid system, combining a 1.5-liter high-efficiency gasoline engine with an electric motor powered by BYD’s 7.42 kWh Blade Battery (Lithium Iron Phosphate), generating 160 hp and 210 N-m of torque.

Both variants deliver up to 55 kilometers of pure electric range, with the hybrid system seamlessly taking over for longer journeys. Together, the setup provides a combined driving range of up to 1,600 kilometers, making the Seal 5 DM-i a practical sedan for both city commutes and extended travel.

On the outside, the Seal 5 DM-i presents a refined sedan silhouette with sharper lines, a reworked front fascia, and LED lighting signatures that highlight its modern character. The Dynamic variant adds sportier alloy wheels and chrome detailing, distinguishing it from the Essential.

Inside, both variants feature an 8.8-inch digital cluster and a 10.1-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Automatic climate control with rear vents, multiple USB ports, and a spacious 522-liter trunk expandable to 1,295 liters with folded seats emphasize everyday usability.

Safety and driver confidence are enhanced with Cruise Control, TPMS, rear parking sensors, Vehicle Dynamic Control, Hill Hold Control, Automatic Vehicle Hold, and multiple airbags. Both variants also integrate BYD’s DiPilot driver-assistance system, offering adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and collision mitigation features-technology that elevates the Seal 5 DM-i beyond conventional sedans.

Pricing begins at ?948,000 for the Essential and ?1.048 million for the Dynamic, effective September 1, 2026. Each unit includes an 8-year Drive Unit warranty, 6-year/160,000 km bumper-to-bumper coverage, and 8-year/160,000 km Blade Battery warranty, underscoring BYD’s commitment to long-term reliability.

FORTUNE Life Insurance Company formalized its partnership with PinoyLiga Cup through PEMC Marketing Consultancy, officially becoming a co-presentor of ‘2026 PinoyLiga Cup- The Big Dance.’

The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing was held at the Fortune Life Head Office in Makati last Wednesday.

The agreement was signed by Emma M. Abad, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Fortune Life Insurance Company, and Francis Solon D. Benitez, Agency Lead of PEMC Marketing Consultancy.

Under the partnership, Fortune Life will provide Group Personal Accident Insurance coverage for team players and coaches participating in the collegiate cup, ensuring that young athletes are protected as they compete for one month.

The games officially began last Tuesday at the Enderun Colleges in McKinley, BGC.

This initiative reflects Fortune Life’s continuing commitment to provide meaningful support to young Filipino athletes and underscores the shared commitment of both organizations to promoting protection and preparedness, particularly for students actively engaged in sports and training.

The company recognizes the importance of safeguarding student-athletes under existing government policies, including CHED Memorandum Order No. 13, Series of 2026, and Republic Act No. 10676, or the Student-Athletes Protection Act.

Fortune Life stands behind the young athletes who represent the future of Philippine sports, committed to ensuring that protection reaches every Filipino as they compete, grow and pursue their goals.

The integration Coins’ biller network and removes intermediaries for faster processing

Coins.ph, the Philippines’ leading digital asset exchange and one of the fastest-growing mobile wallets, has entered into a strategic partnership with Bayad, the premier bills payment network in the country.

This collaboration strengthen’s Coins.ph’s utility as an all-in-one money app with a reliable suite of payments and trading capabilities. Through direct integration with Bayad’s vast network, Coins.ph bypasses third-party aggregators to deliver faster, more seamless, and highly reliable bill payments directly within the app.

Bridging the Gap: More Billers, Faster Posting

Thanks to Bayad’s impressive network, the number of billers available to Coins.ph users increase to nearly 300 merchants, doubling the app’s capacity.

The expanded network brings together everyday essentials across 17 distinct categories, allowing Coins.ph users to clear their monthly checklists in one seamless platform. This includes critical utilities, government services, telecommunications, travel, and banking.

Backend Friction Eliminated

Through Bayad’s direct API integration, Coins.ph now offers Real-Time Posting (RTP) for major billers. This ensures payments are posted within 24 hours to prevent late-fee Anxieties.

For the platform’s bill-only users who rely on the app solely for recurring, real-world obligations rather than digital asset trading, this change ensures a best-in class, frictionless payment journey.

‘We want to show how Coins.ph fits naturally into your daily life,’ said Amira Alawi, Coins.ph Global Marketing Director. ‘By partnering with a household name as trusted as Bayad, we’re making it incredibly easy for our users to settle their utilities and everyday expenses with nearly 300 billers, all in just a few taps.’

‘This partnership bridges the best of everyday traditional payments with the power of digital finance,’ said Dennis Gatuslao, Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer of Bayad. ‘By linking Bayad’s direct-to-biller network with Coins.ph’s innovative app, we are eliminating boundaries for users. It’s all about creating a faster, more reliable experience that shows how effortless managing household expenses can truly be.’

The updated biller options are now fully live and accessible to all registered Coins.ph users through the latest version of the mobile app on iOS and Android.

DIGITAL transformation is often described as a technology journey. I have come to believe that it is, first and foremost, a leadership journey.

Many organizations begin by asking, ‘What technology should we buy?’ Perhaps the better question is, ‘What prevents our people from doing their best work?’

This is one of my most important takeaway from a recent conversation with Jessica DiPietro, an association professional and technology strategist, on the Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives (PCAAE) ‘Association Matters’ podcast titled ‘Leading Digital Transformation: How One Association Reimagined Its Technology for Greater Impact.’

Jessica’s story will sound familiar to many association executives. Staff members create workarounds. They manually transfer information from one system to another. They perform tasks that technology should have automated years ago. Because they are dedicated and resourceful, the work gets done. Members are served. Programs continue to operate.

Leaders celebrate the outcome, unaware that their most valuable resource, their people, is paying the price.

The greatest irony of high-performing organizations is that exceptional people can unintentionally conceal broken systems. Success can become an excuse for maintaining the status quo.

Jessica shared that her organization was managing 17 member-related technology platforms that did not integrate effectively. The association was spending approximately US$70,000 annually on technology while simultaneously absorbing the hidden costs of inefficiency like manual processes, duplicated work, staff frustration, and lost opportunities to create greater member value.

What I found particularly instructive was where the transformation began. It did not begin with software demonstrations or requests for proposals. It began with conversations.

Jessica asked her colleagues simple but powerful questions: ‘Walk me through your day,’ ‘What annoys you?’ and ‘What would make your work easier?’ By listening carefully, documenting workflows, and aligning technology decisions with organizational goals, the association discovered not only where systems could improve, but where processes could simply be eliminated.

The results were remarkable: technology subscriptions were consolidated, annual costs were reduced by $20,000, staff time was significantly recovered, and member experience improved dramatically. Website login times, for example, dropped from as much as 15 seconds to half a second.

Yet I suspect the most important outcome cannot be measured financially.

Staff members gained something increasingly precious in today’s workplace: the time and freedom to focus on meaningful work. Instead of wrestling with technology, they could devote their efforts to advancing their mission and serving their members.

There is an important lesson here for every association leader. Technology is not an end in itself. Digital transformation succeeds only when it strengthens people, advances purpose, and deepens member value.

If I may leave one thought with our readers, it is this: Organizations do not transform when they simply modernize their technology. They transform when their leaders listen deeply enough to discover what their people and their mission truly need.

Octavio Peralta is founder and volunteer CEO of the Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives (PCAAE), the ‘association of associations.’ The PCAAE will hold its 14th Annual Associations Summit (AS14) on November 24, 2026, at the Asian Institute of Management. The views he expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the BusinessMirror. E mail: bobby@pcaae.org

THE local unit of Japan Tobacco International (JTI) is urging Asean governments to tighten and harmonize export controls and require tobacco products to comply with destination-market rules after illicit trade cost the region an estimated $13.1 billion in revenues over the past two years.

Speaking at the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines’ economic forum on Friday, JTI Philippines (JTIP) Fiscal and Regulatory Affairs Director Mario Zinampan said illicit tobacco trade is no longer a country issue but an ‘Asean-wide crisis’ that requires a coordinated regional response.

‘The [United Nations] has warned Southeast Asia that it faces growing threats from transnational organized crime,’ Zinampan said. ‘What we are confronting is not an isolated Philippine issue but part of a broader regional criminal ecosystem.’

As such, JTIP is proposing an ‘Asean Declaration on Harmonizing Rules to Combat Illicit Trade in High-Risk and Sensitive Goods,’ along with guidelines on export integrity, customs cooperation, track-and-trace interoperability and intelligence sharing.

Asean countries would be required to comply with destination-country rules, improving proof-of-export and verification requirements, enhancing customs coordination, exchanging information on illicit routes and diversion schemes and promoting interoperable systems to support real-time monitoring of goods moving across borders.

Zinampan said the proposal aims to establish common export integrity principles to make products moving across Asean borders less vulnerable to smuggling, misdeclaration, undervaluation, counterfeiting and diversion.

The so-called destination principle is also already embedded in various Philippine laws and regulations, which require exporters to comply with the legal and regulatory requirements of the destination country, Zinampan added.

However, similar requirements are not uniformly applied across Asean, creating regulatory gaps that can be exploited by illicit traders, he added.

‘The weakest link puts the entire region at risk,’ Zinampan said. ‘Asean should harmonize the destination principle and align export control rules to close loopholes and strengthen enforcement.’

BIR, BOC destroy smuggled cigarettes

A separate statement by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on Friday read that it destroyed, together with the Bureau of Customs (BOC), illicit tobacco products and manufacturing materials seized in Cebu last Thursday.

The destruction covered 170,052 packs of illicit cigarettes, 1,567 boxes and sacks of cigarette raw materials and two production machines, with around P240 million in unpaid taxes and administrative penalties, seized from various enforcement operations in Cebu.

‘Once the proceedings are final, there should be no unnecessary delay in disposing of these illicit products,’ Internal Revenue Commissioner Charlito Martin R. Mendoza was quoted as saying.

‘We will also continue working closely with the BOC and our other enforcement partners to strengthen the campaign against illicit tobacco, keep these products off the market, and hold those responsible accountable,’ Mendoza added.

Based on the latest Euromonitor study, the Philippine government lost about P141 billion in revenues from illicit tobacco trade over the last two years, with one in four cigarettes sold in the country considered.

Across Asean, Indonesia had the biggest revenue losses worth $5.6 billion, followed by Malaysia and the Philippines at $2.5 billion in revenue losses each.

Illicit tobacco incidence in the region is projected to increase to 27.8 percent in 2028 from 23.6 percent in 2025, according to the study.

EVERY car launch is a momentous event as it resembles the coming of a new-born baby. The recent unveiling of the eighth generation Lexus ES was no exception.

Brilliantly emceed by the famed Issa Litton, the occasion immediately became the talk of the town as avid car enthusiasts packed the Lexus Gallery Manila for a look-see of the iconic Lexus flagship. And to give you a ringside view of the spectacle, it is my honor to print here the speech of Alfred V. Ty, the always dapper chairman of both Lexus Philippines and Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP). Here:

‘The Lexus ES has been in the Philippines since Lexus arrived 17 years ago, and today, we are bringing to you the 8th generation of this iconic model.

‘Your new ES delivers the most evocative and expansive change ever. It combines a redesigned exterior, a more spacious cabin and a renewed platform and powertrain.

‘An extended wheelbase, along with improvements to the body and chassis, elevates ride comfort, handling stability and interior space, ensuring that ES transforms itself while staying true to its heritage.

‘The all-new ES is the ultimate executive sedan that provides an unparalleled passenger experience, quiet, comfort, big leg room while also offering thrilling driving moments when you are behind the wheel.

‘Most of all, the all-new ES will now come with both the hybrid electric power train and, yes, a full battery electric variant.

DOWNTREND

‘LAST year, the Philippine economy experienced a downtrend as an off-shoot of the infrastructure irregularities and extraordinary natural disasters in the second half of the year. This slowing of economic activity carried forward to 2026.

‘Matters took a turn for the worse when the war started between the USA and Iran and a fuel crisis was declared. The local-and global-economy went into a tailspin.

‘While the deceleration of GDP reflected the general decline in economic sentiment, the negative impact was more immediately felt by banks, malls, restaurants and hotels even on the first month of the war.

‘Fuel pump prices rose to record highs. The automotive market dropped in March then experienced an even more significant decline in April.

RECOVERY

‘HOWEVER, the market has started to show signs of an early recovery in May, June and July. It might be too soon to claim a recovery, but it appears that the market is hopefully heading in the right direction.

‘In light of the economic challenges, a surge in demand for new energy vehicles has been a silver lining. It is clear that electrified mobility is real. Toyota/Lexus prides itself in pioneering the transition to EVs going back to 1997 with the global launch of the Toyota Prius.

‘Since then, Toyota and Lexus have sold approximately 27 million electrified vehicles worldwide-far more than any other automaker. (This has resulted in a cumulative reduction of 197 million tons of CO2.)

MOST PREFERRED

‘IN the Philippines, Lexus has been the most preferred luxury brand. In fact, last year, thanks to your most valued support, Lexus Philippines was recognized as having the highest market share in the Asean region.

‘We remain committed to building automobiles that deliver unmatched comfort, durability and driving pleasure. As well, we continue to craft ownership experiences that are based on the highest levels of ‘omotenashi’ in the world.

‘It has been 15 years since Lexus Japan first introduced the technology of the hybrid engine and combining with the renowned quiet comfort and proven durability.

‘Since then, our offering of Lexus HEV models has increased to 9 with a total of 19 variants. Aside from today’s ES, Lexus also offers two full battery electric vehicles.

14,200 UNITS

‘CUMULATIVE sales of Lexus in the Philippines from 17 years ago has reached almost 14,200 units of which almost half are xEVs. In fact, for the first half of this year, 93 percent of our Lexus sales are electrified.

‘The recovery of auto sales was also driven by a return of demand for Internal Combustion Engine vehicles. [In May, sales of ICE vehicles rose by 32 percent from the lows of April. In June, this rose even higher by another 10 percent versus May.]

‘This fuel crisis has proven that there is a continued strong demand for xEV and ICE-driven models. This makes our multi-pathway approach to carbon neutrality more relevant.

38TH YEAR

‘JUST last Monday, August 3, Toyota Motor Philippines celebrated its 38th year of partnership with the Philippines towards nation building.

‘Last year’s 229,000 unit sales contributed 45 billion pesos in taxes to the government and another 19 billion pesos in 2026, so far. This year, Toyota and Lexus will breach the three million mark in cumulative sales from 1989. This is a humbling testament to our commitment to our relentless pursuit of perfection and to our winning the smiles of Filipinos, one Filipino at a time. We sincerely thank you for your past and continuing trust.

‘As we welcome our newest Lexus ES, I invite you all to experience its unmatched performance and comfort.

‘Thank you for joining us this evening. Please enjoy. This is your home.’

PEE STOP The next Toyota Gazoo Racing Philippine Cup is set on August 15 in Rosario, Batangas, before the event goes back to Clark in Angeles, Pampanga, possibly on September 12. As usual, the events are free to the public…Yayee Tobia sends her birthday greetings to MTRCB board members Miray Muhlach (August 8), Atty. Cesar Pareja (August 21) and Gelo Jamias (August 24). Belated birthday greetings also to BM KitaKeats Musngi (July 24). Cheers!

THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will challenge a Pasig court order granting a preliminary injunction against the implementation of the new minimum wage increase in Metro Manila.

Labor Secretary Francis N. Tolentino said the department would exhaust available legal remedies to overturn the ruling of Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 152, which kept NCR Wage Order No. 27 from being enforced while the main case remains pending.

‘We will use all legal remedies to fight and have this decision nullified, and to defend the rights and welfare of our workers,’ Tolentino said in a statement on Friday.

He warned that the continued suspension of the wage increase would deprive more than one million workers in Metro Manila of additional income at a time when household expenses remain high.

‘This decision does not merely stop the wage increase-it takes food away from the tables of more than one million workers in Metro Manila and their families,’ Tolentino said in Filipino.

The preliminary injunction followed a temporary restraining order issued by the same court on July 30 after Readycon Trading and Construction Corp. and R-II Builders Inc. challenged the wage order.

In granting the injunction, the court found ‘serious and urgent questions’ over the wage-setting process that should first be resolved before the order could be implemented.

Among the issues raised was whether the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-National Capital Region (RTWPB-NCR) sufficiently considered the factors required under Article 124 of the Labor Code, including employers’ capacity to pay.

Court proceedings showed that the wage board did not obtain actual payroll computations, audited financial statements, collective bargaining agreements, operating margins or cash-flow data from employers before determining the adjustment.

Labor groups, however, pushed back against the ruling and joined DOLE in calling for the injunction to be lifted.

The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) said it would seek the dissolution of the preliminary injunction once the court acts on its motion to intervene in the case.

‘After a temporary restraining order and now a preliminary injunction, workers are once again being forced to shoulder the cost of a judicial intervention that Congress specifically sought to prevent,’ TUCP said.

The group warned that it was prepared to pursue available remedies ‘all the way to the Supreme Court’ if necessary, arguing that the ruling could encourage similar challenges against wage orders in other regions.

TUCP also renewed its call for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to certify as urgent a proposed P200 legislated wage increase, saying litigation against the regional wage-setting system has strengthened the case for a nationwide wage hike.

Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (Sentro), meanwhile, said the court should not stop workers from receiving an increase that had already been granted.

‘The court has no business stopping workers from receiving a wage increase,’ Sentro Secretary General Josua Mata said.

He also added that while the P60 first tranche was already inadequate to recover workers’ lost purchasing power, withholding it would still hurt families struggling with food, transportation and utility costs.

‘For corporations, a bond is an expense. For workers, withholding even P60 is another blow to their dignity,’ Mata said.

Business groups in Cebu are urging the Cebu Port Authority (CPA) to defer the proposed 25-percent increase in domestic cargo-handling tariffs, warning that a significant rise in logistics costs could further burden businesses and consumers amid slowing economic growth and elevated operating expenses.

The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) said it supports the modernization, efficiency, safety and financial sustainability of Cebu’s ports, but maintained that the proposed adjustment should not be implemented immediately without sufficient justification, a clear assessment of its impact and meaningful consultation with affected stakeholders.

‘A 25-percent increase is significant,’ CCCI said, noting that the proposed hike could raise logistics and distribution costs, with possible consequences for the cost of doing business and, ultimately, consumer prices.

The chamber recommended that implementation be deferred while the CPA conducts a comprehensive review and consultation process.

Should an adjustment eventually be deemed necessary, CCCI said it should be ‘reasonable, proportionate, transparent’ and preferably calibrated or phased to minimize its impact on businesses and consumers.

The Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), likewise, raised concerns over the timing of the proposed increase, as businesses contend with weaker market demand, higher operating costs, rising wages and fuel prices, as well as risks associated with the expected El Niño.

MCCI said domestic cargo handling is critical to an archipelagic economy such as the Philippines, facilitating the movement of goods between islands through inter-island and roll-on/roll-off shipping.

It warned that higher cargo-handling charges could ripple through the supply chain, affecting manufacturers, traders, distributors and retailers before eventually reaching consumers through higher prices.

The chamber also pointed to the Philippine economy’s weak 2.3-percent growth in the second quarter of 2026, saying the timing of a substantial tariff adjustment warrants closer scrutiny.

MCCI said the CPA and other stakeholders should determine whether the proposed increase is timely and necessary and assess its possible implications for business competitiveness, inflation and the overall cost of doing business in Cebu.

For its part, MCCI said it would first need to review the proposal in detail, including its justification, cost structure and projected effects on businesses and consumers, while continuing discussions with relevant stakeholders.

The CPA, in an advisory, said the proposed adjustment would apply to domestic cargo in all ports of Cebu. However, it clarified that it will not yet implement it.

‘The authority has made no final decision on the proposed increase since CPA will have to consolidate the position papers and feedback from port stakeholders to be evaluated thoroughly before it is presented to the CPA Board,’ CPA said in a separate statement released on Friday afternoon, Aug. 14, 2026.

Interested stakeholders were invited to submit position papers through the CPA’s Port Management Department the latest on Aug. 25, 2026.

‘CPA assures all port stakeholders that the proposed tariff increase will undergo an appropriate and thorough review and deliberation before any decision on its approval or implementation is made,’ CPA added.

The proposed tariff adjustment comes as businesses continue to grapple with logistics costs, making the consultation a key venue for stakeholders to weigh the need for higher port charges against the broader impact on Cebu’s business environment and consumers.

CCCI said it remains committed to working with the CPA toward a sustainable port system that maintains efficient operations while keeping the cost of moving goods competitive.