Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

Gretchen Ho said a foreign exchange counter personnel at Oslo Gardermoen Airport in Norway allegedly refused to exchange her family member’s money, and cited ‘corruption and money laundering in the Philippines’ as a reason.

The broadcast journalist narrated the experience of a family member she opted not to name through her X page on Monday, Oct. 6.

‘One of our family members traveling abroad got denied at the foreign exchange counter in Oslo, Norway. The lady at the counter goes – ‘You came from the Philippines? We cannot exchange your dollars because of the corruption and money laundering in the Philippines’,’ she wrote.

Ho added that her family member-who was just trying to exchange $300-along with a group of friends were even told to exchange their money ‘elsewhere but not at the airport.’

‘Terrible. What are we going to do about this, Pilipinas?’ Ho wrote.

She also included a photo of the foreign exchange counter in her post.

One our family members traveling abroad got denied at the foreign exchange counter in Oslo, Norway. Lady at the counter goes – ‘You came from the Philippines? We cannot exchange your dollars because of the corruption and money laundering in the Philippines.’ This family member.

Ho’s post then reached netizens who claimed to have had the same experience as well, sharing it via the journalist’s thread.

‘Turns out the experience isn’t isolated to our family member,’ Ho further lamented.

This is the foreign exchange counter, upon exit from the baggage claim area. Happened at Oslo Gardermoen Airport. pic.twitter.com/1tPuTd5C0l

Ho said she will be sending a report regarding the matter to the Philippine Ambassador to Norway. /edv

Emirates, the world’s largest international and most profitable airline, is scouting for top-tier aircraft engineering and technical talent from around the world and the search has brought it to the Philippines.

Emirates is hosting information sessions in Manila on Oct. 14 and 15 in a bid to recruit aircraft technicians who will be based in the airline’s hub in Dubai.

The roadshows come on the back of the Emirates Group’s global recruitment drive to onboard 17,300 professionals across 350 roles this financial year, the group said in a statement.

This strategic move underscores Emirates’ commitment to expanding its technical operations and elevating maintenance standards across its international fleet.

The recruitment initiative taps into the Philippines’ strong and growing aviation talent pool.

Both experienced and aspiring aircraft technicians are welcome to attend the roadshow, where Emirates recruiters will share information about the roles, salary, benefits, and life in Dubai. Emirates Philippines Country Manager, Saeed Abdulla Miran, said: ‘Our engineers enjoy a rewarding career in Dubai, working on the world’s largest fleet of widebody aircraft as part of a dynamic, multicultural team of talented professionals. We’ve invested of US$950 million to build a new ultra-modern engineering facility at Dubai World Central.’

‘Those who come onboard Emirates will have the opportunity to work, learn, and push the boundaries of engineering and innovation at this new facility, which will be one of the largest and most advanced in commercial aviation. It will also be equipped to handle the full gamut of specialist aircraft engineering services. We are building a future-ready workforce capable of supporting our global operations with precision and excellence,’ Miran added.

Emirates Engineering

Emirates Engineering is among the world’s most technologically advanced aircraft maintenance facilities.

It supports the airline’s fleet of Airbus and Boeing aircraft, which are the world’s largest. and the fleet of 30 other airlines through third-party maintenance contracts.

An Emirates engineering aircraft technician carries out maintenance on the airline’s and third-party aircraft under the guidance of licensed aircraft engineers. An approved apprenticeship in commercial aircraft maintenance or any equivalent, and at least five years of experience are required for the role

In an unusual feat, Ginebra guard RJ Abarrientos won a Rookie of the Year award for the second time in his professional career.

Abarrientos was named PBA’s top rookie in Sunday’s PBA Leo Awards, two years after winning his first in the Korean Basketball League (KBL) for the Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus, where he made his pro debut.

So it wasn’t surprising that the Far Eastern University product saw his newest trophy as just a ‘bonus’ in his quest to win a PBA championship with the Gin Kings.

‘It’s just a bonus for me to be getting these individual awards,’ Abarrientos told reporters after their 80-73 loss at the hands of Magnolia at Araneta Coliseum on Sunday night.

‘Everyone’s dreaming of getting one, but for me, I’m looking at the bigger picture and I want to win a championship.’

Prior to Ginebra’s season-opening loss to the Hotshots and their newly-minted coach LA Tenorio, Abarrientos was officially awarded the Rookie of the Year plum.

Aside from averaging 12.7 points, 3.6 assists and 2.8 rebounds in his first year in the PBA, Abarrientos also helped Ginebra reach two out of the three Finals series in Season 49.

The 26-year-old Abarrientos dropped 11 points and four assists in the latest chapter of Manila Clasico.

Abarrientos said he expects to have a bigger target on his back in his sophomore season.

‘It (award) gives me motivation because it’s my second since winning in Korea but it’s also pressure because now, players and coaches will be expecting more from me.’

US interest rates are in a good place for the Federal Reserve’s inflation fight, a senior central bank official said Monday, pushing back against President Donald Trump’s calls for cuts.

‘Overall, given the state of the economy and financial markets, I view the current stance of policy as only slightly restrictive, which I think is the right place to be,’ Kansas City Fed President Jeff Schmid told a conference in the city, according to prepared remarks.

Schmid, who is a voting member of the Fed’s powerful rate-setting committee this year, said he had voted for a rate cut last month as an ‘appropriate risk-management strategy,’ given the ongoing signs of a cooling labor market.

The Fed has a dual mandate from Congress to act independently to tackle both inflation and unemployment, mainly by hiking, cutting or holding its benchmark lending rate.

Pressure from Trump

Schmid’s remarks stand in stark contrast to those of Trump, who has regularly lambasted Fed Chair Jerome Powell – and the rate committee on which Schmid sits – for not cutting rates quickly enough.

In recent months, Fed officials have noted that while inflation remains stuck stubbornly above the bank’s long-term two percent target, the cooling labor market has required them to refocus their attention, and contemplate additional rate cuts.

But speaking on Monday, Schmid said that while the Fed must navigate the trade-off between inflation and unemployment, targeting inflation should come first.

‘My view is that the Fed must maintain its credibility on inflation,’ he said.

Futures traders currently see a roughly 95 percent chance that the Fed will cut interest rates by a quarter percentage-point at its next rate decision later this month, according to data from CME Group.

That would lower the bank’s key lending rate to between 3.75 and 4 percent.

Choco Mucho spoiled Bella Belen’s much-awaited PVL debut after sweeping Choco Mucho, 33-31, 26-24, 25-23, to kick off its Reinforced Conference campaign on a high note on Tuesday night at Ynares Center Montalban.

The Flying Titans flaunted their depth, as a revitalized Kat Tolentino, who missed the All-Filipino action and preseason due to appendicitis, gave them a big lift with 15 points off 12 kills, two blocks, and an ace. The veteran opposite spiker also had 11 digs.

Just like in the first game, Choco Mucho and Capital1 played without their imports after the Philippine Volleyball Federation (PNVF) failed to release the International Transfer Certificates (ITCs) in time for the opener.

‘It was a great win because, like I always say, when our team is complete, we can do a lot. We have a lot of players we can rely on. In this game, we really saw how everyone helped each other. That’s what got us the win,’ said Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsunurin.

‘Even though we struggled with our receiving at first, we still managed to execute what we wanted to do on the court. Everything just started to connect. Whoever came in really stepped up and performed.’

The Flying Titans squandered a 15-10 lead in the third, as the Solar Spikers took a 22-21 advantage.

Choco Mucho, however, regrouped behind Maddie Madayag, who was fresh from a Japan SV.League and Alas Pilipinas stints. Madayag drilled back-to-back blocks to highlight the Flying Titans’ closing 4-1 spurt.

Isa Molde added 14 points, Lorraine Pecana had eight points, Des Cheng had seven points and 11 excellent receptions, while Deanna Wong had 22 excellent sets as the Flying Titans’ collective effort overcame Belen’s strong opening showing.

Belen, a three-time UAAP champion and MVP out of National University, showed why she’s the top overall pick with a game-high 20 points, 19 coming off kills on top of 18 digs and 12 receptions.

Her Alas teammate Leila Cruz backstopped her with 18 points.

The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) is pursuing the offshore assets – including foreign bank accounts, real estate, and personal properties- of individuals accused of corruption in flood control projects, expanding a crackdown that has so far frozen about P4.2 billion in suspected ill-gotten wealth.

Matthew David, the council’s executive director, told DZBB radio on Monday that the AMLC was working with its foreign counterparts to trace any financial transactions or property holdings abroad linked to the accused.

He added that the watchdog may ask authorities in other jurisdictions to initiate civil forfeiture proceedings, allowing any recovered assets to be repatriated to the Philippine government.

‘All assets related to corruption are covered by our financial investigation. And that includes the foreign assets of the respondents that they acquired offshore,’ David said.

Bank accounts

On Oct. 3, the Court of Appeals granted the AMLC’s request to freeze 57 bank accounts, 10 real properties, and nine vehicles of individuals linked to corruption in government-funded flood protection projects.

The move brought the total assets frozen in the investigation to 1,889 – covering 1,620 bank accounts, 54 insurance policies, 163 vehicles, 40 properties, and 12 e-wallets. The AMLC said the crackdown also netted virtual currencies and unit investment trust funds, underscoring the breadth of financial holdings tied to the alleged scheme.

The value of frozen assets, according to the AMLC, is expected to rise as the inquiry deepens.

Illicit activity

When a bank account is frozen, all activity-transfers, deposits, withdrawals, and even account closures – will be suspended. Banks are then required to comb through the accounts and review past transactions to determine whether they were used for illicit activity. Their findings are sent to the AMLC.

The freeze orders also covered insurance policies because these can serve as vehicles for concealing or moving illegal funds. For now, the AMLC is prioritizing such assets because these are easier to identify, locate, and freeze.

David earlier said the council might also scrutinize banks after a congressional inquiry flagged large cash transactions linked to the flood control scandal.

‘[Bank] supervisors are covered persons. We can initiate examination or compliance checking against the banks, including their employees,’ David told the same radio interview yesterday.

‘We can initiate enforcement action or file administrative cases against the banks or against the employee. We can also file a criminal case of money laundering,’ he added.

A critically injured Filipino seafarer died following the September 29 attack by Houthi rebels on MV Minervagracht in the Gulf of Aden, according to Department on Migrant Workers (DMW) chief Hans Cacdac.

Cacdac confirmed the development in a tweet on Tuesday, extending sympathies to the family of the deceased.

‘We convey the sad news of the passing of the Filseafarer critically injured during the Sept 29 attack on the MV Minervagracht in the Gulf of Aden,’ said Cacdac.

‘Our deepest sympathies to his family. Per the president’s directive, we are providing them with full support and assistance,’ he added.

The DMW earlier reported that two of the 12 Filipino seafarers aboard the vessel were injured from the attack, one with minor injuries and another with ‘serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

The Gulf of Aden is deemed as a high-risk area, which is located along the Indian Ocean, bordering Yemen and Somalia. The gulf is also considered a vital route for maritime trade. /gsg

PJ Lhuillier Inc. (PJLI), the parent company of Cebuana Lhuillier, the country’s leading microfinance services provider, has been recognized with two prestigious distinctions at the Inspire to Excel: Investors in People Philippines Awards 2025, affirming its strong commitment to building a people-first workplace. The company was named Winner for Diversity and Inclusion and Runner-up for Wellbeing, showcasing its dedication to creating an empowering and supportive environment for its 12,000 employees nationwide.

The Investors in People Awards celebrate organizations that excel in valuing and developing their workforce. For PJLI, these recognitions highlight the success of its inclusive culture and holistic employee programs, underscoring that a thriving company begins with thriving people.

PJLI’s wellbeing strategy takes a comprehensive approach, focusing on five key dimensions: Physical, Spiritual, Financial, Mental, and Social. The company likens its role to that of a ‘tender gardener,’ nurturing employees to flourish both personally and professionally. What set PJLI apart was its shift from conversation to action-translating initiatives into measurable outcomes such as improved efficiency under pressure, stronger employee engagement, and higher satisfaction levels.

Its win in Diversity and Inclusion (DandI) reflects a holistic, evolving strategy championed by President and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier, who has consistently led with a vision that celebrates individuality. ‘As a company deeply rooted in service, we recognize that our greatest strength lies in our people,’ said Jean Henri Lhuillier, President and CEO of PJ Lhuillier Inc. and Cebuana Lhuillier. ‘These awards reaffirm our belief that by fostering an inclusive, supportive, and empowering culture, we not only build stronger teams but also create a lasting positive impact on the communities we serve.’

The company highlighted inspiring employee stories and initiatives like the Tatak Cebuana Influencers campaign while advancing progressive policy reforms. Notably, PJLI’s Policy on Nepotism and HMO Dependents program extends to diverse family structures. One senior manager movingly shared that the health coverage policy made him feel ‘seen, valued, and respected’-a testament to how policies can create a genuine sense of belonging.

Beyond the workplace, PJLI promotes DandI into the communities it serves through initiatives under its Kanegosyo Centers and Alternative Learning System (ALS) Programs, directly empowering marginalized Filipinos.

Jo-Ann Tacorda, First Vice President and Group Head for Corporate Services, added: ‘Our commitment to diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing goes beyond compliance or recognition. It’s about making sure every Cebuana Lhuillier employee feels valued and supported. These honors from Investors in People Philippines validate the work we’ve done, but more importantly, they inspire us to keep pushing forward in building a workplace where everyone can truly thrive.’

As Maria Veronica ‘Baby’ Valientes, Human Resource Development Division Head, shared in her acceptance speech: ‘Winning doesn’t just mean we join the parades and post it online. It means embedding our DandI commitment in our policies, hiring practices, the way we address people, and how we live every day recognizing people’s diverse backgrounds.’

These recognitions affirm PJLI’s philosophy that the ultimate measure of success lies in the wellbeing and empowerment of its people. By embedding inclusivity into policies, embracing holistic employee care, and nurturing purpose-driven initiatives, PJLI continues to build not just a successful company, but a legacy of resilience, empowerment, and true, lasting value.

Maynilad Water Services Inc. inched closer toward its P45.8-billion initial public offering (IPO) this month after obtaining the approval of the Philippine Stock Exchange.

The operator of the local bourse said in an advisory on Monday that Maynilad would offer up to 2.3 billion shares for as much as P20 each.

The final offer price will be set on Oct. 20, while the offer period will be from Oct. 23 to Oct. 29.

The concessionaire will list under the ticker ‘MYNLD’ on Nov. 7, more than a year ahead of its January 2027 deadline with the government.

Multilateral institutions

Earlier, Maynilad president and CEO Ramoncito Fernandez said they would cut their maximum offer price to P15 per share in consideration of their cornerstone investment agreement with International Finance Corp. (IFC) and Asian Development Bank (ADB).

These multilateral institutions were considering investing $245 million into the company’s IPO, but only if the offer price did not exceed P15.

Apart from IFC and ADB, the United Kingdom government is also pledging its support for Maynilad’s IPO.

UK investment

In its Oct. 3 preliminary prospectus, Maynilad said it now had a cornerstone investment agreement with the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, through its Mobilizing Capital Through Listed Products program.

This is the same agency that pitched in $12.5 million into the IPO of Edgar Saavedra-led Citicore Renewable Energy Corp. last year, allowing the company to raise P5.3 billion from its stock market debut.

Since then, the UK government has committed to boosting trade and investment flows to the Philippines, particularly looking at sustainability-related projects.

For its part, Maynilad recently received the Philippines’ first Green Equity label, which would allow it to attract more investors by tagging its shares as ‘green’ prior to its offer.

At the same time, asset management firm Robeco Switzerland Ltd. is also participating as a cornerstone investor for an investment size of up to $20 million.

Others are Maybank Asset Management Singapore Pte. Ltd., Maven Investment Partners Ltd.-Hong Kong Branch, Abrdn Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. and QRT Master Fund SPC-Torus Fund SP.

Domestic cornerstone investors include BDO Capital, BPI Asset Management and Trust Corp., Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co. and Security Banking Corp.-Trust and Asset Management Group. INQ

How much has the New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC), a unit of San Miguel Corp., accomplished for the Ninoy Aquino International Airport so far?

SMC president and CEO Ramon S. Ang said the NNIC has surpassed all expectations since the company took over NAIA for the purpose of modernization and facilities upgrade a little more than a year ago.

‘It is a demanding task to operate an airport the size and scale of NAIA,’ Ang observed. ‘Thanks to the dedication of our people on the front lines and behind the scenes, the airport is now running more flights and serving more passengers, all in safety and on time,’ he said.

Since the Sept. 14, 2024, takeover, NNIC has upgraded the capability of the airport.

The international gateway handled 283,771 flights that brought in 51.7 million passengers, 2.9 million more than the numbers recorded in the same period the previous year, all under the private operator’s management.

Remittance to gov’t

Over that one-year period, NNIC has remitted more than P52 billion to the government, including the P30-billion payment made upfront. It is also turning over 82 percent of the airport’s revenues to the government.

That means the government will get what it usually earns from NAIA – or even more as the operation expands and becomes more efficient – with no need to appropriate public funds to pay for the cost of the upgrade.

Of the P72 billion that NNIC commits for the modernization project, P3.5 billion has been spent for the purpose so far. But even then, Ang said NNIC has already rolled out a new facial recognition system powered by Collins Aerospace, allowing travelers to check in, drop bags, clear security and board flights using just their face.

The aircraft parking stands have been reconfigured, the taxiway improved and abandoned aircraft removed to free up valuable space for smoother operations. The immediate result: the airport has been able to add new domestic and international routes with 47 airline partners.

More facilities

Inside the terminals, passengers are seeing 11,820 new chairs, 2,500 baggage trolleys, 21 new air-conditioning units and chillers, and Wi-Fi upgraded from 1G to 10G. All escalators, walkalators and elevators are now working like clockwork.

For the convenience of passengers, NNIC is renovating six restrooms, while 10 new ones are set for construction.

The San Miguel conglomerate has ordered 34 new boarding bridges. They will be installed as soon as they arrive.

The transportation system between terminals has improved with a fleet of 20 new shuttle buses, capable of serving half a million travelers. Behind the scenes, baggage handling was streamlined to process 51.3 million bags, keeping pace with the passenger surge without the long queues NAIA has been known for once.

OFW lounge

Ang takes inordinate pride in the OFW Lounge, which he ordered constructed at Terminal 3, immediately after the NNIC takeover. The well-appointed room provides departing and arriving overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) with food, Wi-Fi connection, shower rooms, or just a place to hang out and relax, all for free.

The OFW Lounge has so far served nearly half a million Filipino overseas workers. A second lounge is under construction at Terminal 1.

By December, 60 new immigration eGates will become operational, making departures and arrivals faster.

While hard at work within, NNIC is clearing 266,463 tons of waste and silt from surrounding waterways to protect the airport from floods.

For sustainability of the ecosystem, NNIC is introducing a Tenant Environmental Handbook, which requires ban on single-use plastics ban, water conservation, composting and energy efficiency.

Moreover, the San Miguel subsidiary has begun embracing global standards, pursuing ISO certifications in quality, environment and safety, the company statement said