Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

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

As Xavier P. Loinaz or ‘XP’ joined his Creator, tributes continued to pour in for the banking luminary who had served as CEO of Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) for 22 years and another 16 years as board member.

During this long tenure as CEO, after all, he had mentored many other bankers who also became CEOs. The roster of mentees include Cezar Consing (BPI and Ayala Corp.), Aurelio Montinola III (BPI), Jose ‘TG’ Teodoro Limcaoco (BPI), Vicente Castillo (Banco Santander Philippines and Philippine Dealing System Holdings Corp), Emmanuel Herbosa (DBP), Manuel Salak (ING Philippines), Alberto Villarosa (Security Bank), Alberto Pascual (Philippine Guarantee Corp.), Alfonso Salcedo (BPI Family Bank and Security Bank) and Joey Bermudez (Chinatrust Philippines).

‘In 1989, Mr. Loinaz convinced me that BPI was the place to build a career in banking. In the two times I left BPI for what I thought were better career opportunities, Mr. Loinaz gave me the reasons why I was wrong,’ Limcaoco said.

‘In both, he was right. But he took me back. For that, and for his lessons on integrity and standing up for what is right, I will always be grateful,’ he said.

Bermudez, on the other hand, recalled that when he was about to leave BPI in 1984, Loinaz told him, ‘there is only one BPI.’

‘To me, the regrettable truth is that there was only one XPL, he of the giant intellect, sharp strategic mind, exceptional work ethic, and a compassionate heart that many people took a while to discover. Heaven has taken another rock star. The world has to try harder now,’ Bermudez said.

Former Finance Secretary and former SGV chair Cesar Purisima referred to Loinaz as a ‘titan of Philippine banking.’

‘As someone who now serves on the BPI board after him, and chairs the audit committee he once led for over a decade, I still hear his big footsteps through the stories of those who worked with him. The size of the shoes he left behind is a reminder of a legend whose integrity, discipline, and quiet strength will never be forgotten,’ Purisima said. – Doris Dumlao-Abadilla

No more Pogo scare

This time last year, we were all buzzing about President Marcos’ move to ban all Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos).

The same question was floating in every industry: What now? What will be the impact?

Well, now the answer is virtually nothing-at least for the property sector.

Real estate broker Leechiu Property Consultants (LPC) reported on Monday the sector was actually doing quite well, with demand in the residential market particularly high.

The office sector has also seen some stability in demand.

‘Now, we can say that the market has stabilized and the impact of Pogo exit is no longer weighing on the contractions,’ said Erika Manasan, LPC senior manager for commercial leasing.

But there’s something else brewing.

While everyone celebrated the Pogo exodus, LPC noted that Philippine inland gaming operators (Pigos) now took up space.

As of the third quarter, Pigos now occupied 37,000 square meters of office space, entailing potential sector growth.

What does this mean, then?

LPC associate director for commercial leasing Ed Gador said it was too early to tell whether the sector will flourish, especially if the government imposes any kind of restriction on Pigos.

With everyone’s attention now at flood control projects, all we have to do is wait. INQ

Jane Goodall, the world’s most famous primatologist, died last Oct. 1 and has been eulogized as one of the world’s greatest scientists, especially for changing the way we look at ourselves, at animals, and at the environment.

It seems that Netflix had to rush a series called ‘Last Words,’ consisting of interviews with famous people while they are still alive (obviously) and promising not to release the episodes until after they die. It seems, too, that they had to rush the production of an episode that would center on Goodall, which is the first one to have been released, just last Friday, two days after her death. The release was international, which meant this one about Goodall is also available now in the Philippines.

I strongly suggest ‘Last Words’ to all of you and your friends. It is not all technical stuff concentrating on primates (apes, monkeys, and humans); in fact, it’s actually very anthropological because Goodall talks about how her work has given her so many insights (and, for us, wisdom) about what it means to be human. It ends up quite philosophical and emotional.

The Netflix episode is actually a dialogue between Goodall and the producer Ben Falchuk, a take-off from a Danish TV series recording last words from the living, to be shown posthumously. Clever idea, literally allowing the dead to speak to us from beyond for an hour.

That’s something for Goodall, who died aged 91, a life well lived. She’s best known for her work with apes, especially chimpanzees, particularly in the Gombe forest in Tanzania. Chimpanzees are humans’ closest relatives, with us sharing 98.8 percent of our DNA with these cousins.

Goodall, who was British, grew up always interested in and loving animals and dreamed of going to Africa to work. She did find a job as a secretary to Richard Leakey, one of the early paleontologists who studied human evolution. She faced many odds pursuing her interests, including British colonial authorities refusing to give her permission to work in the Gombe because they felt it was too dangerous for women. Plus, she didn’t actually have a university degree yet for the work she intended to do. She finally got permission when her mother volunteered to go with her.

Goodall quickly became known for the way she observed apes, the Gombe, and humans; in other words, she set the example for pursuing science. She is best known for discovering, through a chimpanzee she had named David Greybeard, that it is not just humans who can make tools. Greybeard was fishing termites out of a river using a twig.

Goodall was to make many more discoveries about apes, including their social relationships, their forms of communication, and most importantly, their feelings and emotions.

In the Netflix documentary, Goodall talks about Flint, a male chimpanzee coming to terms with the death of his mother, Flo, including how he finally came to accept that she had died, which had him ‘fasting’ for a while.

Goodall’s use of human names for the apes was considered revolutionary; other scientists used numbers to identify the animals. By using human names, she rightly placed them closer to humanity and helped her in her advocacy not just to protect animals but also to give them due recognition as having intelligence, too.

In the Netflix interview, she also talked about humans whom she didn’t quite like, almost suggesting they had much to learn from apes. She said there were some people she would love to see put into a spaceship together with Elon Musk and sent off into space: Trump, China’s Xi, Russia’s Putin, and Israel’s Netanyahu. She believes aggression is innate in apes and humans, but that one could still ‘cure ignorance’ in humans.

Asked who she hoped to see in the next life, she mentioned her chimp friends and her childhood pet dog. Husbands (she had two)? ‘They wouldn’t matter so much,’ but she acknowledged that with husbands, it is a ‘different kind of love.’

The scientist in Goodall alternates with a ‘magic’ (her interviewer’s term) to be able to reach people’s hearts. I don’t want my column to be a spoiler-there is a story she shares about how a CEO in Singapore found his heart melted by an eight-year-old daughter, to be kinder to the planet. Look up the articles about Goodall and her work, and watch the Netflix feature to understand how, as the New Scientist magazine puts it, it took a woman to redefine man (in its most inclusive definition).

Anita Rose Gomez, the Philippines’ representative in this year’s Miss Asia Pacific International pageant, has gained an enviable reputation for having a 19-inch waistline. But the Zambaleña beauty said she has more to offer than just her body.

‘I can offer the heart that I have, the humility, the gratitude in my heart. I know that this will take me a long way. And I think it’s the result of the heart that I have, that I have this crown,’ she told Inquirer Entertainment.

Her killer body, matched with an explosive pasarela (pageant walk) has earned for her the ‘Best in Swimsuit’ award during the closed-door preliminary competition held at the Lapu-Lapu Ballroom of Bai Hotel Cebu on Monday morning, Oct. 6.

She also finished second in the gown segment of the event, a scaled-down program that was mounted in lieu of a grander production that was canceled because of the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that jolted the pageant’s Benefit Gala Night on Sept. 30.

The Miss Asia Pacific International pageant has realigned its activities after the tremor and had the ladies participate in relief missions aimed at helping those severely affected by the earthquake.

Jacqueline Tan-Sainz, the international pageant’s executive director, told Inquirer Entertainment that they decided to mount a preliminary competition at the last minute because the ladies had prepared for it, and were looking forward to one.

The 43 delegates took the stage in swimsuits and evening gowns, including Belgium’s Jana Janssens, who sustained an injury during the quake and had to use crutches for several days.

Gomez said she appreciates the body that she has been blessed with, a 19-inch waistline and all. ‘But at the same time, always be grateful for what we have as individuals. We’re all different, we’re all unique, we just need to embrace our own beauty,’ she said.

She also encouraged people to take care of their health, both physical and mental. She added, ‘Don’t look at what the standard of beauty is. Just embrace who you are. Just be confident. As long as you’re happy with the body that you’re given, that’s a win already.’

Gomez is competing for the Philippines’ sixth Miss Asia Pacific International victory. The coronation night of the 2025 pageant will be held at the Cebu Complex Coliseum on Oct. 8.

After a month of failed attempts to recover the original Facebook page of Mayor Rolando ‘Klarex’ Uy, the Office of the City Mayor has decided to launch a new one to continue reaching residents online.

‘The Office of the City Mayor has created a new official Facebook page for Mayor Rolando ‘Klarex’ Uy,’ the City Information Office (CIO) announced on its Facebook page.

The CIO said it failed to gain access to the original page of the mayor’s office despite numerous attempts.

The new verified page is titled ‘Office of the City Mayor – Cagayan de Oro City’ and will serve as the mayor’s official digital platform for updates and announcements.

Uy’s social media page has been its main platform for public outreach, especially in announcing schedules of its services and programs.

‘We encourage everyone to like and follow the new official page of Mayor Klarex Uy,’ the statement said. ‘Stay updated on the latest news, programs, and announcements from the City Mayor.’

Officials said the change aims to ensure transparency and continued public communication amid increasing reliance on social media for local government information.

The CIO has not issued an explanation why it failed to recover the original account, which has tens of thousands of followers. People who come to Uy’s regular ‘People’s Day’ schedule every week are dependent on his social media page for the announcements, including those for his weekly ‘Kasalan ng Bayan’ and barangay outreach.