Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

Local stocks rebounded Monday as investors bought beaten-down shares, ending a five-session losing streak.

The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) climbed 2.03 percent, or 114.18 points, to close at 5,743.21.

Philstocks Financial Inc. attributed the recovery to bargain hunting and positive signals from Wall Street’s closing performance last week.

The brokerage said a weaker-than-expected US jobs report tempered expectations of a hawkish Federal Reserve, helping lift sentiment in the local market.

The gains, however, came amid subdued trading as many investors remained on the sidelines.

Luis Limlingan, head of sales at Regina Capital Development Corp., said the PSEi ended higher as buying pressure emerged, particularly among index heavyweights, following five consecutive sessions of declines.

‘Investors took advantage of relatively cheaper valuations after the recent sell-off. Sentiment was also supported as investors likely positioned ahead of tomorrow’s inflation print release,’ Limlingan said.

Net value turnover reached P3.28 billion. Foreign investors ended the session as net buyers, with net inflows of P134.20 million.

Nearly all sectoral indices advanced, led by services, which surged 4 percent. Banks were the lone exception, slipping 0.07 percent.

International Container Terminal Services Inc. led the index gainers, jumping 5.23 percent to P905 per share.

DigiPlus Interactive Corp., meanwhile, was the biggest index decliner, falling 2 percent to P7.84 per share.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday defended its handling of a protest near Malacañang, saying its officers followed established protocols amid reports of a physical confrontation with teachers and students a day before World Teachers’ Day.

‘While reports have surfaced regarding the incident, we likewise recognize the presumption of regularity in the performance of official duties, pending the submission of official reports from the ground,’ PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement.

Nartatez said initial information showed that police officers were implementing security measures based on existing procedures.

‘Our personnel were performing their duties to maintain peace, public order, and security in accordance with established operational procedures,’ he said.

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers Philippines held the protest to demand a P50,000 entry-level salary for teachers, a P5,000 Personnel Economic Relief Allowance and government spending equivalent to 6% of gross domestic product on education.

Reports said a physical confrontation occurred between protesters and police deployed in the area.

Nartatez said the PNP recognized the protesters’ right to peacefully express their concerns but urged them to follow laws and lawful police instructions intended to ensure public safety.

‘Our officers’ presence was not intended to prevent them from being heard but to ensure that their activities remain peaceful, orderly, and safe for everyone,’ he said.

Plantation Bay Resort and Spa, the world-renowned 11-hectare luxury retreat in Mactan, Cebu, has officially unveiled an expanded wellness portfolio, solidifying its position as the undisputed Wellness Capital of the South.

Moving far beyond traditional spa treatments, Plantation Bay introduces advanced health technology alongside its serene, village-style architecture-setting a new benchmark for integrative wellness in the Philippines.

Next-Generation Health and Healing

At the center of Plantation Bay’s upgraded wellness offerings are two cutting-edge therapies designed to restore mind and body:

Duo Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber: Designed comfortably for two guests, this advanced Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) chamber delivers 100% pure oxygen at increased atmospheric pressure. It accelerates cellular repair, boosts immune function, reduces inflammation, and reverses fatigue-making it an ideal experience for couples, parent-child duos, or athletic partners recovering together.

Three Flotation Therapy Pods: Offering total sensory deprivation, these private float tanks allow guests to float effortlessly on warm, highly concentrated mineral water. Proven to quiet the nervous system, relieve joint pressure, and facilitate deep sleep, flotation therapy delivers a profound mental and physical reset in under an hour.

These additions complement Mogambo Springs, the resort’s acclaimed Japanese-inspired spa village, featuring thalassic pools, hot/cold spring baths, and specialized wellness programs tailored for stress relief, weight management, and healthy aging.

Wellness Without Sacrifice: Remarkable Dining

Unlike typical wellness retreats that enforce strict, restrictive diets, Plantation Bay proves that health and gastronomy can peacefully coexist. Guests can enjoy nutrient-packed, restorative food without sacrificing taste, satisfaction, or appetite.

With four distinct restaurants-ranging from oceanfront Asian seafood at Fiji to elegant steaks and fine dining at Palermo-the resort crafts fresh, wholesome, and delicious meals using high-quality local ingredients. Whether indulging in a balanced breakfast at Kilimanjaro Kafé or savoring a clean seafood dinner, wellness at Plantation Bay feeds both body and soul.

More Than a Retreat: Designed for Every Generation

While conventional wellness resorts cater primarily to solo travelers or quiet couples, Plantation Bay offers a comprehensive estate where families, elders, kids, and couples get far more out of their stay:

For Couples: Romantic strolls along private white-sand beaches, joint float or hyperbaric sessions, and intimate dining by the water offer unmatched seclusion and bonding.

For Elders and Seniors: Built with single-level, wheelchair-friendly grounds, the resort features gentle saltwater lagoon swimming, low-impact hydrotherapy, and complimentary basic health consultations, making it a safe, rejuvenating haven for grandparents.

For Kids and Families: While parents focus on self-care, children can safely explore 2.3 hectares of natural saltwater lagoons, try lagoon kayaking, scale the wall-climbing tower, or enjoy the dedicated Children’s Center and archeries.

Unrivaled Roominess and Space

Plantation Bay guarantees maximum comfort with expansive, plantation-style rooms featuring deep-soaking bathtubs and spacious, marble-finished bathrooms. Step straight from a ground-floor waterfront room directly into the salt lagoon, or spend low-key afternoons taking advantage of the resort’s massive footprint-boasting more space per guest than almost any other luxury resort in Mactan.

‘Guests no longer need to compromise between a strict wellness clinic and a fun family holiday,’ said Plantation Bay Management. ‘Why travel far or restrict your family to high-rise hotels when you can get so much more here? Plantation Bay offers true medical-grade relaxation, world-class sports, salt-lagoon swimming, and real food-all in one place.’

One of the Philippines’ largest telecommunications companies has called on the government to ensure that the local private sector has a role in the Pax Silica hub, a high-tech industrial enclave envisioned to generate billions of dollars in investments and exports.

Planned for New Clark City, the artificial intelligence (AI) hub is expected to attract $40 billion to $70 billion in infrastructure investments and generate $200 billion in annual exports, according to the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), the Philippine agency leading the project alongside its US counterparts.

It is expected to break ground as early as 2028, with full development eyed within 30 years.

Even as the master agreement for the hub remains under development, Globe Telecom Inc., part of the Ayala Group, said the local private sector should already be engaged to identify potential opportunities for the project.

‘We see Pax Silica as an important conversation for the country, and the private sector should be part of it,’ Globe president and CEO Carl Cruz said in a statement. ‘Philippine companies already bring different capabilities to the table, and there is value in looking at how these can complement the government’s efforts as the opportunities become clearer.’

Telcos themselves have a particularly strong interest in Pax Silica, Globe said.

According to the Board of Investments (BOI), the planned hub-now dubbed the Clark Advanced Manufacturing Park-would focus on producing components needed for advanced technologies, including semiconductors and other electronics parts.

Both the BCDA and BOI have ruled out data centers for the New Clark City site, which they said could not support the vast power and water requirements of such facilities.

Instead, the government is looking at Batangas as a hub for AI compute data centers and other digital infrastructure under a broader Philippine ‘technology corridor’ plan that also includes the New Clark City site.

Globe said telcos have a ‘natural role’ in supporting these hubs, as AI, cloud computing, advanced manufacturing and other technology-intensive industries depend on reliable and resilient digital infrastructure.

‘Our role is to make sure that, where connectivity is needed, we are ready to support,’ Cruz said. ‘This is a broader national effort, and each industry will have something different to contribute. What is important at this stage is that the private sector is engaged in the conversation and looking at where it can meaningfully help.’

Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, chair of the broader Ayala Corp., earlier expressed particular interest in the Pax Silica hub, which he described as ‘a rare opportunity where there is US emphasis on the Philippines.’

The cancellation of a planned class suspension in Pavia, Iloilo, and differing decisions among local governments in Iloilo have raised questions over whether mayors have the legal authority to suspend classes solely for National Teachers’ Day on Monday.

Pavia initially announced the suspension of classes and school-based work in public and private schools from preschool to senior high school, citing the need to recognize teachers and education workers. The municipal government later withdrew the order after reviewing its legal basis.

The government of Pavia said class suspensions must have specific legal grounds and be properly coordinated with the Department of Education (DepEd) and other education authorities.

The reversal came as several other Iloilo municipalities announced Teachers’ Day class suspensions, including Balasan, San Joaquin, Dumangas, San Enrique, Dueñas, Banate, Carles, Barotac Nuevo, Leon and Oton. New Lucena announced a suspension starting at 1 p.m.

In neighboring Guimaras, Jordan Mayor John Edward Gando declined to suspend classes, saying local chief executives have limited authority to cancel classes under existing laws.

Gando cited Republic Act No. 10743, or the National Teachers’ Day Act, and Republic Act No. 7160, or the Local Government Code, saying neither law expressly authorizes mayors to suspend classes for Teachers’ Day.

RA 10743, signed in 2016, declares Oct. 5 as National Teachers’ Day and a special working holiday. It directs government agencies, local government units, and private employers to encourage and provide sufficient time for employees to participate in Teachers’ Day activities.

The law does not expressly declare Oct. 5 a no-class day.

DepEd Western Visayas reiterated this in Regional Memorandum No. 1003, series of 2026, issued Oct. 4. The memorandum disseminated RA 10743 to schools across the region and noted that Oct. 5 is a special working holiday. It did not order a region-wide class suspension.

Existing DepEd rules allow localized class suspensions under specific circumstances, particularly disasters, emergencies, and hazardous conditions. Whether a commemorative event such as Teachers’ Day falls within a local chief executive’s authority to suspend classes remains the central legal question.

The differing decisions have resulted in students in some Iloilo municipalities being excused from classes while those in neighboring areas are required to attend.

The controversy also shows the distinction between a class suspension and a holiday. A local government’s suspension of classes does not make Oct. 5 a special non-working holiday, while its designation as a special working holiday under RA 10743 does not automatically suspend classes.

For Western Visayas schools, DepEd’s Oct. 4 memorandum confirms that National Teachers’ Day remains a special working holiday. The authority of individual LGUs to suspend classes specifically for the occasion, however, remains the subject of differing interpretations.

PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and its wireless subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc (Smart) have partnered with Capillary Technologies to transform and unify their loyalty ecosystem across mobile, broadband, and partner engagement platforms.

Through the partnership, Capillary will power a next-generation loyalty platform, bringing together PLDT Home, Smart, and Ka-Partner programs into a single ecosystem designed to deliver more personalized and rewarding experiences across millions of customers.

The initiative marks a significant step in PLDT and Smart’s customer engagement strategy as the group consolidates multiple loyalty environments into a more intelligent and scalable platform powered by artificial intelligence (AI), advanced personalization, and real-time engagement capabilities.

PLDT and Smart selected Capillary for its deep loyalty expertise, scalable enterprise architecture, and proven track record across high-growth markets.

‘Customer loyalty is key to the PLDT Group’s long-term growth,’ according to Menardo G. Jimenez, Jr., PLDT Chief Operating Officer. ‘As PLDT and Smart customer expectations evolve, we must strengthen our relationship with them, deepen engagement through our products and services, and deliver greater value throughout the customer journey. By investing in customer loyalty through our collaboration with Capillary, we are investing in stronger customer retention, sustainable growth, and the PLDT Group’s continued industry leadership.’

‘Our customers are at the heart of everything we do, and their loyalty deserves to be rewarded in ways that are meaningful and relevant. With Capillary’s platform, we can offer a more personalized rewards experience that gives our subscribers and partners access to exclusive perks, curated offers, exciting partner benefits, and rewarding experiences tailored to their preferences. It’s our way of saying thank you while making every interaction with PLDT Home more valuable, more engaging, and more rewarding,’ said John Y. Palanca, Head of PLDT Home.

‘This new loyalty platform allows us to recognize not only our subscribers, but also the Smart retailers and e-load partners who help us serve millions of Filipinos every day. By bringing Smart and PLDT onto one loyalty ecosystem, we are also creating the foundation for more seamless, converged rewards and experiences in the future,’ according to Lloyd R. Manaloto, officer-in-charge of Smart. Santosh Reddy, President – APAC at Capillary Technologies, said: ‘PLDT and Smart have consistently led the way in redefining digital experiences at scale, backed by a strong understanding of evolving customer expectations. As enterprises across global markets increasingly invest in loyalty as a strategic growth lever, Capillary is proud to bring its experience working with leading brands across APAC and beyond to support this transformation. Together, we look forward to building a more intelligent, engaging, and connected loyalty experience for millions of subscribers.’

The rollout will follow a phased implementation approach over the next year.

Reina Filipinas Angelica Lopez has enjoyed the support of four of her fellow delegates at the 2026 Miss Grand International happening in Thailand, saying they would want the Filipino bet to win the title if they will not be crowned.

During the closed-door interview held in Bangkok on Sunday, Oct. 4, the panel asked the delegates who they see winning Miss Grand International aside from them. This question has become customary for the pageant in the recent editions.

Lopez earned nods from Ecuador’s Shyare Andrade, Tanzania’s Jihan Dimack, Chile’s Ignacia Michelson, and Pakistan’s Zara Younus. The Filipino bet, meanwhile, chose host delegate Patthama Jitsawat from Thailand.

But leading the pack was Emoura Pham from Vietnam, who was mentioned by 14 delegates. Following her by a hairstrand was Dimack who earned the approval of 13 other candidates.

In far third with seven delegates picking her was Lopez’s choice Patthama, with Andrade not far behind earning the approval of six of her fellow candidates.

Matching Lopez’s four nods of approval was Guatemala’s Ximena Carillo, while Australia’s Cat Jane Shepherd was mentioned by three other delegates. Mexico’s Pety Juarez was chosen by two other candidates.

Also mentioned by two delegates were Xuebung Liu from Hong Kong, Patricia Seward from Canada, Victoria Oluwakotanmi from the United States, and Alyanni Gomez from Cuba.

The much-awaited National Costume Competition and the crucial Preliminary Competition will both be held at MGI Hall at Bravo BKK in Bangkok on Oct. 7. The ‘Grand Final’ is scheduled to take place in the same venue on Oct. 10.

A business group is calling for the immediate resumption of a plebiscite for the proposed joint venture between South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative (Socoteco II) and Ignite Power amid concerns about a worsening power crunch, especially with the looming strong El Niño.

The General Santos City Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GSCCCI) said it was ‘extremely important to have a ‘white knight” to help the power cooperative address the threat of tight electricity supply.

The state weather bureau earlier said a very strong El Niño could emerge between September and December of this year and persist until the first half of 2027.

Even without El Niño, the Visayas and Mindanao have been under numerous yellow and red alerts due to power supply woes.

‘The most expensive electricity is having no electricity at all. Last week, we sent a letter stating the Chamber’s official stance. We called for the plebiscite to proceed first and foremost,’ GSCCCI president Miguel Rene Dominguez said.

‘We know that things would be very difficult if it reached a point where service was no longer good, because the jobs themselves in Gensan and Sarangani-the factories, manufacturing, and so on-could be put into a major crisis,’ he said.

Dominguez reiterated the need for safeguards to protect Socoteco’s ownership.

In response, Primelectric president and CEO Roel Castro said the firm ‘has heard and is open to the calls of the Gensan Chamber calling for the inclusion of an anti-dilution provision in the corporate structure of the proposed joint venture.’

Ignite Power is a joint venture between MP Holdings Inc., owned by boxing legend and former Senator Manny Pacquiao, and Razon-led Prime Electric Holdings Inc.

Senator-judge Raffy Tulfo urges the impeachment court to issue warning to court spokesperson lawyer Reginald Tongol, accusing him of repeatedly making statements that could be seen as prejudging the case.

‘Maraming beses na siyang sumablay, pumalpak, paulit-ulit na lang,’ Tulfo said during Day 33 of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial.

The number of focus crimes recorded by the Philippine National Police fell by 36.05% in September from the same month last year, police said Monday.

The PNP recorded 2,063 cases in September, down from 3,226 in September 2025.

‘We welcome this improvement, but we are not letting our guard down,’ PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said at a press briefing.

Focus crimes include carnapping, homicide, murder, physical injuries, rape, robbery and theft.

‘The decline in crime must be matched by sustained action against those who continue to threaten public safety,’ Nartatez said.

In Central Luzon and Calabarzon, police operations in September resulted in the arrest of 28 people, including two alleged leaders of robbery groups. Police also recovered 20 firearms, 52 rounds of ammunition and seven hand grenades.

The Anti-Kidnapping Group rescued five victims and identified 15 alleged perpetrators during the month, nine of whom were arrested.

Police also conducted 5,045 anti-drug operations, arresting 5,812 suspects and confiscating more than 96 kilograms of shabu and other illegal drugs worth an estimated P710.66 million based on standard drug prices.

Authorities arrested 979 people for loose-firearm violations and accounted for 6,381 firearms.

The PNP also conducted 3,140 anti-smuggling operations, resulting in 564 arrests and the seizure of smuggled goods and other items valued at about P1.36 billion.

As of Sept. 30, police had rescued 49 minors involved in cyberthreats and continued coordinating with the Department of Education on concerns involving schools.