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Fresh from its Globee Golden Bridge triumph for innovation, Cebuana Lhuillier continues its global winning streak, earning four major honors at the prestigious Globee Awards for Leadership. The recognition underscores the company’s strong, forward-thinking approach across its diverse businesses.

At this year’s awards, President and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier was named Maverick of the Year, while First Vice President and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Emirosco Michael Sena received Silver for Marketing Executive of the Year. PJ Lhuillier, Inc. (Cebuana Lhuillier) was also named Company of the Year – Diversified Services and won Gold for Excellence in Content Marketing for Money Guro, a social-first campaign hosted by Lhuillier himself that reflects his vision of accessible and practical financial education for all.

Speaking about the recognition, Lhuillier shared: ‘These awards are a testament to the strength and passion of our people. Leadership is not just about guiding a company-it’s about creating meaningful impact for the communities we serve. I’m proud of how our teams continue to push boundaries, innovate, and stay true to our mission of financial inclusion and nation-building.’

These accolades affirm Cebuana Lhuillier’s excellence in driving growth, fostering innovation, and leading with purpose. Lhuillier’s recognition as Maverick of the Year reinforces his pivotal role in transforming Cebuana Lhuillier into a diversified conglomerate championing financial inclusion and digital transformation in the Philippines. At the same time, Money Guro’s win highlights the company’s commitment to empowering Filipinos through engaging, practical financial education, while Sena’s award celebrates his leadership in creating marketing initiatives that deeply resonate with millions of Filipinos.

With these latest distinctions, Cebuana Lhuillier once again proves that its success is driven by visionary leadership, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to empower Filipinos.

THE Philippines is expected to clinch regional agreements aimed at strengthening energy cooperation across Southeast Asia during he Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Ministers on Energy Meeting (Amem) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The meeting started on October 14 and will end on Oct. 17.

‘We’re fully committed to work closely with our Asean neighbors to tackle energy challenges and unlock new opportunities,’ said Energy Secretary Sharon Garin. ‘This meeting is a key moment for all of us to move toward a sustainable and secure energy future.’

The Philippines will spotlight its progress in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and expanding energy access to more communities. The DOE will also share best practices and explore joint projects on smart grids, cross-border power sharing, and modern infrastructure, all essential to building a more innovative and resilient ASEAN energy network.

Energy Undersecretary Felix William B. Fuentebella will represent the Philippines in senior-level talks to finalize key regional agreements, including a new Asean Power Grid Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), an updated Asean Petroleum Security Agreement, the long-term Renewable Energy (RE) Roadmap, a regional Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) Framework, discussions on nuclear energy cooperation, and tools to boost energy investments and track efficiency progress.

Beyond the main sessions, Garin and other senior officials will engage in bilateral meetings with Asean counterparts to prepare for the country’s upcoming Chairmanship of the Asean Energy Meetings in 2026. The DOE is looking to host approximately 39 meetings and fora next year. The DOE has formed working committees to implement preparations and activities to ensure the country’s successful hosting of the ASEAN energy-related meetings.

Meanwhile, the DOE said the drafting of action plans for the proposed National Policy and Strategy on Nuclear Security has commenced.

DOE Director Patrick T. Aquino said stressed that the policies are strategic instruments that embody the nation’s resolve to uphold the highest standards of safety, security, and sustainability in the peaceful uses of nuclear technology.

EFFORTS to stop child marriage in the Bangsamoro region should move beyond information campaigns and awareness drives, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said, urging the use of culturally grounded approaches that resonate with local values and beliefs.

In an October 2025 report, Unicef said that while Republic Act 11596, or the Anti-Child Marriage Law, has made such unions illegal across the Philippines, a lot of people, particularly in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, still see the law as contradictory with people’s beliefs, particularly in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

‘Many view the law as conflicting with tradition or religion, not just as unfamiliar,’ Unicef said in its report Understanding Factors Driving Child, Early, and Forced Marriage and Unions (CEFMU). ‘Efforts should frame the law as protective and values-aligned.’

The group said that simply ‘telling people’ about the law has a limited effect unless communities see how it aligns with their moral and faith-based principles.

For many families, it noted, early marriage is still seen as a way to avoid haram, or acts forbidden in Islam, such as premarital relationships, as well as a way out of poverty.

Citing data from the Bangsamoro Women Commission, Unicef said around 88,600 girls in the region were married before turning 18. Nationally, one in six girls marries before legal age, placing the Philippines 12th in the world in the number of child marriages.

A separate survey by Plan International and the Women’s Refugee Commission found that for every 100 girls in the Bangsamoro region, 15 marry before 18 and two before 15, which are figures that remain far higher than the national average.

Unicef said that despite the law, enforcement remains weak and no cases have yet been officially prosecuted. This lack of visible consequence, it added, fuels the public perception that early marriage is still acceptable.

To shift mindsets, Unicef recommended that messages about the law be co-created with communities, religious councils and local leaders, to make child protection as consistent with Islamic and cultural teachings.

It also urged authorities to share stories of families who delayed marriage and benefited from doing so.

Unicef further called for stronger coordination among local government units, barangays, faith-based organizations and social workers to clarify the law’s intent and improve reporting systems.

‘Social workers, in particular, play a vital role in case management, referrals, and survivor support,’ the agency said. ‘Engaging youth advocates and community leaders in local monitoring and norm-shifting efforts will be key to sustained enforcement.’

As next steps, Unicef recommended co-developing a social and behavior change strategy for the Bangsamoro region.

This will include an implementation guide and monitoring plan to track community response, along with future studies that include Indigenous Peoples, children with disabilities and LGBTQ+ youth.

The social action arm of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has condemned the killing of a government whistleblower in Cagayan de Oro, calling it a ‘moral crisis’ that lays bare how corruption and impunity continue to undermine public trust in institutions meant to serve the people.

In a statement on Wednesday, Caritas Philippines said the death of former National Irrigation Administration (NIA) legal researcher Niruh Kyle Antatico-who had reportedly received death threats before his murder-shows the worsening danger faced by Filipinos who expose wrongdoing in government.

‘When truth-tellers are silenced and no one is held responsible, a culture of impunity thrives. It sends a chilling message that to speak truth to power is dangerous, and that those in authority can act without consequence,’ said Caritas Philippines President and Kidapawan Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo. ‘This is not only a tragedy-it is a moral crisis that demands action.’

Bagaforo said Antatico’s killing should not be seen as an isolated crime but as part of a broader failure to protect those who stand up against corruption.

The bishop also urged the NIA, the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to ensure that justice is served not just by arresting the perpetrators but also by holding accountable those implicated in the irregularities Antatico had exposed.

‘The farmers of our nation deserve irrigation systems that give life, not corruption that drains it away,’ he said.

Quoting the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church and Rerum Novarum, Bagaforo said corruption ‘distorts the role of public institutions’ and betrays the trust between citizens and the state.

He also cited Pope Francis ‘Laudato Si,’ which denounces corruption as a grave moral evil that hinders peace and development.

‘When greed robs people of their share in God’s creation, the Church must speak and act with courage,’ Bagaforo said.

The bishop called on government officials to use the tragedy as a moment of ‘moral conversion,’ urging them to cleanse institutions of corruption and protect those who expose wrongdoing.

‘When whistleblowers are silenced, corruption wins. When truth is punished, democracy bleeds. But when justice is done, life and hope are renewed,’ he said.

Homegrown ice cream brand Carmen’s Best said it is adding cheese products to its offerings as it grows its dairy footprint nationwide, particularly to Cebu and Davao, among others.

‘Soon, Carmen’s Best will also be introducing its line of cheese products, starting with a classic Filipino favorite-Kesong Puti,’ Carmen’s Best said in a statement on Wednesday.

As it has farms in Luzon and Mindanao, including a recently acquired facility in Maramag, Bukidnon, the brand claims to have one of the biggest dairy herds in the Philippines.

The brand said it also has two dairy facilities and an ice cream plant in Laguna, plus a newly added facility in Mindanao.

‘Carmen’s Best is poised to make its dairy products more accessible across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.’

‘From the very beginning, the goal of Carmen’s Best has been simple: give Filipinos access to dairy products that are made fresh, with no substitutes, and with no shortcuts taken,’ Jovy Hernandez, president and CEO of Metro Pacific Agro Ventures Inc. (MPAV) and Carmen’s Best said.

‘Now that we’ve expanded to Visayas and Mindanao, we’re excited to offer more customers not just our ice cream but also our new milk and cheese products, all proudly made with 100 percent fresh cow’s milk.’

Earlier, the homegrown ice cream brand said it also participated in the 2025 Food Summit where Hernandez met with leaders of the agriculture sector and the Cebu Chamber of Commerce.

‘The engagement underscored the brand’s commitment to working hand-in-hand with local partners in strengthening the dairy industry in Visayas and Mindanao.’

Carmen’s Best said it started expanding nationwide last March through key retail partnerships with SM Hypermarket, Robinson’s Supermarket, Metro Paisano, Puregold, and The Marketplace, making its products easier to find.

Soon, the ice cream brand said it will also be present in restaurants, hotels, resorts, events, and festivals. In Cebu, scooping stations are also in the pipeline.

‘Dairy lovers in Cebu, Davao, Bukidnon, and CDO [Cagayan de Oro] can look forward to getting a chance to try out and enjoy Carmen’s Best portfolio of fresh, dairy products.’

The lineup currently spans three main categories, all crafted with fresh, locally sourced milk and made under the highest quality standards, the brand noted.

Carmen’s Best said it started as a homegrown ice cream brand in 2011, with its premium, handcrafted flavors made from the freshest milk from its farm in Laguna.

With the investment and support from the Metro Pacific group, it said it has grown into a dairy brand, expanding into milk, cheese, and other dairy products in the near future that ‘uphold the same standards of purity, quality, and taste.’

Beyond creating ‘premium’ local dairy products, the homegrown brand said it is committed to ‘strengthening the local dairy industry by championing farm-to-table freshness, investing in sustainable farming practices, and supporting Filipino farmers.

THE Commission on Elections is seeking an additional P1.3 billion to fund the Bangsamoro parliamentary elections next year, after over a billion pesos in preparatory expenses went to waste when the Supreme Court’s halted this year’s polls.

Comelec Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia said on Tuesday that the poll body will write to Senate Committee on Finance Chairman Sherwin Gatchalian to request the increase as senators begin deliberations on Comelec’s 2026 budget.

‘We will try to convince Congress about what we still need now that the elections have been reset.Every postponement-whatever type of election-comes with a cost. When you reset one, some expenses are wasted, so you’ll have to ask for a new allocation. We estimate we’ll need about P1.3 billion more,’ Garcia told reporters in Pasay City.

Garcia explained that about P1.2 billion worth of election-related spending was rendered useless when the Supreme Court declared unconstitutional the two laws that served as the legal basis for the polls.

To recall, the High Court voided Bangsamoro Autonomy Act (BAA) No. 77, or the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Redistricting Act of 2025, and BAA No. 58, or the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Districts Act of 2024, saying both violated the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).

With no valid enabling law, the Comelec had no legal basis to push through with the parliamentary elections this year.

‘Remember, we had already deployed equipment and based our preparations on BAA 58, which the Supreme Court later struck down,’ Garcia said.

‘We had deployed election paraphernalia, machines, ballot boxes, and transmission devices. We also entered into lease contracts for all those materials and we’re still obligated to pay for them even if the elections didn’t proceed.’

Asked whether the polls would push through before March 31, 2026, Garcia said the Comelec would ‘comply with the directive of the Supreme Court,’ but emphasized that the timeline will depend on the actions of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA).

‘Our compliance is anchored on the actions of the Bangsamoro Parliament, with all due respect. We can’t implement an election without the necessary law,’ Garcia said.

The Supreme Court earlier ordered the BTA to determine, by October 30, 2025, the parliamentary districts for the first regular election of Members of Parliament in accordance with the BOL.

However, Garcia said that based on Comelec’s dialogue with BTA members and other regional leaders, Congress must first pass a law setting the exact date of the Bangsamoro polls before the BTA can enact its own redistricting law.

‘It’s a bit complicated, and we don’t want this issue to turn into a blame game among institutions. We have to coordinate closely because this is about peace,’ Garcia said.

Despite the legal hurdles, Garcia assured the public that the Comelec is doing its best to comply with the Court’s directive to conduct the Bangsamoro parliamentary elections next year.

‘March 31 is our working timeline and as far as the Comelec is concerned, we will proceed,’ he said, adding that the poll body is also willing to assist in redistricting and amending the Bangsamoro Election Code if necessary.

The Philippine Embassy will launch an eVisa for Chinese nationals in China in November, as part of continuing efforts to strengthen people-to-people exchange and facilitate trade and tourism.

‘I am pleased to announce that the Philippine Embassy in Beijing, as well as our Consulates in Chongqing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Macau, Shanghai, and Xiamen, will soon begin issuing Philippine electronic visas to qualified applicants residing in Mainland China and its Special Administrative Regions, enabling applications to be made online and making the visa application process more convenient for those making a temporary visit to the Philippines,’ said Philippine Ambassador Jaime FlorCruz.

Chinese applicants who will visit the Philippines for tourism or business purposes can apply for the eVisa if they are travelling for a non-extendable period of 14 days. They should enter through the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Metro Manila or the Mactan-Cebu International Airport.

The Philippine Embassy will soon provide more details about the eVisa, including the relevant websites and procedures for the submission of requirements, in collaboration with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and VFS Global in China. FlorCruz signed on Wednesday a Memorandum of Agreement with VFS Global to implement the project.

Chinese travelers who wish to stay in the Philippines for more than 14 days, as well as other eligible nationals living in China, may still apply for the conventional visa through the nearest Visa Application Centers that will open in Beijing, Chongqing, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, and Shanghai.

‘The implementation of the eVisa comes at an opportune time,’ said FlorCruz. ‘Under the leadership of Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro, the Department of Foreign Affairs met with the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in July 2025 for the Joint Consular Consultations,’ he added.

Metro Pacific Health Tech Corp., or mWell, has partnered with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) for an application-based integrated healthcare services that the public can access through the government’s eGov PH App.

As part of the partnership, mWell and DICT are working towards integrating the mWell Health ID into the eGov PH App, which already has 18 million registered users.

This planned integration positions mWell as the health engine behind DICT’s eGov platform, advancing a shared mission to make quality healthcare accessible to all Filipinos.

MWell is Metro Pacific Investments Corp.’s (MPIC) digital healthcare arm.

Manuel V. Pangilinan, MPIC and mWell chairman, said that the partnership will provide significant support for expanding mWell’s operations and coverage across the country.

Under the partnership, mWell’s infrastructure will provide offsite services for the public accessing healthcare services through the government’s one-stop shop eGovPH app.

The partnership provides for people accessing the app to consult with doctors, view medical records seamlessly, and access other health-related services.

The said partnership was signed in mWell’s primary care clinic in Bacoor. The said clinic was built to comply with the accreditation with Philippine Health Insurance Corp., officials said.

Officials said the partnership will also enable citizens to schedule onsite consultation with partner clinics and order medicine and health essentials.

Pangilinan said this aligns with mWell’s goal of providing nationwide, interoperable health services infrastructure that supports Universal Health Care goals and aligns with the government’s Digital Philippines agenda, including health programs such as the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP).

‘This partnership will be foundational in providing every Filipino their right to quality care. Healthcare is always among the top concerns of our countrymen. Together with government, we will close the healthcare gap and uplift quality of life in every community, and across every generation.’

Other areas of collaboration with the government, like permission to fly drones for delivering medicine to remote areas, he said.

June Cheryl Cabal-Revilla, mWell president and MPIC chief finance officer, said the delivery of medicines via drones have already been tested in areas in Laguna, Batangas and Ilocos.

‘The future of healthcare is now. This partnership brings together the country’s greatest minds and the biggest hearts committed to make the Philippines a global leader in digital health. By working closely with the DICT, we are creating a digital healthcare network where government, providers, and patients are united by technology and compassion,’ Revilla said.

‘It means a mother in a remote barangay can consult a doctor without leaving her community. It means young people can seek mind health support with dignity and privacy. It means families can keep their medical history safe for a lifetime. This is the promise of digital health that provides accessible, affordable, and inclusive care for all.’

The board of Gotianun-led Filinvest Development Corp. (FDC) has approved the merger of several wholly-owned hospitality arms of the company to streamline its operations.

The merger is an internal corporate restructuring initiative intended to streamline the

organizational and operational structure of the Filinvest Group’s hospitality business.

The said firms are Boracay Seascapes Inc., Dauin Seascapes Inc., Duawon Seascapes Resort Inc., Dumaguete Cityscapes Inc., Gensan Cityscapes Inc., Mactan Seascapes Services Inc., Princesa Cityscapes Inc. and Zamboanga Cityscapes Inc.

Filinvest Hospitality Corp. will be the surviving entity.

‘The transaction only involves the consolidation of unlisted subsidiaries and no new shares of FDC will be issued as a result of the merger. The transaction will be accounted for as a transaction between entities under common control and is expected to have no material financial effect on the consolidated group upon completion,’ the company said in its disclosure. For the first half of the year, revenues of FDC’s hospitality group grew 7 percent to P2.2 billion.

FDC attributed this to higher occupancy, higher volume and spend per guest, as well as improved contributions from the food and beverage segment across its portfolio.

The company has seven hotels with 1,800 rooms, and two 18-hole golf courses situated in Filinvest Mimosa Plus Leisure City in Clark, Pampanga.

The company operates three homegrown brands: Crimson, Quest, and Timberland Highlands.

For the first half, FDC’s attributable net income jumped 34 percent to P7.43 billion from the previous year’s P5.54 billion, mainly driven by robust top line growth and improvements in gross and operating margins across most of the business segments.

The hospitality segment accounted for only 2 percent of the total or P204.9 million, a 33- percent increase from the same period last year.

‘We sustained our strong growth momentum in 2024 to the first half of 2025. All our business units contributed to this performance despite several challenges. We are striving to deliver strong results for the entire year. We are harnessing the energy of the organization to continuously grow the business despite some headwinds,’ FDC President and CEO Rhoda A. Huang said.

Shopping mall operator SM Prime Holdings Inc. will open SM City La Union in Ilocos region, its 89th mall in the Philippines, on October 17.

Located along Diversion Road, Barangay Biday in San Fernando City, SM City La Union spans more than 51,000 square meters of leasable area, over 80 percent of which has already been taken up.

‘This is our ninth mall in Northern Luzon and we designed it to serve as a landmark for both residents and tourists,’ SM Prime President Jeffrey Lim said.

‘As the surfing capital of the region, La Union deserves a retail center that reflects its vibrant lifestyle and rich culture.’

A highlight of SM City La Union is the Sandbox, a 1,348-square meter outdoor venue designed for sports tournaments, mini-concerts, yoga, Zumba and other community activities. Alongside it runs a bike lane parallel to a manmade sandbar, giving cyclists a unique way to enjoy the area’s open-air setting.

SM City La Union will be anchored by major tenants such as department store, supermarket, Ace Hardware, Toy Kingdom, Levi’s, Watsons, Surplus, Pet Express, Adidas, Miniso, Sports Central, SM Appliance Center, Puma, Uniqlo, National Bookstore and BDO.

For dining and leisure, the mall will feature an SM Foodhall offering Ilocano, Filipino and international dishes, while SM Cinema will showcase the first Director’s Club in the province.

‘With our diverse and unique offerings, we hope to strengthen La Union’s position as both a tourism and economic hub in Northern Luzon,’ Lim said.

In 2024, La Union’s tourism industry generated over P1 billion in revenues, driven by an increase in spending per visitor. The average length of stay also slightly grew year-on-year from 1.33 days to 1.39 days.

With more than 500,000 tourist arrivals in the same year, San Fernando City, San Juan and Bauang municipalities ranked as the top three destinations in the province.