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Business World Philippines - October 09, 2025

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In this issue

October 09, 2025

Scrapping VAT may trigger crisis – analysts

ECONOMISTS and tax experts warned that scrapping the value-added tax (VAT) may trigger a fiscal or even an economic crisis, as the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) collected P487 billion in the first eight months of 2025.

3 mins

Marcos inks new energy deals, hopes to reduce PHL dependence on oil imports

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Wednesday signed eight new petroleum service contracts (PSCs), representing a potential investment of around $207 million (around P12 billion) over a seven-year exploration period.

2 mins

Flood control mess erases P1.7T in market value – SEC chief

A WIDENING corruption scandal involving flood control projects has shaken investor confidence, erasing around PL7 trillion in market value in just three weeks, according to Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairperson Francisco Ed. Lim.

2 mins

Jobless rate eases to 3.9% in August

THE PHILIPPINES’ unemployment rate dropped to 3.9% in August, driven by renewed hiring in the agriculture and construction sectors, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on Wednesday.

4 mins

First Gen to supply renewable energy to Mets Cold Storage

LOPEZ-LED First Gen Corp. has signed an agreement with Mets Cold Storage Services, Inc. (Mets) to supply renewable energy (RE) to the latter’s cold storage facility in Cagayan de Oro City.

1 mins

SM Prime’s Hans Sy named MAP Management Person of the Year

THE Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) has named Hans T. Sy, chairman of the executive committee of listed property giant SM Prime Holdings, Inc., as its Management Person of the Year 2025.

1 mins

Alfamart launches MSME-focused franchising program

ALFAMART PHILIPPINES, the minimart chain of the SM group, has rolled out its franchising program targeting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) seeking to scale their operations.

1 mins

MGEN opens research hub in Iloilo City

MERALCO POWERGEN CORP. (MGEN), in partnership with the Meralco Power Academy (MPA), has established a learning and research hub in Iloilo City aimed at providing training and research programs related to the power industry.

1 mins

SMC extends bondholder consent period for NAIA financing plan

SAN MIGUEL CORP. (SMC) has extended until Oct. 22 the deadline for bondholders to give their consent to proposed amendments to several bond terms, which would allow the conglomerate to use its shares in New NAIA Infra Corp. as collateral for project financing.

1 mins

ACEN pours P1.9B into 133-MW solar venture in Cagayan

AYALA-LED ACEN Corp. has infused an additional P1.9 billion into its subsidiary operating a 133-megawatt (MW) solar farm in Cagayan to fund its expenses.

1 mins

Filinvest Group celebrates 70 years with partners, purpose, and shared generosity

The Filinvest Group recently gathered for a special celebration with its valued partners last September 17 to honor 70 years of enabling dreams together.

3 mins

SEC to ramp up outreach as FARMS program draws no participants

NO COMPANY has joined the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Financing Agribusiness through Responsible Market Solutions (FARMS) program since its launch in 2023, the commission said.

1 mins

SM Hotels eyes composting 80% of food waste by 2040

SM HOTELS and Conventions Corp. (SMHCC), the hospitality arm of property developer SM Prime Holdings, Inc., aims to compost 80% of its food waste by 2040 as part of its push for sustainable dining across its properties.

1 mins

Palace not concerned after Sept. 1.7% inflation reading

MALACAÑANG said the September inflation reading of 1.7% is no cause for concern, adding that the indicator remains below the 2% lower limit of the government's target band.

1 mins

Masbate, Leyte, Quezon, Eastern Samar fisheries most exposed to climate change

THE National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI) said the provinces deemed most vulnerable to climate change were Masbate, Leyte, Quezon and Eastern Samar.

1 mins

Zambales gets agri investments like cold storage, greenhouses

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said Zambales has been allocated 150 greenhouses and a P35-million cold storage facility due to be delivered next year.

1 mins

Noche Buena price guide expected within 2 weeks

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it hopes to release its price guide for items traditionally consumed during Christmas Eve feast within the next two weeks.

1 mins

360 families affected by NSCR to get new housing this year

THE Department of Transportation (DoTr) said it is expediting the relocation of residents in the path of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR), with the first 360 families to be rehoused within the year.

1 mins

Laoag airport being readied for possible services to Honolulu

THE Department of Transportation (DoTr) said the airports in Laoag City and Busuanga in northern Palawan are being readied to handle international flights, with Laoag in particular being positioned for services linking it to Honolulu.

2 mins

Hubris at the top could start a major war

AS THE WORLD (including the self-styled peacemaker-in-chief in the White House) holds its breath for the announcement of this year's Nobel Peace Prize, spare a moment to ponder the growing risk of war, including world war.

4 mins

The two years of fighting since Oct. 7 have transformed the Middle East

The morning of Oct. 7, 2023, set in process a series of events which have profoundly changed the Middle East.

3 mins

Background music

WHATEVER happened to background music in public places? Does one even notice it in the malls or restaurants?

3 mins

The tipping point

When economic distress and political discontent intersect, the tipping point becomes closer.

4 mins

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition

THE Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition is part of the brand’s lineup of artificial intelligence (AI) Pcs.

1 mins

Malaysia’s MMC Port Holdings delays IPO to include full-year results

Malaysia’s MMC Port Holdings has decided to postpone its planned initial public offering (IPO) to next year so that it can include its full-year 2025 financial results, two sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Tuesday.

1 mins

Singapore vs Philippines in startup funding: lessons for fintech growth

THE FIRST HALF of 2025 laid bare the stark divergence in startup funding fortunes between Singapore and the Philippines, especially in the fintech sector.

3 mins

Airbus A320 flies past Boeing 737 as most-delivered jetliner in history

Europe’s Airbus broke a major commercial barrier on Tuesday when its A320 family of planes overtook the Boeing 737 to become the most-delivered jetliner in history.

3 mins

Siemens Healthineers to bring more helium-free MR devices to PHL hospitals

SIEMENS Healthineers, a Germany-based medical technology company, is looking to install more helium-free magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) devices to underserved hospitals in the Philippines next year.

2 mins

Cocoa hits 1-1/2-year low; coffee slides

NEW YORK — London cocoa futures on ICE hit their lowest in more than 1-1/2 years on Tuesday, with supplies boosted by newly harvested crops from West Africa, while demand remained weak.

1 mins

US gold futures top $4,000 as record run gathers pace

US GOLD FUTURES surged past the $4,000 per ounce milestone for the first time on Tuesday, driven by expectations of a US Federal Reserve rate cut later this month and persistent safe-haven demand due to the ongoing US government shutdown.

1 mins

Copper up from Monday’s peak on mine disruptions

Copper prices on Tuesday headed back towards the 16-month highs hit in the previous session as worries about continued mine disruptions overshadowed any drag from a stronger dollar.

1 mins

Wall St. equities retreat from record highs as economic fears mount

US stocks closed lower on Tuesday as investors, deprived of economic data resulting from the shuttered government, looked to secondary indicators and remarks from US Federal Reserve officials for clues regarding economic weakness and monetary policy.

2 mins

Oil prices settle flat amid OPEC+ output hikes, supply glut woes

Oil prices steadied on Tuesday as investors weighed a smaller-than-expected increase to OPEC+ output in November against signs of a potential supply glut.

1 mins

Britain not seeking visa deal with India, Starmer says

Britain will not pursue a visa deal with India, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, as he aims to deepen economic ties with the country following this year’s trade agreement.

1 mins

Gaza aid flotilla says Israeli forces intercepted its boats

A GROUP of vessels attempting to deliver aid to the war-ravaged Gaza Strip was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters on Wednesday, the coalition behind the convoy said, the second such interception in the past week.

1 mins

New Zealand delivers jolt to frail economy with 50-bp rate cut, flags more easing

New Zealand’s central bank slashed its benchmark rate by an aggressive 50 basis points (bps) on Wednesday, surprising some in the markets as policymakers signaled concerns about the frail state of the economy and kept the door open for further easing.

3 mins

EU steel import quota plan goes too far, says European auto lobby

A new European Union (EU) plan to sharply cut steel import quotas goes too far and threatens European automakers with higher input and administrative costs, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) said on Wednesday.

1 mins

AJ Lim rules the men’s singles of the PCA Open

AJ LIM showed his readiness to shoot for a medal in this December’s Southeast Asian Games after he topped the men’s singles of the Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open in Paco, Manila over the weekend.

1 mins

UPHSD Altas stun MU Cardinals to lead NCAA 101 seniors hoops

FROM THE TIME it joined the NCAA almost four decades ago and up to now, University of Perpetual Help System DALTA (UPHSD) has never stopped dreaming of a breakthrough senior basketball championship.

1 mins

Facing elimination, Phillies put ball in Aaron Nola’s hands versus Los Angeles Dodgers

Even with their flaws exposed, the Los Angeles Dodgers get their first chance to advance out of the National League Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies as the matchup shifts to the West Coast for Game 3 on Wednesday.

2 mins

PVL orders the reply of the openers after the release of imports’ ITCs

BACK to square one.

1 mins

Yankees wipe out Blue Jays’ 5-run lead, stay alive in ALDS

Aaron Judge hit a tying three-run homer in the fourth inning, Jazz Chisholm, Jr. socked a go-ahead solo homer in the fifth and the New York Yankees avoided elimination in the American League Division Series (ALDS) with a 9-6 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 3 on Tuesday.

1 mins

Philippines asks Ireland to join naval drills in disputed South China Sea

THE PHILIPPINES’ top Defense official has invited Ireland to join naval exercises, as Manila looks to expand its network of security partners amid lingering tensions in the South China Sea.

1 mins

ICI seeks travel ‘lookout' on 33 people

THE Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) on Wednesday asked the Department of Justice (DoJ) to issue immigration lookout bulletin orders against 33 people including lawmakers, government officials and contractors allegedly linked to anomalous flood control projects.

2 mins

AMLC freezes 12 more bank accounts in flood scandal

THE Court of Appeals (CA) has frozen another batch of bank accounts linked to the Philippines’ flood control scandal, raising the total value of restrained assets to P4.4 billion, the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) said on Wednesday.

1 mins

Senator flags potential P10-billion loss from overpriced farm-to-market roads

A PHILIPPINE senator on Wednesday said the government might have lost more than P10billion to overpriced farm-to-market road projects from 2023 to 2024, calling it a clear sign of corruption.

2 mins

Peso returns to P57-a-dollar level as market awaits BSP's policy decision

THE PESO climbed back to the P57-perdollar level on Wednesday as the market looked ahead to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas' (BSP) policy meeting.

1 mins

BSP to pause rate cut cycle this week as it seeks clearer economic picture

THE BANGKO SENTRAL ng Pilipinas (BSP) could pause its easing cycle anew at this week’s meeting even as September inflation was below market expectations as it will likely want to see more data to assess the overall economic picture, analysts said.

3 mins

TDF yields go down as benign inflation supports easing bets

YIELDS on the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) term deposits continued to edge down on Wednesday amid strong demand and on expectations of another rate cut as inflation remains benign.

2 mins

PSE index climbs on positive data, foreign buying

PHILIPPINE STOCKS edged up on Wednesday, boosted by foreign buying and positive economic data that could affect the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) policy decision this week.

2 mins

MR.DIY Philippines wins ESGBusiness Award for Job Creation in PHL

HOME IMPROVEMENT retailer MR.DIY Philippines has been honored for Job Creation in the Philippines at the ESGBusiness Awards held on Sept. 25 at The Westin Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

1 mins

Anaplan appoints Simone Pigason as country head for the Philippines

AI-DRIVEN SCENARIO planning and analysis platform Anaplan has appointed Simone Pigason as its new country head for the Philippines.

1 mins

SM Investments certified as a Great Place to Work in 2025

SM INVESTMENTS CORP. (SM Investments), the parent company of the SM group, has been certified as a Great Place to Work for 2025 by the global authority on workplace culture, Great Place to Work.

1 mins

Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria’s grand gala to champion women, sustainability

CROWNE PLAZA MANILA Galleria, in collaboration with JMG Infinity Events, will celebrate the strength, style, and stories of women in “Her Story: Celebrating Every Woman's Milestones,” a fashion gala happening on Sunday, Oct. 12, at 6 p.m. in the hotel's Grand Ballroom.

1 mins

A Taste of Australia launched at Landmark Supermarket Makati

THE FLAVORS and vibrance of Australia are now closer than ever as A Taste of Australia was recently launched at Landmark Supermarket Makati.

1 mins

ConSync digital marks 10 years of transforming brands online

CONSYNC DIGITAL, a Filipino creative powerhouse in the digital space, is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a bold rebrand and a renewed commitment to empowering brands through clarity, creativity and strategy.

1 mins

Lucky Me-rch: Pancit hops from plates to T-shirts

FOR THIS month’s National Noodle Day — which fell on Oct. 6 — noodle giant Lucky Me! has released a line of T-shirts and tote bags with Linya Linya, a social media and T-shirt company co-founded by Ali Sangalang.

1 mins

Gordon Ramsay’s Knife Edge spotlights culinary world’s chase for Michelin glory

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay goes behind the camera for a new series, Knife Edge: Chasing Michelin Stars, that shines the spotlight on restaurants working to attain the coveted culinary accolade.

2 mins

Stories and drinks all the way from Albania

QUICK — how many Albanians do you know? Thanks to its unstable politics and its history of isolation, probably not many.

3 mins

Read all Stories from Business World Philippines

Business World Philippines Description:

Publisher: Philstar-Daily-Inc.

Category: Newspaper

Language: English

Frequency: Daily

BusinessWorld, the country’s leading business newspaper represents five decades of professional economic journalism. Founded in 1967 as Business Day, it is Southeast Asia's first daily business newspaper. BusinessWorld considered a standard of fairness, credibility and integrity in the journalistic world. Today, the business paper comes out Mondays through Fridays (with a Saturday exclusive online edition) with a national circulation of 151,000 as of 2016.