Category: Philippines

Business

Ayala Land’s AREIT Makes a Major Leadership Move—And This Deal Veteran Is Now at the Center of Its ₱179-Billion Expansion

MANILA, Philippines — Ayala Land-backed AREIT Inc. is strengthening its leadership team as the country’s largest listed property trust moves toward another major expansion, appointing veteran capital-markets executive Eduardo Javier P. Carballo as its new chief operating officer. Carballo, 53, brings more than 25 years of experience in debt capital markets, treasury strategy and large-scale financing across Asia-Pacific, the United States, Europe and emerging markets. According to AREIT's Phili

September 3, 2026

Business

Singapore Is Auctioning Luxury Homes Linked to the S$3 Billion Money-Laundering Case — One Penthouse Alone Is Guided at S$25.3 Million

SINGAPORE — Luxury homes in some of Singapore’s most sought-after neighbourhoods, along with a Grade A office unit at Suntec Tower One, are heading to auction as authorities begin the next major phase of liquidating assets forfeited in the country’s S$3 billion money-laundering case. A total of 14 more luxury condominium units and one office unit have been listed for auction this month, according to checks by CNA on Thursday, September 3. The properties include units at South Beach Residences,

September 3, 2026

Business

Robina Gokongwei-Pe Backed UP When Almost Nobody Believed—Then the Fighting Maroons Changed Everything

For years, the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons were better known for heartbreaking losses than championship celebrations. But when business leader and UP alumna Robina Gokongwei-Pe first threw her support behind the men's basketball program in 2010, she saw something that went beyond the scoreboard. She saw potential. And she decided to stay—even when the wins were almost impossible to find. Gokongwei-Pe's story of standing behind the Fighting Maroons has resurfaced through In

September 3, 2026

Philippines

Siargao Turns Into a Giant Dining Room as Island Food Festival Showcases the Philippines’ Next Culinary Hotspot

From fresh seafood and local coffee to coconut-focused dinners and a beachside boodle fight, Ani Sang Siargao brought chefs, farmers, fishers and food lovers together across the island. SIARGAO, PHILIPPINES — Siargao may be internationally famous for its waves, but its food scene is increasingly becoming a destination in its own right. The 2026 Siargao Food & Wine Festival, also known as Ani Sang Siargao, transformed the island into an island-wide culinary playground from August 26 to 31, brin

September 3, 2026

Business

Megawide Gets a Major Upgrade as Housing Bet Gains Momentum—Here’s What First Metro Sees Coming Next

MANILA, Philippines — Megawide Construction Corp. is gaining renewed attention from investors as its aggressive push into affordable housing begins to reshape the company’s growth outlook amid a challenging Philippine construction and property market. First Metro Securities has upgraded its valuation view on Megawide, raising its price target to ₱7.50 per share from ₱4.50, while maintaining a “Buy” rating. The brokerage said the company’s participation in the government’s Expanded Pambansang Pa

September 3, 2026

Philippines

Jinggoy Estrada Refuses to Plead—Then Sandiganbayan Makes the Move for Him

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada declined to personally enter a plea during his arraignment before the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division on Thursday, September 3, prompting the anti-graft court to enter a not guilty plea on his behalf in the graft and plunder cases tied to an alleged ₱573.75-million flood control kickback scheme. The development marks another major turn in the widening government investigation into alleged irregularities surrounding public works and flood control

September 3, 2026

Philippines

Manuel Bonoan Declared Clinically Stable—Then Sandiganbayan Makes Its Move

Former Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel “Manny” Bonoan has been ordered released by the Sandiganbayan, days after the anti-graft court removed him as a co-accused in cases stemming from the controversial flood-control projects. The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division issued the release order on Thursday, September 3, effectively ending Bonoan’s hospital arrest at the Philippine National Police General Hospital in Camp Crame, where he had been held since June because of several

September 3, 2026

Philippines

Bomb Threat Reported at NU-MOA in Pasay City — Then Police Revealed What They Found

MANILA, Philippines — A reported bomb threat at National University–Mall of Asia (NU-MOA) in Pasay City prompted a security operation Thursday morning, September 3, forcing the university to temporarily shift classes online while authorities inspected the campus. The incident began after an alleged threat was posted on the NU-MOA Facebook page late Wednesday night. According to the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), a member of the university’s Safety Office received information abo

September 3, 2026

Entertainment

Philippine flags, “Laban Alex” signs and packed practice courts show just how far the 21-year-old star’s popularity has reached

NEW YORK — The tennis may be happening inside the courts of Flushing Meadows, but outside them, another story is rapidly unfolding: Alex Eala is turning the US Open into a celebration of Filipino pride. The 21-year-old Filipina arrived in New York carrying more than the expectations of a rising tennis star. She brought with her a rapidly expanding international fan base — one that has made its presence impossible to miss at the 2026 US Open. Even before Eala played her opening-round match, Fil

September 3, 2026

Philippines

Sara Duterte’s Impeachment May Hinge on 16 Votes — But Prosecutors Are Keeping One Supreme Court Move in Reserve

MANILA, Philippines — The battle over Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment may eventually move beyond the Senate floor and into the Supreme Court—not necessarily over the evidence against her, but over one deceptively simple question: How many senator-judges are actually needed to convict her? For now, the House prosecution panel says it is working on the assumption that the answer is 16 votes, the number produced by taking two-thirds of the constitutionally prescribed 24-member Senate. B

September 3, 2026