Manila Standard Business

29/07/2025

MVP Group eyes San Miguel’s 3.8% share in Meralco

The MVP Group, led by businessman Manuel Pangilinan, is open to acquiring San Miguel Corp.’s 3.8-percent interest in power retailer Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), although no firm decision has been made by the board.

San Miguel, led by businessman Ramon Ang, through its power generation arm San Miguel Global Power Holdings Corp., acquired its stake in Meralco from Land Bank of the Philippines for about P3.9 billion. The deal was consummated after 17 years.

Meralco chairman and chief executive Manuel Pangilinan said they were waiting for a signal from Ang on his plans for the Meralco shares.

“As to what he intends to do with his acquisition, we have not spoken to him about it. A bit too early to do that,” Pangilinan said.

Meralco’s major shareholders include Metro Pacific Investments Corp. and JG Summit Holdings Inc.

MVP Group, led by Manuel Pangilinan, is considering acquiring San Miguel Corp.'s 3.8% stake in Meralco, a deal that could be worth P23.4 billion, higher than the acquisition cost of P3.9 billion made after 17 years.The MVP Group, led by businessman Manuel Pangilinan, is open to acquiring San Miguel....

29/07/2025

DBM asks senators, congressmen to follow President’s budget

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) asked lawmakers to follow President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive on the National Expenditure Program (NEP) to curb corruption and boost transparency and accountability within the government.

Speaking during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), the president made a strong statement on the 2026 national budget, saying he would not approve a proposed budget that deviates from the NEP, also known as the President’s Budget.

“For the 2026 National Budget, I will return any proposed General Appropriations Bill that is not fully aligned with the National Expenditure Program. And further, I am willing to do this even if we end up with a re-enacted budget,” the president said.

“Hindi ko aaprubahan ang kahit anumang badyet na hindi alinsunod sa plano ng gobyerno para sa sambayanang Pilipino,” Marcos said.

16/07/2025

First Gen sells 60% gas business stake to Prime Infra for P50 billion

First Gen Corp. said Wednesday it signed an agreement to sell a 60-percent equity stake in its gas business subsidiaries to Prime Infrastructure Capital Inc., the company of billionaire Enrique Razon Jr., for P50 billion.

https://manilastandard.net/business/314616516/first-gen-sells-60-gas-business-stake-to-prime-infra-for-p50-billion.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawLkAFtleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFuSk5GVG1qa01PU0c4bk9UAR7RnNLKCBiLoGfVfa2kzx0L6cwRoN7kUQq8bxMwigd1NdT46BCqSl4nFFHo0A_aem_l95dZ3QzJ5UJYwTO6gGgXA

First Gen Corp. said Wednesday it signed an agreement to sell a 60-percent equity stake in its gas business subsidiaries to Prime Infrastructure Capital

04/07/2025

Aboitiz consortium wins bid for Caliraya-Botocan-Kalayaan power plants

Aboitiz-led Thunder Consortium has won the bid for the 796.64-megawatt Caliraya-Botocan-Kalayaan (CBK) hydroelectric power plants with an offer of 36.266 billion pesos.

Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) president Dennis de la Serna said the offer from the Aboitiz consortium, comprising Aboitiz Renewables Inc., Sumitomo Corp. and Electric Power Development Co. (J Power), met the government’s minimum reserve price.

04/07/2025

DigiPlus stock plummets over 40% amid Philippine online gambling crackdown fears

Shares of DigiPlus Interactive Corp. plunged more than 40 percent from their recent peak, as investors reacted to proposed legislation and regulations targeting the online gambling sector.

Data from the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) showed DigiPlus’ stock price fell to P38.74 as of Thursday from a recent high of P65.30.

Full story link on comment section

04/07/2025

MRT-3, LRT-2 open dedicated student lanes

The Metro Rail Translit-3 and Light Rail Transit-2 rail lines opened dedicated student lanes at each station to provide smoother processing for students eligible for a 50-percent fare discount.

The initiative follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive for the MRT-3, LRT-1, and LRT-2 lines to eliminate long queues and enhance passenger convenience, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said in a social media post.

29/06/2025

OFW Couple Builds a Carpet Empire

Outside their day jobs, the couple runs Carpet Studio—a budding interiors brand that’s quickly gaining traction among Filipino homeowners and design professionals back home.

Even while based overseas, Lester and Laarni manage a growing startup that now serves clients in Davao, Marikina, and even some of Metro Manila’s upscale neighborhoods.

The key? Seamless coordination, mutual trust, and an unshakable commitment to family and long-term goals.

Read more at the link in the comments section.🔗

29/06/2025

Capital One Philippines Climbs to 6th in Best Workplaces in IT-BPM 2025

Capital One Philippines has been ranked 6th in the 2025 Philippines Best Workplaces™ in IT-BPM, a recognition granted by Great Place To Work® to the top 30 companies that foster a high-trust, high-performance workplace culture.

This is the second straight year the company has received the honor, rising from 8th place in 2024. The award was conferred during the Solaia Awards, the IT-BPM industry’s premier recognition event, held on June 11 at Shangri-La The Fort in Taguig City.

Now in its second year, the Solaia Awards highlight industry trailblazers advancing innovation, partnerships, and people-centric practices in the IT-BPM space.

Read more at the link in the comments section.🔗

29/06/2025

NAIA lease rate hike sparks outcry: Advocacy group demands suspension and public consultation

A non-profit advocacy group, Pinoy Aksyon for Governance and the Environment Inc., is calling for the immediate suspension of proposed lease rate increases at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). In a letter addressed to Department of Transportation Secretary Vivencio B. Dizon, the group expressed serious concerns over the planned hikes, which range from 300 percent to 1000 percent, imposed by the New NAIA Infrastructure Corporation (NNIC).

“These exorbitant increases will undeniably burden both airport concessionaires and Filipino consumers, leading to a significant spike in prices,” stated BenCyrus G. Ellorin, president of Pinoy Aksyon.

Read more at the link in the comments section.🔗

29/06/2025

Mang Inasal Rolls Out Nationwide Pork BBQ Caravan

Mang Inasal, the Philippines’ Grill Expert, has launched its nationwide Pork BBQ Caravan to bring its iconic grilled flavor to more communities across the country.

The caravan kicked off at Ayala Malls Circuit Makati, marking the start of the brand’s Ihaw-Sarap season this June.

“Our Pork BBQ Caravan is our way of bringing the Ihaw-Sarap experience closer to more Filipinos,” said Mang Inasal president Mike V. Castro.
Read more at the link in the comments section.🔗

29/06/2025

Karina Herrera Orozco to Showcase Debut Solo Exhibit ‘Colors of Life’ at Gateway Gallery

Mandala artist Karina Herrera Orozco unveils her first solo exhibition, Colors of Life, at the Gateway Gallery from June 28 to July 12, 2025.

The show offers a mesmerizing glimpse into her deeply personal and spiritual journey through Mandala art.

Rooted in the Sanskrit word for “circle,” the mandala is a sacred symbol in Hindu and Buddhist traditions, representing wholeness, balance, and the universe.

In modern usage, it is widely recognized as a geometric design evoking harmony and unity—concepts that Karina masterfully brings to life in her work.
Read more at the link in the comments section.🔗

29/06/2025

Consumers grew more pessimistic for second quarter of 2025

Filipino consumers grew more pessimistic in the second quarter of 2025, on higher inflation, lower family incomes and fewer job opportunities, a Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas survey showed over the weekend.

The BSP’s latest Consumer Expectations Survey (CES) revealed the overall consumer confidence index (CI) for the current quarter fell to -14.0 percent in the April-June period from -13.0 percent in the first quarter of 2025. A negative CI indicates a greater number of pessimistic respondents than optimistic ones.

Read more at the link in the comments section.🔗