Cebu Postpones Bus Rapid Transit Pilot Run After Congestion, Safety Issues

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September 29, 2025

Cebu Archbishop Uy — Cebu Archbishop-designate Alberto “Abet” Uy.

Thousands of Catholics filled streets, ports, and churches on Sunday, September 28, to bid farewell to Archbishop-designate Alberto “Abet” Uy in Bohol and to welcome him warmly in Cebu, where he is set to assume leadership of the country’s largest archdiocese.

In Tagbilaran City, hundreds of Boholanos packed the St. Joseph the Worker Cathedral-Shrine for Uy’s final Mass as Bishop of Tagbilaran, a post he had held since 2016.

In his homily, Uy cautioned the faithful that indifference can be as destructive as cruelty.

“When we close our hearts to the poor, we are also closing our hearts to God,” he said, urging Catholics to embrace generosity. “Those who have more than they need should build longer tables, not higher fences, and open their hearts wider for others.”

After the Mass, parishioners and local leaders escorted him to the Tagbilaran port. Uy departed aboard Oceanjet 8 at noon and arrived at Cebu’s Pier 1 shortly before 4 p.m., where a massive crowd had gathered in anticipation.

He was greeted by outgoing Archbishop Jose Palma, civic leaders including the mayors of Cebu, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu, as well as parish representatives.

Church officials presented him with symbolic gifts — an image of the Señor Santo Niño and Cebu’s iconic guitar — while the Sandiego Dance Troupe performed a Sinulog dance.

From the port, a motorcade carried Uy through streets lined with parishioners, students, and families waving yellow and white flags and placards.

Chants of “Welcome to Cebu, Archbishop” and “We love you, Archbishop” rang out as he smiled and waved back. Uy later told reporters he felt “overwhelmed” by the warm reception.

The motorcade concluded at the Cebu Archdiocesan Shrine of Saint Pedro Calungsod, where Uy fulfilled canonical requirements by making his Solemn Profession of Faith and taking the Oath of Fidelity. He also joined the Vespers service and witnessed the unveiling of his coat of arms.

Palma, who turned 75 in March, stepped down after more than a decade at the helm of the Archdiocese. On July 16, Pope Leo XIV appointed Uy as his successor, making him the fifth Metropolitan Archbishop of Cebu.

Born in Ubay, Bohol, Uy served nine years as Bishop of Tagbilaran. He became known for his strong stance against corruption, his calls for accountability in government, and his environmental programs, including One Believer, One Tree and the Hipos Tarp Operation, a parish-led cleanup campaign after elections.

Cebu is hosting several activities ahead of Uy’s formal installation, including a civic reception, tree-planting, a feeding program, and public veneration.

The Mass of Canonical Possession and Installation will be held at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, September 30, at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.

Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Charles John Brown will preside as installing prelate, while Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples in Rome, will deliver the homily.

The ceremony will draw 820 priests, 52 bishops and archbishops, and three Filipino cardinals, underscoring Cebu’s place as the cradle of Christianity in the Philippines and home to more than 4.7 million Catholics across 170 parishes.

Cebu Business News

Metro Cebu Housing Prices Up 11.5% Year-on-Year

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September 26, 2025

Metro Cebu posted some of the fastest housing price increases in the Philippines in the second quarter of 2025, helping drive nationwide residential property prices up 7.5% year-on-year, central bank data showed.

Prices in Metro Cebu rose 11.5% from a year earlier and 12.2% from the previous quarter, marking their strongest quarterly growth since 2019, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) Residential Property Price Index (RPPI).

Balance Greater Manila Area also recorded double-digit gains at 13.2% year-on-year, while Metro Mindanao rose 7.7%.

Nationwide housing prices rose at a slightly slower annual pace compared with the 7.6% increase in the first quarter, but accelerated on a quarterly basis, climbing 4.2% from 2.6% previously.

Growth outside the National Capital Region (AONCR) outpaced that in Metro Manila.

Prices in AONCR surged 11.5% year-on-year, while those in NCR rose just 2.4%, down sharply from 13.9% in the first quarter. On a quarterly basis, AONCR prices rose 10.5%, while NCR prices fell 3.6%.

By property type, house prices, which include single-detached units, townhouses, duplexes and apartments, jumped 13.1% year-on-year, offsetting a 0.2% decline in condominium prices.

The BSP also reported a recovery in residential real estate lending, with the number of housing loans rising 14.7% year-on-year after four consecutive quarters of decline.

Loan take-up for condominiums jumped nearly 40%, while loans for houses rose 2.7%.
Median housing prices nationwide stood at 3.4 million pesos ($58,000), with NCR houses commanding the highest median at 7 million pesos.

The RPPI, based on banks’ housing loan data, is among the key indicators the BSP tracks to assess risks in the property and credit markets.

Cebu Business News

Cebu Prepares For A Quiet But Historic Welcome of Archbishop Uy

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September 25, 2025

Msgr. Rogelio Fuentes, installation committee chairman; Fr. Mhar Balili, secretary general; and Msgr. Marnell Mejia, head of the welcome committee, speak about the preparations for the installation of Archbishop-designate Alberto Uy during a press conference at the Archbishop’s Palace on Thursday, September 25, 2025.

When Archbishop-designate Alberto Sy Uy assumes leadership of the country’s largest archdiocese on September 30, Cebu’s streets will bear little resemblance to the grand welcomes of the past.

No tarpaulins will hang, no banners will be raised. The 25th bishop and fifth metropolitan archbishop of Cebu has asked that his installation rites remain simple.

At a press conference on September 25, installation committee chair Msgr. Rogelio Fuentes said the decision reflects Uy’s own personality. Welcome committee head Msgr. Marnell Mejia noted that the prelate avoids fanfare.

“Ang amoa makita siya sa mga taw, he is squeamish about mga bongga nga butang,” Mejia said, underscoring Uy’s discomfort with extravagance.

Even a suggestion to use a pope-mobile–style vehicle was scrapped in favor of a modest ride.

Preparations are focused on order and participation rather than spectacle. Mejia said 500 volunteer marshals—including 250 from Couples for Christ—will help manage the large crowds expected at the rites.

Fr. Mhar Balili, secretary general of the installation committee, stressed that the celebration will highlight Uy’s advocacies instead of visual trappings.

These include environmental efforts such as tree-planting and discouraging the use of tarpaulins.

The program also features outreach: Uy will visit the Abtanan sa Kalouy, share meals with persons deprived of liberty, and meet with fisherfolk and vendors.

He also plans consultations with priests from various districts during his first months in office.

The official welcome will stretch over three days. On September 28, Uy arrives from Tagbilaran at Cebu Pier 1, where he will be received by outgoing Archbishop Jose Palma, who earlier that day will celebrate his final Mass as Cebu archbishop.

From the pier, a motorcade will bring Uy to the Archdiocesan Shrine of Saint Pedro Calungsod to make his solemn profession of faith and take the oath of fidelity.

On September 29, Cebu’s civic leaders, including Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival and Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro, will formally welcome him.

The central event follows on September 30 with the 9 a.m. installation Mass at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.

The Mass is expected to draw one of the largest gatherings of church leaders in recent years, with 820 priests, 52 bishops and archbishops, and three Filipino cardinals.

Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Charles John Brown will preside, while Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle will deliver the homily.

Uy, a native of Ubay, Bohol, was appointed to Cebu by Pope Francis on July 16, 2025, after nine years as Bishop of Tagbilaran.

He is known for his firm stance against corruption and his environmental advocacy, leading initiatives such as the “One Believer, One Tree” program and the “Hipos Tarp Operation,” a post-election campaign tarpaulin cleanup.

Cebu Business News

Cebu Scraps 13 Stalled Projects Over Delays, Audit Finds

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September 25, 2025

Unknown-46 — Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro

Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro has terminated 13 infrastructure projects as the province presses on with its sweeping audit of suspended works.

In a press conference at the Cebu Provincial Capitol on Wednesday, Baricuatro said the projects were axed either because of right-of-way disputes or because they suffered negative 15 percent slippage, a benchmark that signals severe delays.

The terminated projects cover road concreting in Daanbantayan, San Francisco in Camotes, Dalaguete, and Dumanjug; multipurpose buildings in Aloguinsan, Toledo City, and Pinamungajan; and solar lamp installations in Mandaue City, Cordova, and Consolacion.

She said these projects had budgets ranging from P1.1 million to P5.9 million.

“Mao ni ang problema, mao ning na terminate sila kay naa lagi spillage nga negative 15 percent slippage,” Baricuatro said, adding that the projects also lacked feasibility studies.

She stressed that contractors responsible for the failed works face sanctions.

“Mao ni reason na terminate ila project so most definitely ma-blacklist gyud ni nga mga contractors [of] these projects,” she added.

In public infrastructure projects, slippage refers to the delay between actual progress and the approved schedule.

A negative slippage of 15 percent or more is considered a terminal stage under government procurement rules, allowing authorities to terminate contracts and blacklist contractors.

Of the 154 projects that the province suspended in July for review, 77 projects had been cleared to resume earlier this month.

With the latest decision, 13 have now been terminated, while another 64 remain under evaluation.

Baricuatro said the review continues to uncover contractors’ recurring failures, particularly poor planning and lack of feasibility studies.

Meanwhile, Baricuatro also confirmed that the provincial engineering team inspected the riprap in Barangay Cabadiangan, Compostela, which collapsed just a week after completion.

She questioned the absence of mandatory details on the project tarpaulin.

“Makahibulong lang kay katong nga project wala siya’y date of pagstart sa project ug pag-end sa project. Unya wala pagyud cost of project nganong gi-allow ni sa COA (Commission on Audit),” she said.

Records show that Ascentia Construction Inc. implemented the project, which falls under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Despite this, Baricuatro stressed that the provincial government will step in whenever public safety is at risk.

The governor has tasked the newly created Provincial Project Monitoring Committee to conduct a separate review of the riprap collapse and require DPWH to explain the missing project details and measures to prevent similar incidents.

Cebu Business News

Ombudsman Denies Ex-Gov Garcia’s Motion in Mananga River Dispute

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September 23, 2025

Unknown-45 — Former Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia / File Photo

FORMER Cebu governor Gwendolyn Garcia’s legal fight over the controversial Mananga River desilting project suffered another setback after the Office of the Ombudsman denied her bid to overturn its earlier ruling.

In a resolution dated August 29, 2025, the Ombudsman rejected Garcia’s motion for reconsideration and upheld its finding of Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service and Simple Misconduct.

The case stemmed from a complaint filed by private citizen Moises Garcia Deiparine, who accused Garcia of authorizing the desilting project in Talisay City without first securing an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The Ombudsman’s initial decision on July 16, 2025, imposed a one-year suspension without pay.

Because Garcia’s term ended on June 30, 2025, the penalty was converted into a fine equivalent to six months of her salary, estimated at about P1.2 million.

She was cleared of other allegations, including grave abuse of authority and gross dishonesty.

In her appeal, Garcia invoked the Doctrine of Necessity, arguing that the desilting was warranted amid Cebu’s worsening water crisis and backed by recommendations from agencies such as the Department of Public Works and Highways and the DENR.

Investigators, however, dismissed her motion as lacking merit, stressing that she failed to present new evidence or identify errors in the earlier ruling.

“To be considered meritorious, the Motion must do more than merely reiterate arguments previously raised,” the Ombudsman said in its resolution.

The three-page order, signed by Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officers May De Guzman, Corinne Joie Garillo-Arellano, and Ryan Silvestre, noted that Garcia’s defenses had already been considered and rejected.

It also highlighted her implied admission that no ECC was ever obtained for the project.
On Tuesday, Garcia’s camp maintained that her appeal raised new issues, particularly the reliance on the Doctrine of Necessity.

Lawyer Benjamin Cabrido said in a statement that the desilting was not a quarrying activity but an urgent response to the water shortage triggered by the 2023–2024 El Niño.

He added that the Ombudsman failed to fully consider this context in its ruling.

Cabrido said they are preparing to file a petition before the Court of Appeals to challenge the sanction and clear Garcia of liability.

Cebu Business News

Cebu Governor to Launch Aviation Scholarships Amid Global Talent Crunch

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September 23, 2025

Cebu Provincial Governor Pamela Baricuatro said she is preparing to launch a scholarship program with aviation academies across the province to address rising demand for skilled professionals in the sector.

Speaking at the Cebu Aviation Summit 2025, hosted by Airworks Aviation Academy, Baricuatro said the scheme would target students pursuing aircraft maintenance, engineering, ground operations, and related fields.

Drawing on her experience as a former Cathay Pacific flight attendant, she said aviation should be viewed “not just as an industry, but a lifeline—a source of livelihood, a driver of our economy, and a path for our youth to rise.”

Industry forecasts point to a severe global shortage of aviation professionals. Boeing projects commercial carriers will need nearly 2.4 million new staff by 2044, including 710,000 technicians and 1 million cabin crew.

Training group CAE estimates demand for 1.5 million civil aviation workers by 2034, while Airbus sees the world’s fleet almost doubling by 2044.

The Philippine aviation sector has rebounded from the pandemic slump, but shortages of mechanics, engineers and ground staff remain acute.

Airlines are adding routes and airports are expanding, underpinning demand for skilled labour.

Baricuatro said the scholarship plan under discussion includes financial aid for low-income students, investment in labs and simulators, and partnerships with schools and airlines to align training with international standards.

“Government must stand hand in hand with schools, airlines and regulators to ensure young Cebuanos can compete globally,” she said.

By channelling local talent into high-demand roles, Cebu hopes to strengthen its position as a Southeast Asian hub for aviation training and help ease pressure on global workforce pipelines.

Cebu Business News

Business Leaders in Cebu Stress Integrity, Push ‘Invest in Cebu’ Campaign

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September 22, 2025

While persistent corruption scandals at the national level continue to weigh on the Philippines’ international reputation, Cebu’s business community is seeking to differentiate itself by highlighting local strengths, governance and a values-driven business environment.

The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) said uncertainty linked to weak governance undermines investor confidence nationwide, but Cebu has shown resilience through strong local leadership and private sector engagement.

“Trust is the currency of business, and when it is compromised, confidence wavers,” CCCI said in a statement. “But Cebu tells a different story. We continue to prove that integrity and collaboration can drive inclusive growth, even against the backdrop of national challenges.”

Promoting the tagline “Invest in Cebu, Prosper in Paradise,” the chamber is positioning the province as a safe haven for investors.

It cited Cebu’s fundamentals, including its strategic location, expanding infrastructure, skilled workforce and a long tradition of entrepreneurship.

CCCI said it is backing micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) through capacity-building programs, digital transformation initiatives and expanded market access.

Ethical business practices and innovation remain central to its growth agenda, the group added.

“Corruption may cast a shadow, but Cebu is the light,” the chamber said, casting the region as an emerging center of credibility and investor confidence in the Philippines.

Cebu Business News

PH to Remain Among Asia’s Fastest Growing Economies

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September 22, 2025

The Philippine economy is poised to remain one of Asia’s fastest-growing despite political turmoil at home and global trade headwinds, economists said at the Logistics Conference 2025 hosted by the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI).

Professor Ronilo Balbieran of the University of Asia and the Pacific said growth prospects remain firm, with official forecasts putting GDP expansion at 5–6% in 2025, above the global average of 3%. That would make the Philippines the region’s second-fastest growing economy.

“With or without a good President, the Philippine economy has historically managed to grow by at least 5%,” Balbieran told delegates. “As long as rallies remain peaceful, stability holds.”

He said long-term momentum is driven more by demographics, private sector dynamism and overseas remittances than by political leadership.

Net primary income from abroad continues to push gross national income above GDP, a rare feature among emerging economies.

Infrastructure investment, amendments to the Public Service Act opening sectors to foreign ownership, and resilient consumer spending are also fueling growth.

Balbieran added that systemic reforms, including fiscal modernization and digitalization, have helped the economy withstand political shocks.

“Roughly 85% of our economy is powered by the private sector,” he said. “Government dysfunction can slow things down, but it cannot derail the overall momentum.”

While corruption scandals weigh on sentiment and US-China trade frictions pose risks, the Philippines’ relatively low dependence on exports compared with regional peers has insulated it from severe trade disruptions.

Balbieran argued that underutilized domestic liquidity remains the bigger challenge.

“The number one problem of our economy today is not scarcity of capital, but surplus cash sitting idle in banks,” he said.

He forecast stronger results in 2026 as infrastructure disbursements accelerate and inflationary pressures ease.

“The global economy is slowing, but the Philippines is moving faster,” Balbieran said. “We remain insignificant enough to be shielded from global shocks, but significant enough to be Asia’s bright spot.”

Cebu Business News

Thousands of Vacancies Await Filipino Seafarers at Pasay Manning Fair

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September 22, 2025

Thousands of job opportunities for Filipino seafarers will be on offer at the Marino World Manning Expo and Conference (MWMEC) from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, organizers said.

The event comes as international shipping companies continue to recruit heavily from the Philippines, which supplies about 25% of the world’s 1.9 million maritime workers.

Industry forecasts point to a global shortfall of more than 90,000 officers by 2026, with Filipinos expected to account for a significant share of new hires.

Shipowners cite technical competence, English proficiency and adaptability as key reasons for the Philippines’ dominance in the sector, which generates billions of dollars in remittances annually.

This year’s expo, themed “Shaping the Future of Filipino Seafarers for Sustainable Shipping,” will bring together top manning agencies and shipping firms including Pacific Ocean Manning, North Sea Marine Services, Kestrel Shipping, Crossworld Marine Services, Jebsen PTC, Philippine Transmarine Carriers, Seaspan Philippines, Ionic Manila Manning, Senator Crewing Manila, Western Shipping Southeast Asia, CMA Ship Philippines, Century Maritime Agencies, Net Ship Management, Magsaysay Maritime Corporation, and Seabuoy Crewing Manila.

Thousands of vacancies will be available, ranging from entry-level ratings to senior officers.

Beyond recruitment, the three-day conference will tackle issues such as stricter environmental rules, the use of artificial intelligence and digital tools, and the retraining of crews for a decarbonising shipping industry.

Sessions will also cover retention and welfare, revisiting the proposed Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers and addressing onboard connectivity, mental health, and reintegration support.

Organizers said the adoption of Quanby Solutions’ facial recognition system will streamline registration, underscoring the expo’s push for efficiency and modernization.

The MWMEC is positioned as a key platform to sustain the Philippines’ role as the world’s largest supplier of maritime labor while preparing its workforce for industry disruption.

Cebu Business News

Cebu Provincial Board Vows Fair Review of ₱11.9B Budget

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September 22, 2025

Before a single page of the 2026 budget has even reached their desks, Cebu Vice Governor Glenn Soco has already promised that the Provincial Board will approach the ₱11.9-billion proposal with fairness and balance.

Soco, who presides over the Provincial Board, emphasized that the legislative body remains independent and will responsibly exercise its mandate as it reviews the annual appropriation ordinance.

He said in an interview on Monday, September 22, 2025, that Governor Pamela Baricuatro’s political affiliation will not influence how the Board handles the measure.

“I could not comment on the details of the budget as of the moment because the Sangguniang Panlalawigan is yet to receive the proposed annual budget for the Local Expenditure Program for 2026,” Soco said.

He added that the executive branch is expected to submit the proposal on or before October 16.

Soco declined to comment on whether the proposed budget, which is significantly lower than this year’s allocation, is feasible.

However, he assured that the Board would scrutinize the measure fairly, emphasizing that it is part of the legislative body’s mandate to deliberate on the budget responsibly.

The vice governor ran in the last elections alongside former governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

The Provincial Board is largely composed of Garcia’s allies under the local party One Cebu.

The executive department submitted the ₱11.9-billion budget proposal earlier, with Governor Baricuatro describing it as both “realistic” and aligned with the province’s actual financial capacity.

She said the 2026 spending plan is anchored on Cebu’s true revenue potential, contrasting it with the previous year’s ₱25-billion budget, which she described as “bloated” and unsustainable.

A significant portion of the proposed budget is earmarked for essential services.

Hospital upgrades will receive ₱1.3 billion, while infrastructure projects are allocated ₱1.45 billion. Baricuatro emphasized the balanced distribution between healthcare and infrastructure.

“More or less, our distribution of the budget for infrastructure and healthcare is even because we do not want to focus wholly on infrastructure while our hospitals are a mess,” she said.

The proposal also includes funds for disaster preparedness, such as relief warehouses in Carcar City and Danao City, and increased support for the Provincial Nutrition Council to address malnutrition.

The governor also plans to launch mobile kitchens within her first 100 days to combat hunger and food insecurity in municipalities with the highest rates of malnutrition.

Cebu Business News

Civic groups in Cebu launch petition drive seeking Romualdez’s removal

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September 11, 2025

A coalition of civic and sectoral organizations launched a signature campaign in Cebu City on Friday seeking the ouster of House Speaker Martin Romualdez, in a move organizers said would culminate in a solidarity rally this Sunday.

The petition, unveiled at a hotel gathering, alleges irregularities in the 2025 national budget and public works projects, and accuses the House of Representatives of lacking transparency under Romualdez’s leadership.

Organizers said the document will be circulated nationwide.

Among the issues cited were what they described as ₱241 billion in “blank line item” budget insertions, allegations from contractors of commissions demanded on flood-control projects, and questions over the allocation of funds for a government aid program.

The groups also noted pending complaints before the Ombudsman alleging graft and falsification.

Romualdez’s office and House officials were not immediately available for comment.

At least 12 organizations have confirmed their participation in the Cebu launch, including:

• 3-11 Movement (Isang Bayan, Isang Laban)
• Duterte Riders Team Cebu Inc.
• Cebu Citizen Guardians 625
• The Cebu Press Club
• Baruganan
• Cebu Muslim Businessmen Association (CEMBA)
• Knights Helping Hands Disaster Assistance Group
• Consolidated Council of United Vendors Association (CCUVA)
• Reforma Pilipinas
• Rider Solidarity Philippines (National Chapter)
• Inclusive Muslims Cebu Alliance
• Alliance of Inclusive Muslims Cebu

“This petition represents the collective voice of concerned citizens who demand accountability and integrity in government,” the organizers said in a statement. “We call on every Filipino who values transparency and good governance to join this united effort.”

CebuBusinessNews.ph

Globe marks 10 years of GDay with nationwide events, fan meet, major raffle prizes

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September 5, 2025

Globe Telecom is marking the 10th anniversary of its annual GDay celebration this September with a series of on-ground and digital activations, including fan events, raffle prizes, and exclusive rewards for its customers.

The program, which began in 2015 as a customer appreciation initiative, has grown into a nationwide campaign blending digital experiences with live events. Globe said this year’s edition will highlight everyday moments that “feel extraordinary,” while offering larger rewards through the GlobeOne app.

In key cities such as Cebu, Davao, Bacolod, Naga, Tuguegarao and Cagayan de Oro, Globe will set up pop-up booths in malls and neighborhood venues featuring partner promotions, giveaways, and brand experiences.

Online, GlobeOne users will receive daily surprise gifts and access to exclusive vouchers, lifestyle perks and raffle entries. The centerpiece event, the GDay BINI Fan Meet, will be held on Sept. 13 at the Samsung Performing Arts Theatre in Manila, where more than 1,500 fans will see performances by the P-pop group.

The company also launched its biggest “G Raffle Rush,” running from Sept. 1 to Oct. 31, with prizes ranging from a ₱50,000 grocery spree and ₱100,000 in GCash credits to a trip to Japan, a luxury staycation in Cebu, and flagship smartphones. The grand prize includes a BYD Atto 3 electric vehicle with charging credits, alongside two properties: a condominium unit in Pasig and a house-and-lot in Cavite.

Globe said customers can join the raffle through free entries on the GlobeOne app or by redeeming Globe Rewards points.

CebuBusinessNews.ph

Business, civic groups demand end to corruption in Philippine public works, urge reform in Congress

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September 4, 2025

At least 20 of the Philippines’ largest business, civic and professional groups on Thursday issued a joint manifesto condemning what they described as “shameful, unabated, continuing, and excessive” corruption in government infrastructure projects, vowing to hold officials and contractors accountable.

The coalition singled out the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), local government units and the Commission on Audit, accusing officials of engaging in systematic plunder of public funds. “Corruption in infrastructure projects is a crime against the people, especially the poor who continue to live in dire poverty,” the groups said.

The statement also blasted Congress for alleged involvement in overpriced projects, “ghost” roads and bridges, questionable budget insertions, and the funneling of contracts to companies tied to lawmakers’ families. “It is time to clean the ranks of Congress,” the groups said, calling for new leadership with integrity and the will to end corruption.

The organizations pledged to identify and expose officials implicated in graft, mount legal action against them and their private-sector accomplices, and blacklist contractors found colluding with politicians. They also committed to promote the Integrity Pledge — a business sector initiative that bars bribery — and to cooperate with banks and the Anti-Money Laundering Council in tracing hidden wealth.

Signatories to the manifesto include the Management Association of the Philippines, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Employers Confederation of the Philippines, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines, and other national and regional groups.

“Justice for the Filipino people, especially the poor, can only be achieved by successfully punishing the corrupt. Enough is enough,” the groups said in their closing statement.

CebuBusinessNews.ph

SM Foundation Turns Over Upgraded Health Facilities in Cebu

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September 3, 2025