Team Philippines keeps grasping for a chance at snatching more gold medals in Asian Youth Games

October 29, 2025 | 7:38 pm

MANAMA — Lifter Jhodie Peralta settled for a silver and a bronze while pug Leo Mhar Lobrido pocketed a bronze as the Philippines kept grasping for straws for a last-gasp chance at snatching more gold medals in the 3^rd Asian Youth Games at the Exhibition World Bahrain here.

Ms. Peralta came a breath away from snaring two golds but fell short in the end and consoled herself with a silver in snatch with an 87-kilogram (kg) lift and a bronze in clean and jerk where she had a 100 kg in the girls’ 53 kg class.

Both mints went to North Korean Pak Hae Yon, who had an 88 kg in snatch and 107 kg in clean and jerk.

“She (Ms. Pak) beat me by only one kilogram,” said Ms. Peralta, a triple gold winner in the World Championships in Lima, Peru last May.

For a few minutes though Ms. Peralta owned the new meet record with her clean and jerk lift.

But it was good when it lasted as, on their third and final lifts, Vietnam’s Y Lien had a 106 kg and Ms. Pak whipped up a 107 kg that denied the Zamboanga City native from going home with either the gold or the silver.

For Mr. Lobrido, he succumbed to the taller, longer Abdugani Yorkinjonov of Uzbekistan via unanimous decision in their boys’ 46 kg bout and settled for bronze.

“I was able to hit him even though I’m smaller, but the judges saw it differently,” said the Philippines’ flag-bearer.

In all, the Philippines, which was once at fifth a few days ago, improved to six golds, seven silvers and eight bronzes, which was good for ninth.

But with two days to go before this quadrennial meet draws to a close, the Filipinos could still capture some medals, possibly mints, in wrestling, swimming and jiu-jitsu, a sport that had produced world champions in the past.

“We’re still hoping we could win some more gold medals,” said Philippine chef-de-mission Ramon Suzara.

Alas Pilipinas was aiming to add a bronze in girls’ volleyball as it was battling Southeast Asian rival Thailand as of this writing at the ISA Sports City.

There were also heartbreakers in cycling, table tennis and badminton where Filipinos fell like dominoes.

Cyclist CJ Cabreros wound up 12^th while countrymen Joelian Abdul Hamid and Carl Laurence Espinos did not finish in the boys’ road race at the NBH loop. — Joey Villar

Apple poised for iPhone sales boost on strong Pro demand

October 29, 2025 | 6:27 pm

Apple-Cook — Apple CEO Tim Cook celebrates the arrival of the latest generation of the iPhone at Apple Fifth Avenue in New York. — APPLE.COM NEWSROOM

Apple’s quarterly results on Thursday are expected to show the company can spark a strong iPhone upgrade cycle even without the flashy artificial intelligence tools it has been slow to release, a delay that has dulled its appeal on Wall Street.

The consumer tech giant’s new iPhone 17 lineup that launched on September 19 has drawn strong early demand in crucial markets, including the US and China, as a sharper display, larger storage options and an upgraded processor attract buyers.

While the July–September period captured only a few days of the new iPhone sales, the trend bodes well for the holiday quarter – Apple’s most lucrative as many consumers upgrade their devices then.

The numbers have also eased some fears that the company may fall behind rivals, such as Samsung Electronics which have been quicker to refresh their devices with AI features.

Apple shares clocked their best quarterly gain in more than two years in the July-September period, rising 24%. The iPhone maker also became just the third company to hit $4 trillion in market value on Tuesday, but its stock still trails other members of “Magnificent Seven” for the year, for being an AI laggard.

“Apple is riding high into earnings with better-than-expected iPhone 17 sales in both the US and China, buoying it back to top-smartphone-provider status,” eMarketer analyst Jacob Bourne said. “Yet the battle is far from won as questions about its AI standing linger.”

Research firm Counterpoint estimated iPhone 17 sales in the first 10 days were 14% higher than those of the previous series in the US and China, with interest skewed toward higher-margin iPhone Pro devices.

The new lineup also lifted Apple’s September-quarter shipments in China, where it faces intense competition from Xiaomi and Huawei, a separate IDC report showed.

But demand for the slender iPhone 17 Air has been tepid due to its $1,000 price and single-lens camera. Pre-orders in China also began only in mid-October, much later than in the US, as carriers awaited approval to support the eSIM-only device.

Overall, Wall Street estimates that iPhone sales rose 8.6% to $50 billion, a record for the July-September period, which marks Apple’s fiscal fourth quarter, according LSEG-compiled data.

Total revenue likely rose 7.6% to $102.17 billion, while profit would total $1.77 per share.

The company, which has been moving more US-bound iPhone production to India to offset tariff impacts, said in July it expects about $1.1 billion in costs from the duties in the period.

Some analysts said investors would also look for clarity on its AI plans after reports on high-profile departures, though Apple has delayed the rollout of its AI-powered Siri to 2026.

“They’re clearly challenged. They have not come up with any compelling offerings and they don’t seem to have a strategy that’s compelling enough to keep a lot of very high-end AI talent working there,” said Bob O’Donnell, president at TECHnalysis Research. — Reuters

Ex-Philippines president Duterte appeals ICC jurisdiction ruling, demands release

October 29, 2025 | 6:05 pm

FPPRD Duterte-ICC — FORMER PRESIDENT RODRIGO R. DUTERTE — INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT / COUR PÉNALE INTERNATIONALE

THE HAGUE — Rodrigo Duterte, the former president of the Philippines, has appealed last week’s decision by the International Criminal Court to continue its case against him and is seeking his release, court documents showed on Wednesday.

Last week, ICC judges ruled that the court had jurisdiction over Mr. Duterte’s case despite his team’s contention that the court did not open a full-fledged investigation into alleged crimes in the Philippines until after the country had withdrawn from the ICC in 2019.

Mr. Duterte, president from 2016 to 2022, was arrested and taken to The Hague in March on an arrest warrant that linked him to murders committed during his war on drugs in the Philippines. During that campaign, thousands of alleged narcotics peddlers and users were killed. Mr. Duterte and his lawyers maintain his arrest was unlawful.

In their notice of appeal, Mr. Duterte’s lawyers asked the court to reverse a lower panel’s decision to continue the case and find there is no legal basis for it. They also want the court to order Mr. Duterte’s immediate and unconditional release. The defense team has also filed another motion to stop the Mr. Duterte case because they said the 80-year-old is unfit to stand trial due to a cognitive decline. A decision on how Mr. Duterte’s health will affect the proceedings is not expected until mid-November. — Reuters

Trump says Gaza ceasefire holds, Israel has right to hit back if attacked

October 29, 2025 | 5:58 pm

ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS-GAZA — A view shows houses and buildings destroyed by Israeli strikes in Gaza City, Oct. 10, 2023. — REUTERS

ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE/JERUSALEM — US President Donald J. Trump said on Wednesday that a US-backed ceasefire in Gaza was not at risk after Israel launched airstrikes in the enclave, which killed 26 people in response to the killing of an Israeli soldier.

Israeli planes struck in Gaza on Tuesday after Israel accused the militant group Hamas of violating the ceasefire, the latest violence in the three-week-old deal brokered by Mr. Trump.

Gazan health authorities said the strikes killed at least 26 people, including five in a house hit in the Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, four in a building in Gaza City’s Sabra neighborhood, and five in a car in Khan Younis.

“As I understand it, they took out an Israeli soldier,” Mr. Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. “So the Israelis hit back, and they should hit back. When that happens, they should hit back,” he added.

The Israeli military confirmed the soldier’s death on Wednesday.

“Nothing is going to jeopardize” the ceasefire, Mr. Trump said. “You have to understand Hamas is a very small part of peace in the Middle East, and they have to behave.”

The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the strikes, which followed a statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office saying he had ordered immediate “powerful attacks.”

An Israeli military official said Hamas had violated the ceasefire by carrying out an attack against Israeli forces who were stationed within the so-called “yellow line,” the deployment line agreed upon in the ceasefire.

The US-backed ceasefire agreement went into effect on Oct. 10, halting two years of war triggered by deadly Hamas-led attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

Both sides have accused each other of ceasefire violations.

“If they (Hamas) are good, they are going to be happy and if they are not good, they are going to be terminated, their lives will be terminated,” Mr. Trump said.

“Nobody knows what happened to the Israeli soldier but they say it was sniper fire. And it was retribution for that, and I think they have a right to do that.”

Hamas denied responsibility for the attack on Israeli forces in Rafah, in southern Gaza and said in a statement that it remained committed to the ceasefire deal. — Reuters

China says it ‘absolutely will not’ rule out use of force over Taiwan

October 29, 2025 | 5:58 pm

China-Taiwan-flags — A NAVY miniature is seen in front of displayed Chinese and Taiwanese flags in this illustration taken April 11, 2023. — REUTERS

BEIJING/TAIPEI — China “absolutely will not” rule out using force over Taiwan, a government spokesperson said on Wednesday, striking a much tougher tone than a series of articles in state media this week that pledged benign rule if the island comes over to Beijing.

China, which views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, has never renounced use of force to “reunify” with the island.

But the policy is not often directly voiced in public and did not appear in three Xinhua news agency commentaries this week about Taiwan, one of which mapped out how “patriots” could rule the island after “reunification” and promised Taiwan’s existing social system and way of life would be respected.

Peng Qing’en, a spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, told a regular news conference in Beijing that peaceful “reunification” under the “one country, two systems” model is the fundamental approach to “resolving the Taiwan issue.”

“We are willing to create ample space for peaceful reunification and will spare no effort to pursue this prospect with the utmost sincerity,” he said.

“However, we absolutely will not renounce the use of force and reserve the option to take all necessary measures.”

China’s top official in charge of Taiwan policy, the ruling Communist Party’s fourth ranked leader Wang Huning, did not mention force in a key policy speech on Saturday, that instead focused on how both sides would benefit from “reunification.”

China’s renewed push on an autonomy model for Taiwan, which no major Taiwanese political party supports and the government in Taipei has repeatedly denounced, comes ahead of a meeting on Thursday between US President Donald J. Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Mr. Trump told reporters on Wednesday he did not know whether he would even discuss Taiwan with Mr. Xi.

Taiwan’s government rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims.

Speaking earlier on Wednesday in Taipei, Taiwan National Security Bureau Director-General Tsai Ming-yen said China’s “patriots” model was what Beijing used in Hong Kong and Macau and had no market in Taiwan.

“The aim is to belittle Taiwan’s international standing, and Hong Kong-ify and Macau-ify Taiwan, to achieve the political objective of eliminating Taiwan’s sovereignty, which the Chinese Communist Party seeks to do,” he said.

“I think the Chinese communists have no way to enact the application of the Macau or Hong Kong model in Taiwan.”

In 2021, Hong Kong, which returned to Chinese rule from Britain in 1997, held its first “patriots-only” election with candidates vetted as loyal to Beijing. Turnout hit a record low.

Taiwan held its first direct presidential election in 1996, and democracy on the island is a noisy and vibrant affair where candidates are free to espouse any point of view, including being pro-independence or pro-Beijing.

China’s government refuses to talk to Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, saying he is a “separatist.” — Reuters

Trump says US law blocks bid for a third presidential term

October 29, 2025 | 5:58 pm

WASHINGTON — US President Donald J. Trump appeared to close the door on seeking a third term in office, acknowledging that the Constitution bars him from running again after his current term ends in January 2029.

“If you read it, it’s pretty clear — I’m not allowed to run. It’s too bad,” Mr. Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Wednesday en route to South Korea, signaling a shift from earlier comments in which he declined to definitively rule out another bid.

The 22^nd Amendment to the US Constitution bars anyone from being elected to the US presidency a third time, but Mr. Trump has publicly toyed with the idea since he won a second term in November.

US House Speaker Mike Johnson said on Tuesday that he had discussed the issue with Mr. Trump and concluded there was no viable path to amend the Constitution in time to allow a third term. “It’s been a great run,” Mr. Johnson said. “But I think the president knows, and he and I have talked about, the constrictions of the Constitution.”

Mr. Johnson noted that the amendment process would require two-thirds approval in Congress and ratification by three-fourths of the states, a process he estimated could take a decade. “I don’t see the path for that,” he added.

Mr. Trump’s allies, including former strategist Steve Bannon, have floated legal theories challenging the two-term limit established by the 22^nd Amendment.

Mr. Trump has referenced the idea at rallies and sells “Trump 2028” merchandise, though Mr. Johnson characterized it as political theater. “He has a good time with that, trolling the Democrats whose hair is on fire about the very prospect,” Mr. Johnson said.

Mr. Trump, 79, also pointed earlier this week to Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as potential Republican contenders for the 2028 election. If he were to run again, Mr. Trump would be 82, making him the oldest president in US history. — Reuters

India, EU need more talks on steel, autos, carbon levy for trade deal

October 29, 2025 | 5:57 pm

NEW DELHI — India and the European Union (EU) agreed that issues related to steel, automobiles, carbon levies and other EU regulations require further discussions due to higher sensitivities, New Delhi said in a statement on Wednesday.

India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal held talks with the European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic in Brussels during his Oct. 26-28 visit, as both sides continued efforts to finalize a long-pending free trade agreement (FTA), the statement said.

The two sides reaffirmed their shared goal of concluding the FTA by the end of 2025, following the direction from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen earlier this year.

Negotiations, relaunched in 2022, have accelerated since US President Donald J. Trump’s re-election, with Brussels speeding up trade pacts with Mexico and the South American Mercosur countries and stepping up talks with India, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates.

“We are working towards a balanced and equitable agreement that promotes transparent and predictable trade frameworks,” Mr. Goyal said, adding that the discussions were “productive and meaningful.”

The EU is India’s biggest trading partner in goods, with bilateral trade hitting $137.5 billion in the 2023/24 fiscal year, up nearly 90% over the past decade.

Both sides explored “possible landing zones” on outstanding issues and agreed to finalize non-sensitive industrial tariff lines.

India also reiterated the need for preferential treatment for labor-intensive sectors such as textiles and leather, while flagging concerns over the EU’s carbon levy, known as the border adjustment mechanism, and new regulatory measures.

Mr. Sefcovic said the talks reflected the “depth of political trust” between India and the EU and that both sides were “committed to finding fair solutions that strengthen trade and economic security.”

To advance the discussions, a technical team from the EU’s Directorate-General for Trade will visit India next week to work on potential solutions identified during the Brussels meetings, the statement said. — Reuters

Vista Land celebrates four consecutive years of corporate governance recognition

October 29, 2025 | 5:30 pm

Vista Land & Lifescapes, Inc., one of the country’s leading integrated property developers, proudly received two Golden Arrows at the ASEAN Corporate Governance Scorecard (ACGS) Golden Arrow Recognition Awards held recently at Okada Manila. The prestigious recognition, conferred by the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD), underscores Vista Land’s continued commitment to upholding the highest standards of corporate governance. This marks the Company’s fourth consecutive year of being recognized by the ACGS. The award was received on behalf of the company by Chief Financial Officer Brian Edang.

Vista Land Chairman Manuel B. Villar Jr. expressed pride in the company’s recognition, saying, “This recognition affirms Vista Land’s steadfast dedication to integrity, transparency, and accountability. For us, good governance is at the core of sustainable growth — it builds trust, strengthens relationships, and ensures that our success benefits not only our shareholders but also our communities.”

The Golden Arrow is a symbol of excellence in corporate governance and is awarded to publicly listed companies that have attained high scores in the ASEAN Corporate Governance Scorecard (ACGS). The ACGS evaluates companies based on their performance in key areas such as the protection of shareholder rights, sustainability and resilience, stakeholder relations, transparency and accountability, and board leadership and oversight.

Vista Land’s recognition underscores its commitment to continuous improvement, good governance, and transparency in all aspects of its operations. The company ensures that its growth strategies align with sustainable and responsible business practices, emphasizing the creation of long-term value for its stakeholders. Among the initiatives that contributed to this achievement are the strengthening of sustainability programs and integration of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles across its operations; timely and transparent disclosures through its investor relations channels; board and management development programs promoting accountability and ethical leadership; and community-focused projects that champion sustainable living, green developments, and livelihood opportunities.

Vista Land President and CEO Manuel Paolo A. Villar added, “We are honored to receive two Golden Arrows, a testament to our team’s hard work and commitment to excellence. This milestone inspires us to continuously elevate our governance practices, enhance transparency, and pursue innovation that drives long-term, inclusive progress.”

Vista Land remains dedicated to upholding the highest standards of corporate governance as it continues to expand and develop sustainable communities across the Philippines.

Spotlight is BusinessWorld’s sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with BusinessWorld’s audience by publishing their stories on the BusinessWorld Web site. For more information, send an email to online@bworldonline.com.

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Smart introduces new premium plan for power users

October 29, 2025 | 3:27 pm

Smart Communications, Inc., through its Smart Infinity premium postpaid brand has launched a new top tier plan. Called the Infinity Plus Plan 9500, the new flagship plan is designed for professionals and business executives who need not just connectivity, but flexibility as well. It is now available in select Smart Stores and Smart Infinity Relationship Managers.

The Infinity Plus Plan 9500 comes with one primary line and two supplementary lines bundled under a single account. Apart from the multi-line account, maximum connectivity is assured with unlimited data, calls, and text for the primary line plus 2GB of international roaming data. There’s also P4,500 worth of shared consumables for the main and secondary lines.

Plan subscribers will get the full Infinity Plus VIP treatment with the included complimentary airport lounge access, worldwide concierge services for dining and travel plus access to Smart Rewards.

For peace of mind and the ultimate in customer service, plan subscribers have access to a dedicated Relationship Manager which is available through a 24/7 hotline. Priority service is also assured at Smart Stores. — EGG

Finding one’s unique selling point

October 29, 2025 | 3:21 pm

Nascent Technologies Corp. is developing a sodium-ion-based starter battery that is lighter, longer-lasting, and more environmentally friendly than traditional lead-acid car batteries.

Interview by Edg Adrian Eva
Video editing by Jayson Mariñas

Philippines, Canada to sign troop access pact

October 29, 2025 | 2:58 pm

Balikatan-26496 — PHILIPPINESTAR/WALTER BOLLOZOS

By Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio, Reporter

The Philippines and Canada will sign a defense pact later this week granting greater access for troops in each other’s territories, according to Manila’s Defense department, as it seeks to deepen security ties with its allies amid lingering South China Sea tensions.

Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. and Canadian Defense Minister David Joseph McGuinty will sign the status of visiting forces agreement (SOVFA) in Manila on Sunday, forging a deal that began negotiations earlier this year to enhance military cooperation between the two countries.

“The SOVFA will then be submitted for presidential ratification,” the Department of National Defense said in a statement on Wednesday.

The visiting forces deal between the Philippines and Canada aims to reinforce their 2024 defense cooperation pact and improve interoperability by establishing a framework for operating and training troops within each other’s territories, the Canadian government said in a March statement.

Ottawa has consistently backed Manila’s stake in the South China Sea, one of the world’s most contested waterways, where tensions between the Philippines and China continue to simmer due to overlapping claims.

Beijing continues to lay its sovereignty over the energy-rich waters despite a 2016 ruling by a United Nations-backed court that voided its claims.

Philippine and Chinese forces have repeatedly sparred over disputed maritime features, and both have traded accusations of escalating tensions following incidents involving water cannon blasts and sideswipes between vessels.

The Southeast Asian nation has stepped up efforts to push back against China’s sweeping sea claims by expanding its web of alliances beyond the US, its long-standing treaty ally. It has forged visiting forces agreements with Australia, and most recently, New Zealand, alongside a similar deal with Japan.

Talks for a visiting forces pact with France are also under way.

ACEN RES clinches third consecutive gold at Stevie® International Business Awards in Lisbon

October 29, 2025 | 2:45 pm

ACEN Renewable Energy Solutions (ACEN RES), the Ayala group’s retail electricity unit, clinched its third consecutive gold award at the 2025 Stevie International Business Awards, breaking new ground as the first-ever winner of the Omni-Channel Marketing Strategy of the Year, beating nominations from all over the world. ACEN RES was the lone electricity retailer from the Philippines to claim such distinction this year, in an awards ceremony held recently in Lisbon, Portugal.

Judges lauded the campaign’s insightful messaging, engaging events, and impressive growth, describing it as a standout achievement in the field. By blending storytelling, targeted digital outreach, and well-crafted events, ACEN RES set a new standard for marketing in the renewable energy sector.

The Stevie® International Awards also recognized ACEN RES RESURGENCE for the categories Corporate Event and B2B Event, for demonstrating how sustainability can drive profitability and growth, offering clear, actionable insights to business leaders in the Philippines. It challenged the notion that sustainability is a liability, but instead showing how it can drive operational efficiency and business expansion.

ACEN’s Omni-Channel Marketing Strategy also won in the Small-Budget Marketing Campaign of the Year category, highlighting how ACEN RES achieved extraordinary results with minimal resources. Judges praised the strategy’s clarity and focus, noting the campaign’s concrete and measurable impact.

Known as the “Oscars of the business world,” the Stevie® Awards celebrate excellence in marketing, innovation, customer service, and corporate communications.

“It is our customers who inspire us to do better; we are honored by this recognition and reinforces our direction on purposeful omnichannel communications and meaningful customer experiences,” said Tony Valdez, Senior Vice President for Market Transformation and Retail, who received the award in behalf of ACEN RES.

“Representing the Philippines on this global stage is a privilege, as is being part of a movement to do good,” he added.

In 2023, ACEN RES won the Gold Stevie® for New Product or Service Introduction of the Year, and in 2024 for Brand Experience of the Year. ACEN RES was also cited by the Agora Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Marketing Communications in 2024.

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