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Former Ortigas Land executive takes over Megaworld’s growing mall business ------- Megaworld Corp. has tapped former Ortigas Land executive Javier Hernandez to lead its 27 lifestyle malls nationwide, succeeding Graham Coates after eight years at the helm. READ: insiderph.com/former-ortigas…

PLDT appoints PwC as SGV ends 24-year audit relationship ------ PLDT Inc. has appointed PwC Philippines as its new external auditor after SyCip Gorres Velayo & Co. (SGV) resigned, ending a 24-year relationship with the Manuel V. Pangilinan-led telecommunications giant. READ: insiderph.com/pldt-appoints-…

Petron keeps P5.4B profit in nine months despite soaring oil costs ------- Despite external pressures, our commitment to help ensure fuel security, meet the needs of our customers, and fulfill our responsibility as the nation’s energy backbone remains strong and unwavering,” Petron chair and CEO Ramon S. Ang said. READ: insiderph.com/petron-keeps-p…

Swift Foods halts chicken production at last remaining farm as losses mount -------- Swift Foods is suspending chicken-growing operations at its last remaining facility in Palawan. The company cited continued losses and the threat of El Niño but will keep its chicken processing operations running. Its financial decline has been steep, with P2.69 billion in accumulated losses and a stock market value of just P90 million. READ: insiderph.com/swift-foods-ha…

Apple called the DepEd procurement its biggest education deal ever for Macs. Angara said the procurement directly addresses a long-running problem in basic education: teachers often using personal devices or outdated equipment for lesson planning, reporting, and classroom work. READ: insiderph.com/deped-secures-…

BREAKING: Tubig Pilipinas seeks P1.8B in fresh capital ------ Tubig Pilipinas Holdings Inc. has filed an application with the Securities and Exchange Commission to raise as much as P1.82 billion through a new share offering. The company plans to sell up to 18.055 billion shares, including an overallotment option, at P0.10 to P0.101 apiece. READ: insiderph.com/tubig-pilipina…

The October performance marked the hotel's highest monthly revenue since opening in March 2026, strengthening DoubleDragon's push to expand its Philippine-developed hospitality brand internationally. READ: insiderph.com/hotel101-madri…

INSIDER INFO: Ramon Alikpala to succeed Ramoncito Fernandez at Maynilad ----- Tycoon Manuel V. Pangilinan-led Maynilad Water Services is set for a leadership change, with former MWSS chairman Ramon “Dondi” Alikpala expected to replace longtime CEO Ramoncito “Mon” Fernandez. If Alikpala’s name sounds familiar, there’s a good reason. He chaired the MWSS when it rejected Maynilad’s proposed rate increase in 2013, and now he’s poised to run the very company he once regulated as it prepares for the impact of El Niño. READ: insiderph.com/insider-info-r…

DigiPlus nine-month profit dips 12% as gambling revenue slows -------- DigiPlus Interactive Corp., the company behind BingoPlus and ArenaPlus, saw its earnings soften in the first nine months of 2026 as weaker gaming revenues weighed on profitability, although improving margins and a growing player base offered some encouraging signs. READ: insiderph.com/digiplus-nine-…

Leni Robredo inspires OFW turned karaoke tycoon to finish college before 50 -------- Leni Robredo’s 2022 presidential campaign changed more than Abby Agwas Watabe’s political views. After years of putting her nieces and nephews through school while building a successful business in Japan, the Filipina was inspired by Robredo to finally pursue an education of her own. insiderph.com/leni-robredo-i…:

From Jollibee to Japan’s karaoke empire: The remarkable rise of Abby Watabe ------- Abby Watabe never imagined she would help build a Japanese karaoke empire with hundreds of outlets and 13,000 employees. The Filipina from Tarlac talks about the business deals that fueled its growth, keeping workers employed through the pandemic and finally earning her own college degree after putting her nieces and nephews through school. She also has strong views about Filipino pride, giving back and why success should never make anyone forget where they came from. READ: insiderph.com/from-jollibee-…

Around 500 delegates and guests attended the 20th ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) and 13th ADMM-Plus, bringing together representatives from 11 ASEAN member states and eight dialogue partners. READ: insiderph.com/megaworlds-mac…

Nilo Divina’s Aurora earns second straight Michelin Guide recognition ------- Top corporate lawyer Nilo Divina’s restaurant Aurora has made the Michelin Guide for a second consecutive year, giving his growing dining business another boost just three years after its debut. READ: insiderph.com/nilo-divinas-a…

The scariest thing this Halloween? Probably the situation the Philippine economy finds itself in. @shawnyao reports...

Aboitiz Equity Ventures 9-month profit rises to P17.8B as power, banking lead ------ Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. (AEV) is facing a tougher earnings environment, with third-quarter profit plunging 54 percent even as stronger banking and power businesses kept its nine-month results in positive territory. The Aboitiz-led conglomerate earned P4.1 billion from July to September, down from P8.9 billion a year earlier, while nine-month profit edged up just 2 percent to P17.8 billion.

Semirara Q3 profit jumps 66% as power gains offset weaker coal business ----- Semirara Mining and Power Corp. (SMPC) is leaning on its electricity business to sustain earnings as weaker coal operations and uncertainty over the future of its flagship mine weigh on the Consunji-led energy group. Third-quarter net income jumped 66 percent to P2.4 billion as higher electricity prices and stronger power generation more than offset losses from its coal business.

DoubleDragon’s global hotel bet pays off as profit triples to P3.9B ------- DoubleDragon Corp.’s overseas hotel expansion is reshaping its business, with foreign-currency revenues accounting for the majority of quarterly core revenues for the first time as earnings surged in 2026. READ: insiderph.com/doubledragons-…

Chef Josh Boutwood’s Helm remains the Philippines’ only two-Michelin-star restaurant, retaining its prestigious distinction at a Michelin Guide ceremony attended by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Nine other restaurants earned one Michelin star, including Toyo Eatery, Gallery by Chele, Hapag, Inato, Celera, Asador Alfonso, Linamnam, Kasa Palma and FLOW, which received its first star. Meanwhile, Aurora, Antonio’s, Blackbird and other dining spots made the Michelin-selected list, showcasing the growing diversity of the Philippine food scene. 📸: Vanessa Hidalgo

NGCP vice chair Henry Sy Jr. said the company’s Project Airbag will deploy battery energy storage systems that can store available electricity and release it when the grid is under pressure, including during short-duration shortages, disturbances and evening peak periods. READ: insiderph.com/ngcp-battery-s…

Another Villar mall on the block as Vista Land explores asset sales ------ Tycoon Manuel Villar Jr.’s Vista Land & Lifescapes Inc. said it is evaluating “strategic alternatives” in its real estate portfolio after the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) sought clarification on reports that another company-owned mall was up for sale. READ: insiderph.com/another-villar…