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President Marcos Calls On HSBC To Help investors See Economic Opportunities In The Philippines

November 27, 2025November 19, 2025carlocarrasco

As the signs are clear that economic growth of the Philippines has weakened, President Marcos called on financial giant HSBC to help foreign investors realize the economic opportunities in the country, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of the PNA. Some parts in boldface…

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has called on international bank HSBC to help more foreign investors see the huge economic opportunities the Philippines has to offer.

“Together let’s build a more progressive Philippine economy, where people can access reliable financial services, obtain meaningful opportunities, and live more dignified, comfortable lives,” he said in a speech at HSBC’s 150th year anniversary gala in Taguig City on Tuesday night.

“Let us continue creating an environment where investors, stakeholders, and most importantly, our citizens see the Philippines as a nation of promise,” he added.

He acknowledged the foreign bank’s support for government initiatives, including its participation in recent bond issuances such as the SEC-registered USD3.3 billion-equivalent dual currency global bond that aims to ensure the continuation of vital government programs.

“These programs, whether on infrastructure, education, or social protection, directly benefit our people, especially those who rely on stable public services,” he said.

He also cited HSBC’s strong collaboration with relevant economic agencies and its contribution to increasing the country’s exposure to foreign investors.

From its first branch in Binondo in 1875, Marcos said HSBC’s growing presence in the Philippines serves as a vote of confidence in the future of the Philippines.

On the part of the government, he said the administration continues to strengthen its financial systems to protect depositors.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, he added, is refining capital, liquidity, and governance standards to ensure that banks are resilient.

The country, he said, also adopts reforms such as the Basel III New Standardized Approach, the National Risk Assessment, and clearer guidelines for the disqualification of erring officers.

“Today, as HSBC adapts to a rapidly changing economy, we are confident that the bank will remain true to its commitment to making its services more inclusive, more secure, and accessible to Filipinos,” the chief executive said.

HSBC, the leading international bank in the country, serves 41 million clients across 57 markets, with over USD3 trillion in assets.

In his remarks, HSBC Interim Group Chairman Brendan Nelson said the firm has “strong” confidence in the Philippines and is ready to work with the country to sustain its growth momentum.

He said HSBC is “determined to continue growing” in the Philippines as he noted its strategic position in Southeast Asia, one of the regions, he noted, is set to benefit most from the “configured globalized world.”

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think economic growth of the Philippines will get stronger in 2026? Do you think foreign investors will take a new look at the Philippines for economic opportunities soon?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 111

November 26, 2025November 18, 2025carlocarrasco

Welcome back my readers, YouTube viewers and all others who followed this series of articles focused on YouTube videos worth watching. Have you been searching for something fun or interesting to watch on YouTube? Do you feel bored right now and you crave for something to see on the world’s most popular online video destination?

I recommend you check out the following videos I found.

#1 Ashleigh Burton Reacts To Full Metal Jacket – A few months ago, my YouTube series post included several reaction videos of Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket. Recently Ashleigh Burton posted her own Full Metal Jacket reaction video and I can say that it is very enjoyable to watch as the YouTuber (who is a jolly person) had her own bouts of laugh-out-loud moments reacting to it. Watch Ashleigh Burton’s video below.

#2 Ghost in the Shell’s Relevance Analyzed – I was still in college the first time I saw the 1995 anime feature film Ghost in the Shell on home video. While I enjoyed the action and the high-quality visuals (2D animation mixed with computer-generated graphics), I was unable to grasp the story and its many philosophical messages within. To really enjoy it and understand Masamune Shirow’s concepts, watching Ghost in the Shell should be done with patience and the right mindset. Fortunately, a YouTuber took the time to replay the anime feature film and paid close attention to the many details within. Indeed, Ghost in the Shell is more relevant than ever today as it tackled hacking, cybersecurity, identity and artificial intelligence early on. To find out more, watch the video below.

#3 Yakisoba In Japan – You like Yakisoba? Yakisoba is a Japanese noodle stir-fried dish and it first appeared in food stalls in Japan about a century ago. There are lots of places in Japan that offer yakisoba to customers and there are also variants of it depending on where you find it. In the city of Kobe (the same city that got ravaged by a massive earthquake in the mid-1990s) is a Yakisoba shop that serves a lot of customers each day. That means something must be really good with the yakisoba. Watch and learn from the video below.

#4 Do You Trust James Gunn? – I never bothered to watch James Gunn’s Superman movie this year. In fact, when it was announced that Gunn and his partner would start a whole new line of DC Comics superhero movie projects under the Warner Bros. banner a few years ago, I was never excited nor interested. I saw Gunn’s work in Guardians of the Galaxy (he wrote and directed it) and the 2004 Dawn of the Dead remake (he wrote it) and neither film was worth replaying. I’m not saying Gunn is a bad filmmaker, I just don’t find his work compelling enough and box office numbers don’t change a thing. He also directed The Suicide Squad which ended up as a commercial disappointment. When it comes to cinematic superhero works, there are reasons why long-time superhero fans and comic book readers don’t trust Gunn which you can learn from the videos below.

#5 Austria Pushes Back Against Mass Migration – Right from the top, Austria made decisive moves to push back against the flow of mass migration and made it clear they want to preserve their culture and prioritize their citizens. It has been over ten years since Germany – under Angela Merkel – committed a huge blunder by opening its borders to so many people from the Middle East and Africa which affected other European nations negatively. It is obvious that the high amount of so-called refugees already in Europe collectively have no desire to assimilate with the culture and norms of the nations they entered, and they want more social benefits and more money at the expense of the citizens. Austria itself had enough and you can find out how they pushed back against mass migration by watching the video below.

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Philippines At Risk Of Falling Behind Southeast Asian Neighbors Economically

November 26, 2025November 19, 2025carlocarrasco

The 3^rd quarter growth of only 4% the Philippines achieved has been on people’s minds a lot lately. As such, the country is at risk of falling behind its neighbors in Southeast Asia in terms of economic growth and gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, according to a BusinessWorld news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of BusinessWorld. Some parts in boldface…

The Philippine economy is at risk of further falling behind its Southeast Asian neighbors, an economist said, noting it may take two years to catch up with Vietnam and up to 70 years to catch up with Singapore.

“(T)he Philippines could find itself lagging behind if alleged public spending issues continue to divert attention and resources away from the structural reforms needed to accelerate economic development,” Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Lead Economist Emilio S. Neri, Jr. said in a commentary on Wednesday.

In the third quarter, Philippine gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 4%, its slowest pace in over four years amid slower household and public infrastructure spending as the flood control scandal dampened investor and con-sumer sentiment.

In the nine months to September, GDP growth averaged 5%, putting the government’s 5.5%-6.5% full-year growth target further out of reach.

“The Philippine economy is growing, but not enough to close the economic gap with other countries,” Mr. Neri said.

He noted the Philippine GDP per capita is lower compared with other economies in the region. Citing International Monetary Fund (IMF) data, he said the Philippines’ GDP per capita stood at $4,078 in 2024.

“At the current growth rate, it would take the Philippines two years to catch up with the GDP per capita of Vietnam, 4 years with Indonesia, 14 years with Thailand, 26 years with Malaysia, and 70 years with Singapore, assuming their incomes remain stagnant. In reality, their GDP per capita continues to grow, which means the gap could persist or even widen,” Mr. Neri said.

The Philippines lagged behind Singapore which had a GDP per capita of $90,674 in 2024, followed by South Korea ($36,128), Japan ($32,498), China ($13,312), Malaysia ($12,540), Thailand ($7,491), Indonesia ($4,958) and Vietnam ($4,535).

“Before the pandemic, the Philippines had a higher GDP per capita than Vietnam, but has since been overtaken. At current trends, it would take the Philippines two years to catch up with Vietnam, but that gap could increase to 13 years by 2044,” Mr. Neri said.

The BPI economist said the Philippines needs structural reforms to accelerate growth in order to close the widening gap with its neighbors.

“The current economic model of the country is not enough, as shown by the country’s inability to grow faster than 6% in recent years,” he said.

Mr. Neri said the economy has been “too reliant” on consumer spending, driven by overseas Filipino worker (OFW) remittances and the business process outsourcing industry.

“There is a need to diversify its sources of growth. The economy must improve in terms of production, especially in agriculture and manufacturing, as they will allow the economy to be more self-sufficient and to reach foreign markets. These industries have been critical to Vietnam’s success and could play a similar role for the Philippines,” he said.

However, Mr. Neri said implementing these reforms will be hard if the government lacks focus.

“Public spending issues divert fiscal resources and policymaking focus away from long-term development priorities. Efforts to strengthen safeguards against potential issues in government spending are essential, enabling the country to work on structural reforms that could improve the economy,” he said.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? What do you think should the government do to accelerate economic growth?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Get To Know The Las Piñas Persons with Disability Federation Inc. (LPPWDFI)

November 25, 2025November 23, 2025carlocarrasco

If you are a person with disability (PWD) living in Las Piñas City, be aware that there is an organization that is reaching out to you as it is active in empowering persons with disability through advocacy, developmental programs and organizing projects. That organization is the Las Piñas Persons with Disability Federation Inc. (LPPWDFI).

LPPWDFI’s Objectives

The LPPWDFI aims to know the status of persons with disabilities in your local area. They will use the results of the data to provide evidence for policy advocacy, program development, and disability inclusive budgeting at the barangay and city and municipal level.

The federation develops programs and projects appropriate to the needs and rights of the PWDs. The skills of the federation will be strengthened through the collective experience in data generation, analysis and advocacy which will strengthen the organizations.

Background of the LPPWDFI

In 2013, the federation implemented the profiling of persons with disabilities in partnerhship with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the National Capital Region (NCR). The project revolved around participatory research wherein PWDs were the main actors from planning, execution, to analysis of the research.

There were two fundamental gains:

1. The collective experience contributed to strengthening the federation at the village associations and Federal level.

2. The data generated provided strong evidence for policy and program development at the village and city level. Building up on this gain, the profiling was expanded and has been updated in 2021-2022 as a component of cbm global philippines’ “Capacity Building of OPDs for the Effective Participation of Persons With Disabilities in Governance” project funded by CBM Australia.

For more than a decade now, the Las Piñas Persons with Disability Federation Inc. has been active in representing the interests of PWDs in the city and they backed it up with action through the organizing of activities, projects and conferences. In 2015, the LPPWDFI was awarded as PWD Group of the Year by the Philippine Foundation for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled, Inc. (PFRD) through the Apolinario Mabini Awards Committee.

In 2019, the federation was awarded as the Best Local Federation during the 1^st Dangal Ng Mga Taong May Kapansanan Awards.

To get connected with the Las Piñas Persons with Disability Federation Inc. (LPPWDFI) through social media, click https://www.facebook.com/laspinaspwds. To contact them, send an email to laspinaspwdfederation@gmail.com or contact them by mobile phone at 0922-620-5846.

*The office of the LPPWDFI is inside the Senior Citizens Center along Myrna Panlilio Street, Heritage Homes in Las Piñas City*

To visit the LPPWDFI office, go to the Senior Citizen Center, Myrna Panlilio Street, Heritage Homes, BF Resort Village, Las Piñas City. Google Map location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/a4U4wTV524SagqPm9

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For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Business Groups Reaffirm Commitment To National Economy

November 25, 2025November 18, 2025carlocarrasco

With the weakening economic growth and growing socio-economic uncertainty affecting the entire Philippines, prominent business groups reaffirmed their commitment to invest and create jobs in the country, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…

Six prominent groups representing the business sector reaffirmed their commitment to invest and create jobs in the Philippines amid weakening sentiment in the economy, which is fueled by what they described as a “political turmoil” stemming from the ongoing corruption scandal.

In a rare joint statement sent to the media moments after a pivotal reshuffle in the administration’s economic team, the business groups emphasized that they remain committed to supporting the Philippine economy.

“While the current political turmoil raises understandable concerns, we stress that the country’s long-term fundamentals remain strong; anchored by a well-regulated financial system, a stable banking sector, and companies that continue to invest in and believe in the Philippines,” the groups said on Monday, Nov. 17.

The statement was signed by Makati Business Club (MBC), Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (FINEX), Philippine Finance Association, and Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD).

In a statement that essentially serves as a pitch to potential investors, the six business groups said that the institutions safeguarding local markets “continue to operate independently and rigorously.”

The groups cited the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as among the most reliable government partners when it comes to businesses.

Both the BSP and the SEC uphold regulatory frameworks aligned with global standards, ultimately ensuring market integrity, prudent risk management, and strong investor protection, they said.

“The Philippines continues to meet international benchmarks on capital adequacy, disclosure requirements, and corporate governance,” the groups said.

The business groups also took note of the corporate earnings of publicly listed companies, which reflect the economy’s underlying strength.

They noted that even during periods of global instability, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, companies continued to demonstrate resilience with growing revenues and stable margins.

Further, the groups said that investment sentiment in the country remains robust, with gross fixed capital formation ranging between 22 percent and 27 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) over the last 10 years.

“This ongoing level of capital spending, mainly driven by business growth, clearly indicates that Philippine companies continue to build capacity, expand operations, and invest in the country’s long-term prospects,” the statement read.

While upholding optimism, the six business groups stressed that investor confidence is influenced not only by economic fundamentals but also by governance.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Does the joint statement of the prominent business group boost your confidence about the future of the country? Do you think the Philippine economy will be able to bounce back strongly next year? Does the continuing media coverage of the flood control corruption scandals and investigations continue to bother you?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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A Look Back at Uncanny X-Men #286 (1992)

November 24, 2025November 16, 2025carlocarrasco

Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading the comic book and doing personal research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.

Welcome back superhero enthusiasts, 1990s arts and culture enthusiasts, Marvel Comics fans and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the early 1990s to explore one of the many tales of the Marvel shared universe through the Uncanny X-Men series.

While issue #284 marked the turning point following the successful return of Jean Grey and the encounter with Bishop, issue #285 generated strong vibes of the sci-fi TV series Otherworld as it revealed most of the X-Men’s Gold Team members in a completely different world filled with unknown inhabitants and culture. Clearly a lot has happened following the Gold Team’s debut in issue #281 which reflects the respective contributions of the creators.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Uncanny X-Men #286, published in 1992 by Marvel Comics with a story co-written by Jim Lee and Scott Lobdell (who worked on the script). The art was done by Whilce Portacio with ink work by Art Thibert.

Early story

The story begins with Jean Grey, Colossus, Storm and her male companion (Mikhail Rasputin) together. While Jean is surprised and relieved to see Storm again (she was separated from the team temporarily in the last issue), Colossus is shocked to see his long-lost brother Mikhail alive and well. Mikhail reveals that so many years have passed since he last stood with his little brother and had long abandoned any hope of a reunion.

The reunion is interrupted when a portal has grown larger by the moment and it means that it is only a matter time before Earth is pulled into the realm they are in. Both worlds are at risk of getting destroyed…

Quality

*Charles Xavier and Forge are still on Earth separated from the rest of the X-Men’s Gold Team members.*

Following the build-up and character developments that happened in the previous issue, this X-Men tale is pretty much a strong pay-off while leaving some space for suspense and surprises. The writers intended to conclude what started in issue #284 and along the way, they had to go through the challenges of introducing a new world, new people and the conflicts within. Mikhail Rasputin – the same guy who helped Storm in issue #284 – is easily the most impactful addition to this tale and because of him and what he revealed, Colossus became emotional and felt like his life was crumbling as he simply could not handle the truth. Colossus’ despair and emotional state here served as the creative seeds that later led to the betrayal he would eventually commit (in Uncanny X-Men #304).

The Mikhail-Colossus interaction was easily this comic book’s source of emotions which added some weight to the plot. By the time I reached the end of this issue, I felt really satisfied and at the same time curious about the state of Colossus (note: there’s a still a long road of X-Men tales before Uncanny X-Men #304).

With regards to the writing, John Byrne’s intricate touch on the dialog was clearly missing but Scott Lobdell did a fine job taking over. While Whilce Portacio was credited as illustrator, there were a few pages that looked like they were drawn by someone else. The same also happened with regards to the inking in different parts of the comic book…Art Thibert’s inking has a fine touch and there were some images that had aggressive and thicker inking (it has to be the work of someone uncredited).

Conclusion

*A very significant moment for the Rasputin brothers witnessed by Jean Grey, Storm and a few of the locals.*

While there were some inconsistencies on the quality of the artworks, Uncanny X-Men #286 (1992) had a really strong script and the good news here is that the creative team managed to pull off a solid conclusion. This is the kind of tale in which the X-Men utilized their skills and made tough decisions while being far away from Charles Xavier. At this particular stage of the Uncanny X-Men series, the Gold Team’s development really progressed and they became a more appealing team to follow.

Overall, Uncanny X-Men #286 (1992) is highly recommended!

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New Learning Spaces Unveiled by Southville International School and Colleges

November 23, 2025November 21, 2025carlocarrasco

As it celebrates its 35^th year of delivering quality international education this year, Southville International School and Colleges (SISC) officially launched its newest learning spaces this past Friday at its campus in BF International, Las Piñas City.

At the ribbon-cutting ceremony were (from L to R) Dr. Jocelyn P. Tizon (SISC President), Dr. Melva Diamante (SISFU Chairman), Dr. Ma. Felma C. Tria (Government Academe Industry Network Director), Dr. Gloria Baken Wong-Siy (Founding President and President Emeritus of the Association of Administrators in Hotel and Restaurant Management Education Institutions) and Dr. Genevieve Ledesma-Laurel (Chief Executive Mentor and Founder of the Southville Global Education Network).

*The Southville executives, department heads, educators and guests engage in a prayer to the Lord at the ground floor.*

After the first ribbon cutting and prayer at the ground floor, SISC executives, department heads, educators, corporate partners and others guests proceeded to the brand new learning facilities of the Premier Psychology and Mental Wellness Hub at the 5^th floor which include a SPED Laboratory, an Accreditation Center and other modern rooms.

*Inside the SPED Laboratory of the Premier Psychology and Mental Wellness Hub at the 5th floor*.

*Group photo at the Premier Psychology and Mental Wellness Hub*.

At the lower ground floor was the brand new Digilab which is a modern digital workspace equipped with industry-grade tools for programming, data analytics and tech innovation. The Digilab was designed to empower students to bring digital ideas to life and it will be SISC’s place of developing computer engineers and tech developers in the years to come.

*Inside the band new and high-tech Digilab which will be the place of training for the next generation of tech developers and computer engineers.*

At the building of Southville International School affiliated with Foreign Universities (SISFU) is the Monarchs Hub which is a dynamic multi-functional space that integrates nursing, simulation labs, research areas, and collaborative learning zones. The Monarchs Hub also function well as a theater-type venue for special presentations, speaking events and seminars. It was designed to serve also as a training ground for future healthcare professionals, offering hands-on experience through high-fidelity mannequins and clinical equipment.

*A view of the Monarchs Hub which has many comfortable seats and high-tech equipment ideal for presentations and training.*

A special program and presentation was held at the Monarchs Hub were the SISC executives, department heads, educators, students, corporate partners and guests gathered. Through the speeches delivered and videos shown to the audience, SISC emphasized its legacy of high quality education with a global concept and its long-term mission to innovate, to develop globally competitive students and create the next generation of leaders.

*Chairperson for Psychology Diane Imperio delivered her remarks during the presentation at the Monarchs Hubs.*

The new learning spaces at Southville reflect the institution’s drive for modernizing learning and developing skills with a progressive future in mind. Each visit to the new facilities had its own ribbon cutting and blessing done by a priest.

To learn more about Southville International School and Colleges, visit https://www.southville.edu.ph/ or contact them at landline numbers 8825-6374, and 8820-8702 to 03. To visit the institution, go to 1281 Tropical Ave. corner Luxembourg St., BF Homes International, Las Pinas City.

About SISC

*The Southville executives, department heads and educators.*

Southville International School and Colleges (SISC) is officially recognized as an educational institution of international character by Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9493, and the only international school in the Philippines offering a complete array of educational programs. Propelled by its main thrust of providing the highest quality standards of education to learners, SISC keeps in constant pursuit of excellence in instructional-related matters, research, and community services. SISC delivers excellent grade school, high school, IB, and college education and is one of the leaders in the Philippines.

Among the many reasons why students choose to study in SISC besides its complete educational offerings are its internationally-benchmarked curricula and learner needs-responsive programs that facilitate the students’ adjustment to their new environment. In fact, students from non-English speaking countries in Asia choose to enroll in the International Baccalaureate Program of SISC not just because of the comparatively lower school fees but because it is managed by a team of competent educators who have been trained in various parts of the world to ensure that the culture of each person is kept in SISC’s community of cultural diversity while acquiring excellent academic education.

As one of the top international schools in Manila, SISC employs innovative and internationally-benchmarked curricular offerings in College taking into account crucial factors in the job market to prepare all types of learners of various nationalities and cultures for global competitiveness. The astute academic, and character-building programs at all levels including high school, grade school, and preschool make it facile for the students to successfully hurdle all school requirements including social and environmental adjustment anywhere in the world.

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BSP Warns Public About Text Hijacking

November 22, 2025November 21, 2025carlocarrasco

If you received a text message containing links, you better avoid clicking on those links as scammers have gotten more sophisticated with technology to steal money, access to personal accounts and personal data from victims through mobile communication. That being said, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has warned the public about text hijacking, according to a news article by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of the PNA. Some parts in boldface…

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) warned the public on Friday that only scammers would send links through the short messaging system (SMS) or text message.

BSP, in a press release, said legitimate banks, e-money issuers, and other financial entities will not send links, even though the messages look like it came from these regulated institutions.

This scheme is called text hijacking that “involves scammers inserting fake messages into legitimate text threads to make them look authentic.”

“These messages often contain malicious links designed to steal access to victims’ financial accounts and are usually accompanied by urgent prompts such as notifications of expiring rewards, unauthorized transactions, or account verification requests to pressure recipients into clicking the link,” it said.

Reports about fraudulent text messages continue to rise, the BSP noted.

This, even as the central bank and other financial institutions have increased their education campaign aimed to inform the public about this scam.

The public is advised to avoid clicking links in text messages or e-mails even if they appear to come from banks or e-money issuers; enable multi-factor authentication to secure accounts and never share personal or financial details with anyone.

If the account has been compromised, contact the bank or e-money issuer through official channels: https://bit.ly/BSPScamAlert

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Where you ever a victim of text hijacking? What do you think government and financial institutions should do to find the scammers and have them all arrested?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Approved Foreign Investment Pledges Fall Down 48.7% In 3rd Quarter

November 21, 2025November 14, 2025carlocarrasco

The flood control corruption scandals connected with the weaker investor sentiment resulted in a 48.7% fall in foreign investment pledges during the 3^rd quarter this year, according a news report by BusinessWorld. It should be noted that Philippines GDP growth for the same quarter slowed down a lot.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of BusinessWorld. Some parts in boldface…

APPROVED foreign investment pledges plunged nearly 50% in the third quarter as investor sentiment soured due to the corruption scandal involving government infrastructure projects, the local statistics agency said.

Preliminary data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed the value of foreign commitments approved by investment promotion agencies (IPAs) fell by 48.7% to P73.68 billion in the July-to-September period from P143.74 billion in same period last year.

However, this was the highest amount of investment pledges since the third quarter of 2024.

Ser Percival K. Peña-Reyes, director of the Ateneo Center for Economic Research and Development, said the decline in approved investments can be attributed to the weaker investor sentiment.

“Tingin ko. Wala pang nakukulong eh (I think so. No one has been imprisoned yet),” he said in a Viber message, when asked if this sharp slump in approved investments will likely persist in the fourth quarter until 2026.

Quarter on quarter, the approved pledges rose by 9.34% from P67.38 billion in the second quarter.

Singapore was the top source of foreign investment pledges in the third quarter with P20.26 billion (27.5%), followed by Japan with P13.59 billion (18.4%) and Cayman Islands with P13.14 billion (17.8%).

Investment commitments from South Korea stood at P5.57 billion (7.6%), while those from China stood at P4.51 billion (6.1%)

PSA data showed the investment pledges were approved by seven IPAs — the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan, Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), Board of Investments (BoI), Clark Development Corp., Clark International Airport Corp., Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? What do you think the government must do to convince foreign investors to become more confident about investing in the Philippines? Do you think the investigation and pace of justice related to the flood control corruption scandal is moving too slowly?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Wanted Person Arrested In Parañaque City Over Illegal Drugs Worth More Than P350,000

November 20, 2025November 11, 2025carlocarrasco

Recently in the city of Parañaque, police officers organized a successful buy-bust operation which resulted in the apprehension of a wanted person over illegal drugs, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

Authorities arrested a high-value individual (HVI) wanted for illegal drugs in a buy-bust operation on Tuesday, Nov. 11.

The Southern Police District (SPD) said the suspect, identified as alias Efer, 35, was arrested at around 2:15 a.m. in Sitio Kawayanan, Barangay Don Bosco, Parañaque City.

The police confiscated 527 grams of shabu worth P353,600, a coin purse, P500 buy-bust money, and a cellphone from Efer.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, are you concerned that illegal drug sellers could be infiltrating your local community?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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