Context Dispatch

Megawide Construction Corp.’s real estate arm, PH1 World Developers Inc., achieved a remarkable P3.38 billion in sales for the first nine months of 2025—more than double the P1.59 billion recorded during the same period last year. This strong performance already represents 94 percent of full‑year 2024 sales, putting the group on track to surpass last year’s total ahead of schedule.

Japan’s Chargé d’Affaires Ono Sho joined Philippine officials and foreign diplomats in marking the 81st anniversary of the historic Leyte Gulf Landings, held from October 19 to 20, 2025, at the MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park in Palo, Leyte.

Stronger regional alliances and inclusive maritime governance are vital to ensuring peace, security, and sustainability in the Indo-Pacific, experts said during a recent high-level forum hosted by the Stratbase Institute and the French Embassy in Manila.

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) destroyer JS OONAMI arrived in Manila for a port visit ahead of joint military drills. The visit highlights deepening defense ties between Japan and the Philippines amid growing regional security cooperation.

Finance Secretary Ralph Recto on Tuesday cautioned senators against approving a proposal to cut the value-added tax (VAT) rate from 12 percent to 10 percent, warning that such a move could significantly increase government debt and risk a credit rating downgrade.