MANILA, Philippines — Cebu Pacific (CEB) carried 2.1 million passengers in August 2025, a 0.4% decrease compared to the same period last year.  Seat load factor (SLF) increased to 83.7% from 81.3% last year while seat capacity declined by 3.2%. Domestic passengers decreased by 4.4% versus August 2024 on 10.7% lower seats, with a domestic SLF increasing by 5.7pts to 87.6%. International passenger traffic, meanwhile, grew 13.3% year-over-year on 21.4% higher seats, which resulted in a 5.3pts decrease in SLF to 74.2%. For year-to-date 2025, CEB passengers grew to 18.1 million, marking a 15.2% increase from 15.7 million in 2024. Domestic passengers grew 14.0% to 13.5 million, while international passengers grew 18.8% to 4.6 million. SLF averaged 85.2%, while overall capacity in seats grew 15.1% to 21.3 million. “The softer year-on-year traffic in August reflects the usual lean travel season in the Philippines, particularly for domestic routes, while international passenger growth remained strong. We see this as an expected and temporary dip, with traffic rebounding in the fourth quarter as peak travel season begins and aircraft availability improves,” said Mike Szucs, Chief Executive Officer of Cebu Pacific. “We moderated our domestic capacity growth in August due to some unscheduled engine removals, the flyadeal wet-lease, and scheduled maintenance events in preparation for the busy holiday months.These actions enable our capacity to be optimized so that we can deliver higher growth in the fourth quarter to coincide with the anticipated strong demand.”  

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Alan Peter Cayetano has urged the Office of the Ombudsman to proactively conduct lifestyle checks on public officials, emphasizing the role of such checks as a deterrent to corruption. Cayetano raised the proposal during his line of inquiry to candidates vying to become the next Ombudsman in interviews conducted by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) from August 28 to September 2, 2025. Cayetano serves as the Senate’s representative to the JBC in his capacity as Chair of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights. “I’d really like for you to consider lifestyle checks. Kasi kung wala, there’s no deterrent,” Cayetano told one interviewee. He explained that lifestyle checks help verify whether a public official’s actual lifestyle aligns with the declared net worth and asset accumulation in the official’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN). “Ngayon sa social media, kapag nakita sa SALN mo na meron kang P5 million, but because all of that were acquired in the 1970s to 80s, and you have a car or watch, they automatically think you’re corrupt. On the other hand, if you say no to lifestyle checks, many will be flaunting their wealth,” he said. Cayetano underscored the need for public servants to live simply and avoid ostentatious displays of wealth. He said this in the context of alleged corruption issues in flood control and ghost projects. He also reiterated the importance of selecting a morally upright and proactive Ombudsman to lead the country’s anti-corruption efforts. “Napakahalaga na tama ang mapili nating Ombudsman. Given y’ung nangyayari ngayon sa Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), given y’ung perennial na nangyayari sa iba’t ibang departamento, having a very proactive but balanced Ombudsman will really change so much,” he said. Cayetano emphasized that the choice of the next Ombudsman is crucial in restoring public trust in government institutions. “I think who the next Ombudsman is will determine whether people will totally lose confidence in any government official,” he said.  

MANILA, Philippines — Speak out against wrongdoing, even when no one listens, because we must never begin to tolerate what should never be accepted. This was the core message of Senator Alan Peter Cayetano in the September 1, 2025 episode of his daily vlog, ‘CIA 365 with Kuya Alan,’ in which he reflected on corruption and inefficiencies in government, particularly highlighting longstanding issues within the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). Emphasizing that everyone has influence regardless of status and wealth, the senator called on his online community to speak and take action when they witness wrongdoing, even if it feels like no one is listening. “Part of our influence is to be very clear kung ano ang hindi natin ito-tolerate. Sobra ang tolerance ng Pilipino kaya kahit y’ung bawal, nagiging OK lang,” the senator during the Monday night livestream. “Tapos nagiging sugapa o garapal na. Kailangan meron mga bagay na hindi natin umpisahan man lang na ito-tolerate,” he added. Earlier in the Senate, Cayetano flagged the DPWH’s recurring issues with double appropriations, ghost projects and corruption — failings that he said contribute to flooding and lack of sustainable infrastructure solutions. In the livestream, the senator reiterated his longstanding concerns. “Today sa hearing ng Blue Ribbon sa DPWH at tsaka sa flooding, pinakita ko na taon-taon may double appropriation. Sinasabi nila na pagkakamali lang sa pagkakasulat. But every year, tumataas imbes na bumababa. Tatlong taon na pong walang nakikinig sa atin,” he said. Cayetano urged his viewers to do their part, without expecting credit, and reminded them that even small actions can contribute to larger change. “Whatever you’ve been saying at walang pumapansin, tapos kapag nangyari, no need to say ‘I told you so’. No need for the credit. What’s important is you did your part. Why? Kasi God sees you. Other people might not see you, but God sees you,” he said.          

MANILA, Philippines — Globe marks the 10th anniversary of its annual GDay celebration this September with a bold promise to bring joy, rewards, and meaningful experiences closer to customers. What started as a simple thank-you a decade ago has grown into a nationwide movement, bringing together digital innovation, real-world experiences, and heartfelt surprises that celebrate the Filipino spirit. “At Globe, we believe the most meaningful rewards are the ones that feel personal, those that are made just for you,” said Bianca Wong, Vice President and Head of Feel Valued Tribe at Globe. “This GDay, we’re celebrating in a way that recognizes our customers’ diverse passions and everyday wins. Whether it’s a surprise gift or a chance to win larger than life prizes on the app, or a fan experience you’ve been wishing for, there’s something in store for everyone to enjoy, tailored to what matters most to them.” This year, the spotlight turns to everyday moments that feel extraordinary. Across the country, Globe will activate GDay Pop-Up Booths in malls, stores, and neighborhood venues bringing the celebration closer to where customers live, work, and play. These on-ground activations in key cities like Cebu, Davao, Bacolod, Naga, Tuguegarao, and CDO, will transform familiar convergent spaces into joyful brand experiences filled with exclusive promos, partner rewards, and surprise giveaways. Online, the GlobeOne app is the home of GDay. From daily surprise gifts to chances to unlock exciting rewards, customers can explore a seamless and rewarding journey with every tap. Whether it’s vouchers, lifestyle perks, or something bigger, the GDay Surprise Gift is designed to bring a moment of delight to every day. For fans and music lovers, GDay 2025 adds a spark of excitement with the GDay BINI Fan Meet, happening on September 13 at the Samsung Performing Arts Theatre. Over 1,500 Globe customers will get to experience a special afternoon with their beloved P-pop group, complete with live performances, fun interactions, and memorable moments on stage. The chance to get tickets will be made available in the GlobeOne app Redeem Rewards section, keeping the spirit of surprise and accessibility alive. The celebration continues with the biggest G Raffle Rush, running from September 1 to October 31. Every week, customers can look forward to exciting, larger-than-life prizes, starting with a ₱50,000 grocery shopping spree powered by ShareTreats and ₱100,000 in GCash. Globe is also giving away a dream Japan trip for four with business class seats via All Nippon Airways, a luxury staycation for two at NuStar Cebu complete with Philippine Airlines Mabuhay Miles, and flagship gadgets from HUAWEI, HONOR, ASUS ROG, and OPPO Philippines. One lucky winner will even take home a BYD Atto 3 Dynamic Battery Electric Vehicle with ₱75,000 worth of charging credits and freebies from ACMobility through their new EVRO app. To top it all off, customers will have the chance to win not just one but two major properties: a Deluxe Studio Condominium unit in Amaia Steps Pasig and a two-bedroom house and lot in Amaia Scapes Trece Martires. Customers can rush their way to a free raffle entry via the GlobeOne app to join and also use their available Globe Rewards points to earn more raffle entries and look out for the exciting drops of prizes every week. Globe celebrates you every day with personalized rewards made just for you. You can count on Globe to make everyday a GDay!                

MANILA, Philippines — SM Megamall’s Cinema 3 was filled with over 700 members of the visually impaired community, their families, advocates, and supporters for the culminating event of Movies for the Blind 2025, held in celebration of White Cane Day. Led by Project ADAM (Audio Description Awareness Movement) in partnership with SM Cares, SM Cinema, GMA Pictures, GMA Public Affairs, Hit Productions, and Quantum Post, the event featured the specially curated, audio-described film “Firefly”, making the movie experience fully accessible to blind and visually impaired audiences. Observed every August in the Philippines under Republic Act 6759, White Cane Day honors the achievements and independence of people who are blind or visually impaired, and promotes the white cane as a symbol of their autonomy and mobility. “Accessible cinema is more than providing technology—it’s about opening spaces where everyone can experience the magic of storytelling together,” said Joaquin L. San Agustin, SM Supermalls Executive Vice President for Marketing.“Audio description is more than narration—it’s a bridge to culture, emotion, and belonging,” added Mr. Ronnel Del Rio, Convenor of Project ADAM. The program also included welcome remarks from Mr. Eliseo dela Paz, President of the Parent Advocates for Visually Impaired Children (PAVIC), and inspirational messages from partners advocating for a more inclusive society. “When persons with visual impairment are given access to the same experiences as everyone else, we are not just included—we are empowered. This event proves that with the right partnerships, accessibility can become the norm, not the exception,” said dela Paz. Movies for the Blind 2025 has successfully expanded to other regions earlier this year. On March 22, 2025, the event was held at SM City Calamba with 400 attendees, SM City Legazpi with 109 attendees, and SM City Davao with 400 attendees. It continued on April 26, 2025, reaching SM City Cebu with 100 attendees and SM City Baguio with 350 attendees. Through initiatives like this, SM Cares reinforces its commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, by promoting accessibility in media and public spaces. Celebrating 40 Super Years of Evolving With Every You, SM Supermalls—one of Southeast Asia’s largest mall developers with 88 malls in the Philippines—marks four decades of growing with Filipinos and becoming a trusted space where diverse lifestyles and generations connect, while continuously evolving to redefine the malling experience through sustainability, innovation, and a deep commitment to shaping the future of retail and urban life with inclusive and meaningful experiences.

  By Stephanie Nicole Peligman   MANILA, Philippines -Two students from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority–Cordillera Administrative Region (TESDA-CAR), Cordillera State Institute of Technical Education (CSITE), made the country proud after bagging gold and bronze medals at the 14th WorldSkills ASEAN Competition held from August 26–28, 2025, at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. Agee Docayso, a graduating student of the Diploma in Culinary Arts Technology, together with his expert, Chef Mary Kristine Iris Pasion, clinched the gold medal in Cooking, topping competitors from Cambodia, Thailand, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, Timor-Leste, Laos, and Malaysia. In Baking, Gibran Sudango, an incoming third-year student of the same program, alongside his expert Shirley Cael, delivered a strong finish and captured the bronze medal after battling against contenders from Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, and Cambodia. Both medalists are homegrown talents from CSITE’s Main Campus in Baguio City. TESDA-CAR and CSITE officials lauded the pair’s victories, saying their triumphs prove that the Cordillera continues to produce world-class talent. They added that the achievement also stands as a proud moment for the nation, showing that with proper training and determination, Filipino youth can excel on the world’s competitive stage. The Philippines finished second overall among the top three performing countries, with Malaysia taking the top spot and Indonesia placing third. Nearly 300 participants from 11 ASEAN member-states competed across 32 skill categories in six sectors, from manufacturing and ICT to creative arts and social services. The 14th WorldSkills ASEAN Competition carried the theme “ASEAN: Skilled for the Future”, underscoring the shared vision of investing in human capital to drive inclusive growth and sustainable development in the region. The victories of Docayso and Sudango not only brought honor to the Philippines but also highlighted the strength of TESDA-CAR CSITE’s technical-vocational programs in producing globally competitive youth.      

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Alan Peter Cayetano flagged the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) Engineering and Administrative Overhead (EAO) fund, saying it ballooned to P94 billion from 2022 to 2025 without ensuring project quality, resulting in wasted public funds. Cayetano stressed that the amount, which averages P20 billion a year, could already cover the P55-billion shortfall needed to reach the 4% of GDP target for education spending. “Ni-research na sa DPWH pala, they have EAO na up to 3.5% for any project above P1 million, at napupunta ito sa either central office, regional director, o sa district engineer,” he said. Cayetano made the point during the organizational meeting of the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education on August 27, which he chairs, in response to Senator Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian’s opening statement that the P55 billion needed for education could easily be sourced by reallocating part of the P270 billion set for flood control projects next year. The (EAO) is a percentage deducted from DPWH projects worth over P1 million to cover costs for testing, quality control, project management, and pre-construction activities. But Cayetano said despite these supposed purposes, the fund has failed to guarantee the integrity of projects and has even been linked to so-called “ghost projects.” “Kung pang-testing at quality control pero wala naman palang quality at ghost project pa, sayang itong pondong ito,” he said. Cayetano emphasized that the fund, which averages P20 billion a year, is enough to cover the education budget gap and urged Gatchalian to look into it. “May I respectfully hand it over to you baka gusto mong tingnan. It’s mostly P20 billion a year. Isusumbong ko na kay Tulfo y’ang EAO na ‘yan,” he said.

MANILA, Philippines — The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) has expressed full support for the initial actions of newly designated Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., particularly his decision to implement a resolution reversing the major reshuffle of senior officials ordered under former PNP Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III. NAPOLCOM Vice Chairperson and Executive Officer Commissioner Ralph Calinisan commended Nartatez for enforcing Resolution No. 2025-0531, signed by Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary and Ex-Officio Chairperson Juanito Victor C. Remulla, along with Commissioners Calinisan, Beatrice Aurora A. Vega-Cancio, Ricardo P. Bernabe, and Josephus G. Angan. “This move of the new PNP Chief highlights his respect for institutions and the system of checks and balances enshrined in the Constitution. This is a good sign of things to come. The NAPOLCOM pledges 100 percent support to the leadership of Lt. Gen. Nartatez. Truly, Nartatez is the best choice to be the next PNP Chief,” Calinisan said. The NAPOLCOM chief likewise welcomed Nartatez’s move to relieve P/BGen. Jean Fajardo as PNP spokesperson, emphasizing the importance of aligning the post with the Public Information Office. Nartatez explained that Fajardo is currently detailed with the Directorate for Comptrollership and therefore not in the proper office to serve as spokesperson. NAPOLCOM underscored that the resolution seeks to restore stability and proper command structure within the police force, following the leadership transition at Camp Crame.

Cebu Pacific (PSE: CEB), the Philippines’ leading airline, will soon introduce Airbus A330neo flights to more destinations in its domestic network to support the growing demand for air travel ahead of the holiday season. Starting October 26, 2025, the 459-seater widebody aircraft will operate flights between Manila to Iloilo 7x weekly, and between Manila and Puerto Princesa 4x weekly starting November 2, 2025. A330neo flights will also operate between Manila and Bohol 7x weekly beginning November 16, 2025. Start of Operations Route Frequency October 26 Manila – Iloilo – Manila 7x weekly November 2 Manila – Puerto Princesa – Manila 4x weekly November 16 Manila – Bohol – Manila 7x weekly “We’re excited to expand our A330neo operations to more Philippine destinations, as this allows us to offer more seats, lower fares, and an even more comfortable travel experience for our passengers. By increasing capacity to key domestic routes, we not only make travel more accessible, but also help drive tourism and stimulate economic activity, creating opportunities for local communities and further supporting the growth of Philippine tourism,” said Xander Lao, President and Chief Commercial Officer of Cebu Pacific. CEB is the largest operator of A330neo aircraft in Asia-Pacific, currently with a total of 12 aircraft of this kind in its fleet. With the arrival of its latest A330neo aircraft in July, CEB also became the first local airline to operate a 100-strong fleet. Currently, CEB operates A330neo flights to Cebu, Davao, and General Santos, as well as several international destinations across Asia, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates. With CEB’s A330neo flights now having a wider reach across the Philippines, more travelers will be able to experience Puerto Princesa’s rich marine life and access its stunning beaches, explore Iloilo’s sumptuous dishes and well-preserved Spanish-era landmarks, and visit Bohol, the home of the world’s smallest primate—the tarsier. This move also aligns with CEB’s ongoing efforts to provide its passengers with improved comfort, increased capacity, and a more sustainable way to travel. With its extended range and high seating capability, the A330neo allows the airline to optimize operations on both high-demand and strategically important routes. The A330neo provides CEB with the flexibility to serve regional, long-haul, and busy domestic routes, all while maintaining cost-efficiency. Airbus NEOs are the latest-generation aircraft that burn up to 25 percent less fuel per flight and produce less noise compared to the previous generation. The decrease in fuel consumption leads to a corresponding reduction in aircraft carbon emissions. CEB operates one of the youngest fleets in the world, with its diversified fleet mix of 12 Airbus A330s, 40 Airbus A320s, 26 Airbus A321s, and 22 ATR turboprop aircraft, enabling the widest network coverage in the Philippines.