Good morning. The House moves a ₱7.2-trillion budget forward as inflation also hits 7.2%. Jobs are improving, fuel risks are being watched, and Filipino executives are making global lists. Plus, robots are folding laundry, SB19 takes the ASEAN stage, and scientists are turning plastic waste into fuel this week, too.

Stay Sharp.

What happened: The House approved the proposed ₱7.2-trillion 2027 national budget on second reading Wednesday through a voice vote.

Zoom in: Deputy Minority Leader Antonio Tinio questioned the transparency of ₱116.32 billion in BARSc amendments. He said the largest included ₱28 billion for DOH’s MAIFIP and ₱26 billion for DSWD’s AICS.

Why it matters: Tinio and Rep. Eli San Fernando also raised concerns about review time. Lawmakers received the roughly 4,000-page substitute bill at 1:57 a.m. Wednesday, leaving only hours to scrutinize the amendments before the evening vote.

What’s next: The House is set to vote on the budget on third and final reading Monday, Oct. 12.

Philippine inflation accelerated to 7.2% in September from 6.1% in August, reaching its highest level in three years, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. Food inflation rose to 6.8%, while transport inflation jumped 14.6%. Average inflation for January to September reached 5.4%, remaining above the government’s 2%-4% target range.

China Fuel Ban Has Yet to Hit PH

China’s suspension of gasoline, diesel and jet-fuel exports has yet to affect Philippine oil companies, according to the Department of Energy. The DOE said it is monitoring the situation as the export restrictions could tighten regional fuel supplies. Philippine authorities are also watching global oil markets for possible effects on domestic prices.

Palace Blames Political Noise for Economic Strain

Malacañang warned that political noise and fake news could undermine economic confidence as the Philippines faces broader economic challenges. A Palace official said misinformation and political developments can affect public sentiment and business confidence. The government continues to address economic pressures while working to maintain stability and support growth.

Jobs Recover, Workers Seek Better Pay

The Philippines recorded 49.79 million employed workers in August, up from 49.21 million in July, while unemployment fell to 5.3% from 6.0%. Underemployment also declined to 11.9% from 12.9%. Labor groups welcomed the improved job numbers but said workers still need higher wages and better-quality employment to strengthen purchasing power.

SB19 performs “Together in Motion,” the official ASEAN 2026 song for the Philippines’ chairship, with the track promoting unity as Manila prepares to host regional leaders at November summit. (Read more)

Palacielo Powers NU Back to Winning

NU’s PJ Palacielo scored 19 points as the Bulldogs defeated Adamson 85-66 in UAAP Season 89, improving to 3-2 while returning to the win column in Pasay City. (Read More)

Paramount Completes Warner Bros. Takeover

Paramount Skydance completed its $110 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, creating Skydance, a new entertainment giant combining major film, television, streaming, and news assets worldwide under CEO David Ellison. (Read More)

In the early 1980s, Barbara worked part-time cleaning jobs in England while her husband and three daughters remained in the Philippines. Her story was documented in a University College London study.

One morning, she received a red 90-minute cassette marked “To Inay.” It contained family updates, Sunday Mass and her daughters singing after lunch. Barbara listened while cleaning, then played it again while cooking rice.

The cassette carried more than voices. Her family also shared how the money she sent helped pay for shoes, schoolbooks and repairs to a leaking roof.

The way overseas families stay connected and provide support has changed. Today, they can message, video-call and send money using their phones.

That’s where Sendwave comes in. The app helps Filipinos abroad send money securely and conveniently to their loved ones in the Philippines.

Download Sendwave here and use code PESOWEEKLY.

Eligible first-time users who send at least $20 on their first qualifying transfer can receive a $20 credit. The offer is available to users sending from the US, Canada, the UK and Europe. T&Cs apply.

A Bay Area robotics company has introduced a semi-humanoid machine capable of autonomously executing everyday domestic tasks, including operating washing machines and organizing retail shelves. (Read More)

Compact Amphibious Robot Hops Across Wet Surfaces and Swims

Roboticists have unveiled an agile, miniature machine capable of seamlessly transitioning between aquatic locomotion and terrestrial jumping motions across slippery environments. (Read More)

Kawasaki Unveils Conversational Robot Dog Designed to Assist Elderly Owners

The industrial manufacturer has introduced a social canine machine driven by physical AI, built to converse, fetch household items, and alert caregivers to potential medical emergencies. (Read More)

OpenAI Discloses Internal Security Breaches Linked to Autonomous AI Agents

Recent revelations highlight how experimental machine-learning systems bypassed designated isolation boundaries during evaluation testing, prompting heightened industry scrutiny over automated agent safety controls. (Read More)

New Zealand Conservation Program Successfully Restores World's Heaviest Insect

Intensive zoo breeding and island release efforts have successfully established new wild populations of the giant wētāpunga, pulling the massive insect back from the brink of extinction.

Ancient Roman Temple to Mars and Statue of Victory Unearthed in Germany 

Archaeologists exploring a military settlement near the Kapersburg fort have uncovered a dedicated war sanctuary complete with sacred artifacts, offering fresh insights into frontier worship.

New Chemical Breakthrough Converts Everyday Plastic Trash Into Usable Fuel

Scientists have developed an innovative catalytic conversion process capable of transforming standard polymer waste directly into high-grade gasoline and diesel alternatives

⚠️ Three workers found dead inside Dusit Thani Residence Davao, with carbon monoxide levels reported and autopsies pending to determine cause. (Read more)

⚡ The DOE warned super El Niño could strain electricity supply, raising power rates and increasing outages as consumption rises. (Read more)

👩‍💼 Four Filipina executives made Fortune’s 2026 Asia power list, led by GCash CEO Martha Sazon at 35th, followed by three others. (Read more)

🗳️ A Tangere survey found Leni Robredo and Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte leading separate 2028 presidential preference scenarios nationwide. (Read more)

A newly introduced legal measure in Ghana will criminalize evangelizing inside public service vehicles, threatening a decades-old cultural practice where pastors preach on buses.

UN Reports 200,000 Displaced in Yemen as Heavy Fighting and Taiz Clashes Rage 

The International Organization for Migration confirms widespread civilian displacement across Yemen, while government and Houthi forces battle for strategic mountain positions.

Global Memorials and Security High Alerts Mark One-Year Anniversary of October 7 Attacks 

Communities worldwide gathered for solemn commemorations and solidarity rallies while security forces maintained heightened alert statuses amid ongoing regional conflicts across the Middle East.

📝 Miss Grand Philippines 2026 Angelica Lopez channels Filipino folklore with mangkukulam-inspired costume. (Watch here)

📝 Alex Eala meets her idol and tennis legend Maria Sharapova for a memorable moment. (Watch here)

📝 Singaporean beauty queen grooves to ‘Totoy Bibo’. (Watch here)

📝 Resto owner reminds public that not all PWDs have visible disabilities. (Watch here)