Good Morning.

Happy midweek. We know the days move fast, so we kept this one tight and useful. In today’s issue, we look at the flood control case that just escalated, a Filipino founder who built a juice empire from nothing, plus sharp updates on business, tech, health, and world news you should not miss.

Stay sharp,
Team PesoWeekly

Who’s detained: Four co-accused linked to an alleged flood control anomaly in Pandi, Bulacan were transferred Tuesday to the New Quezon City Jail in Payatas, joining former senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr.. The group includes former DPWH engineers Brice Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza, plus Bulacan district officials Arjay Domasig and Juanito Mendoza.

Why now: The Sandiganbayan Third Division ordered their arrest over alleged irregularities tied to a P92.8 million infrastructure project. Prosecutors claim at least P76 million was released despite reported issues in the project’s execution.

How it happened: The four were brought in by a government van and booked at the male dormitory. Hernandez and Mendoza had been held at the Senate after being cited for contempt during earlier hearings.

What’s next: One co-accused has been arrested in Benguet. Another DPWH engineer remains at large as the case moves forward.

The struggle: Alfredo Yao lost his father young, dropped out of college, and sold goods on the street to help feed his family. No diploma. No safety net.

The edge: While running a small printing shop, he spotted a packaging idea in Europe: foil pouches. Beverage companies said no. So Yao made his own juice.

The win: Zest-O became the baon drink of Filipino kids by being cheap, portable, and everywhere. He owned the mass market, not the premium shelf.

The risk: He later jumped into aviation with Zest Air. When costs and competition hit hard, he partnered with AirAsia instead of bleeding cash.

Lesson for Filipinos: Look where others are not looking. Build for ordinary people. And know when to partner instead of forcing pride.

Hotel101 expects ₱12.6 billion in sales from its 766-room Melbourne hotel after signing binding agreements. Set for completion by 2029, the project expands the Filipino-owned brand globally, boosting Philippine corporate presence, creating jobs, developing management expertise, and attracting investor confidence while supporting DoubleDragon’s goal of 1 million rooms worldwide.

BDO Unibank is selling its 70% stake in Dominion Holdings Inc. to Monte Sur Equity Holdings for around ₱2.54 billion, including a ₱200 million premium. The sale, pending regulatory approval and a mandatory tender offer, will simplify BDO’s structure without affecting its business or finances.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index dropped 84.92 points to 6,352.86 as investors booked profits amid global uncertainties and a weaker peso. Trading reached ₱6.57 billion, with foreign inflows of ₱303 million. Services gained 0.73%, while property slid 2.68%, led by Ayala Land’s 4.6% decline.

Philippine palay output rose 3.01% to 19.68 million metric tons in 2025, recovering from a 2024 drop but below the DA’s original 20.3–20.4 MMT goal. Analysts said expanded harvest area and higher spending still fell short. At this level, the country will still need about 4 MMT of rice imports.

Filipina tennis star Alex Eala remained positive after losing in the first round of the 2026 Australian Open to Alycia Parks, valuing fan support and treating the match as a learning experience. (Read More)

Valentino, Italian fashion designer known for “Valentino red,” died at 93 in Rome. He built a luxury empire, dressed stars like Elizabeth Taylor, retired in 2008, and left a lasting legacy. (Read more)

Netflix’s acquisition of Warner Bros strengthens its content library, including HBO Max and major franchises, boosts competition with rival streamers, and may prompt bigger mergers and more original productions across the industry. (Read More)

Crypto thefts surged in 2025, with hackers stealing $3.4 billion worldwide. UK investors were left unprotected, as stolen funds show on blockchains but are nearly impossible to recover under current rules. (Read More)

European countries are building local AI models and supporting open research to rely less on US companies and protect their digital control amid growing global tensions. (Read more)

Google filed an appeal against a US court decision saying it held an illegal search monopoly, warning that orders to share data with rivals could expose trade secrets. (Read more)

The UK government launched a consultation on banning social media for under-16s and strengthening school phone rules, aiming to protect children’s wellbeing amid growing political and public support. (Read more)

The sun sent an S4 solar radiation storm, the strongest in over 20 years, expected to bring auroras to unusual areas and cause minor disruptions to satellites, flights, and GPS systems.

The study suggests regular ibuprofen use was linked to lower risk of some cancers, including endometrial cancer, but experts warn against self-medicating due to side effects and mixed results evidence.

Researchers in Austria reported a pet cow named Veronika used a long-handled brush to scratch hard-to-reach body parts, marking the first documented tool use in cows and challenging views on animal intelligence.

Researchers found that early humans relied on scavenging animal carcasses using tools, fire, and cooperation, making it a central survival strategy that shaped our evolution alongside hunting and gathering.

Proficiency among Filipino learners drops sharply through school, with only 0.4 percent reaching Grade 12 proficiency, highlighting gaps in foundational literacy and numeracy skills. (Read more)

The Philippine peso may weaken to 59.30 per dollar, pressured by corruption concerns, slow growth, BSP easing bets, and rising geopolitical tensions affecting inflation and trade. (Read more)

Jollibee Group boosts growth with Compose and Highlands Coffee, Yonghe King, and Tim Ho Wan, expanding stores internationally, driving digital engagement, and increasing operational efficiency across markets. (Read more)

Most Filipino overseas workers are women, who dominate migration flows and often face greater risks, exploitation, and challenges while working in foreign countries. (Read more)

A vessel carrying 11 divers and 4 crew capsized off Sarangani. The Coast Guard is searching for 14 missing individuals and investigating the incident. (Read more)

At least 21 people died and around 100 were injured, including 25 seriously, after a high-speed train collided with another train in Adamuz, Cordoba, Spain on Sunday. (Watch here)

Japan welcomed a record 42.7 million tourists in 2025, even as Chinese visitors dropped 45% in December due to diplomatic tensions after Tokyo’s Taiwan remarks sparked backlash from Beijing.

A 12-year-old boy and a man in his 20s were critically hurt in separate shark attacks at Sydney beaches, while an 11-year-old escaped with minor damage.

📝 Inventors unveil a piano that lights up blue using glowing algae. (Watch)

📝 Hidilyn Diaz completes teaching course, set to teach weightlifting at UP Diliman.

📝 P-pop group SB19 hits 1 billion spotify streams.

📝 NASA moves Artemis 2 rocket to launch pad for first crewed moon mission since Apollo.

📝 Veteran Monfils exits Australian Open to standing ovation.