BIZ BUZZ: Golf tourney turns thorny

A prestigious tournament at this major golf club has turned contentious, with the erstwhile celebrated winners at risk of losing their bragging rights.

We hear that the plush club is investigating the outcome of the long-running sporting event, which had raised the eyebrows of some rabid golf enthusiasts.

Based on the established scoring rules, each team was to serve as “marker” for the other team in their flight.

But how the winning scores were ultimately computed is now being challenged, and the club of the country’s who’s who is scrambling to put out the fire.

As the club probes deeper into the burning issue, the golfing community waits with bated breath to find out who is (or who are) responsible and whether appropriate penalties will be meted out soon. —Doris Dumlao-Abadilla

Better place for Perez

Manuel V. Pangilinan-led Metro Pacific Investments Corp. made the surprise announcement last week that former MPIC CEO Jose Ma. K. Lim was taking over the reins of Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) effective March 1.

Lim replaced Arrey Perez, who had left Clark International Airport Corp. to join the MVP group as president and chief operating officer of the MVP group’s tollways arm.

Pangilinan said in November last year when Perez was appointed that he would “amplify the company’s customer-centric approach in serving its motorists and commuting public.”

READ: Metro Pacific Tollways unit changes the guard, again

But with Perez stepping aside after just about three months, it would appear that Pangilinan has changed his mind.

But Perez is not going anywhere just yet as Pangilinan has appointed him to another role, that of chief regulatory officer of MPTC.

This was perhaps a strategic move to hasten pending projects and issues with regulators considering Perez’s extensive experience in government.

It remains to be seen if the gamble will ultimately pay off for Pangilinan. —Tina Arceo-Dumlao

Manulife stands ready to help clients

Last year, the Philippines saw how the effects of climate change resulted in stronger and more destructive typhoons.

In the aftermath of those events, Manulife Philippines showed that it is always ready to help its customers.

Figures showed Manulife had paid claims amounting to P12.9 billion over the last five years.

READ: Manulife boosts funds for microentrepreneurs

And despite seeing that level of expenses, Rahul Hora, company president and CEO, said Manulife was still poised to see double-digit growth in both its net income and premium income this year.

Speaking to reporters, Roha said Manulife’s financial strength was being supported by Filipinos’ growing desire to become “more proactive” in planning their financial protection against uncertainties.

Specifically, Roha said Manulife was focusing on its young millennial and Gen Z customers to show the importance of early preparation to secure their financial futures.

“They can count on us to continue developing solutions that provide financial and health protection when it truly matters,” he added. —Ian Nicolas P. Cigaral INQ