About the Author

Mr. Lucas has been a journalist since 1999, having covered banking and finance, telecommunications, transportation, energy, capital markets and the presidential palace beats.

He has worked for The Business Daily, BusinessWorld, The Manila Times, Today and the Manila Standard Today. He spent 18 years at the Philippine Daily Inquirer, starting as a reporter in 2005 before becoming its business news editor until Dec. 31, 2023.

He earned a business management degree from the Ateneo de Manila University in 1994.

Latest from the Author

29 May 2025

2:34PM

Cebu Pacific chief lauds PAL’s ‘more rational’ post-bankruptcy strategy, new boss

By: Daxim L. Lucas

The chief of the Gokongwei family-controlled budget airline lauded PAL for executing a successful bankruptcy exit and restructuring during the pandemic, which saw the balance sheet of the Lucio Tan-owned firm unburdened of $2 billion in debt.

28 May 2025

10:30AM

INSIDER INFO | Cebu Pacific flips the script in a first for aircraft leasing

By: Daxim L. Lucas

Insiders say the country’s leading budget carrier will ink a wet lease agreement with Flyadeal, the low-cost unit of Saudia, for the use of Cebu Pacific’s aircraft—marking the first time ever that a Philippine carrier will lease out its planes to a foreign airline for regular commercial operations.

25 May 2025

11:18AM

INSIDER INFO | Large PH gym network closes amid cash woes, alleged fraud

By: Daxim L. Lucas

A viral post from the Facebook group “Gym Membership Transfer Philippines” painted a dire picture of the company’s financial state and business ethics, warning the public: “PSP gym isn't ‘temporarily closed’ because of busted lights or bathroom repairs—those are LIES. The truth? They can’t pay rent.”

20 May 2025

5:48PM

Land development of upscale Southlinks Estate done by Q2 2026, says Height Realty

By: Daxim L. Lucas

Located along Southvale Drive in Las Piñas and covering areas that border Muntinlupa and Parañaque, Southlinks Estate is planned as a low-density, master-planned community with 336 residential lots across 31 blocks.

14 May 2025

4:10PM

Chronicles Port in Batangas begins operations, aims to spur regional growth

By: Daxim L. Lucas

The port features an 82-meter-long jetty with a 14-meter draft, capable of handling vessels of up to 10,000 deadweight tons. Its pier has a load-bearing capacity of three tons per square meter.

13 May 2025

6:37AM

INSIDER INSIGHT | PAL’s fourth president in six years charts confident course

By: Daxim L. Lucas

When Richard Nuttall assumes the presidency of Philippine Airlines later this month, he brings with him more than three decades of global aviation experience, a clear-eyed view of the challenges that lie ahead, and a belief that the country’s flag carrier is in better shape than many might think.

7 May 2025

12:43PM

LT Group’s strong 2024 masks challenges facing empire’s 32-year-old Tan scion

By: Daxim L. Lucas

Lucio Tan Group Inc. delivered steady growth in its second year under the leadership of its president Lucio Tan III, even as the broader Tan business empire contended with persistent challenges in aviation and support services.

5 May 2025

8:48AM

INSIDER INFO | Puregold scion Vincent Co, Bea Alonzo spark power couple talk

By: Daxim L. Lucas

On his private Instagram account, Co recently posted photos from a vacation in Andalucia, Spain, accompanied by an unidentified woman. The intrigue deepened when eagle-eyed observers noticed that actress Bea Alonzo had also posted pictures from the same Spanish location, wearing identical outfits seen in Co’s posts.

28 Apr 2025

11:54AM

INSIDER INFO | Megaworld, Gordon Ramsay bring new street eats to Mactan Newtown

By: Daxim L. Lucas

Sources have confirmed to InsiderPH that two Gordon Ramsay restaurants— Gordon Ramsay Street Burger and Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips — are set to open later this year.