THE Philippine Stock Exchange Index rose for the first time in four trading days, gaining 27.42, or 0.9 percent, to 3,190.67 as of the close in Manila. The following were among the most active stocks in the Philippine market Tuesday.

Bellwether stocks: The biggest and most widely held stocks gained after Finance Secretary Gary Teves said the Philippines aims to cut debt to 54 percent of the gross domestic product in 2008 and reduce it further to 43 percent by 2010, without citing a comparative figure for 2007.

“Any good news on the economic side brings in positive sentiment in the stock market,” said Rico Gomez, who helps manage $1 billion in assets at Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. in Manila.

Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co., the nation’s biggest stock and also known as PLDT, rose 20 pesos, or 0.7 percent, to 2,940.

Bank of the Philippine Islands, the largest Philippine lender by market value, rose 1 peso, or 1.8 percent, to 58.

Megaworld Corp., the second-largest Philippine developer, rose 5 centavos, or 2 percent to 2.60 pesos.

Pacific Online Systems Corp. (LOTO PM), which leases equipment used by the state-operated Philippine lottery, rose 30 centavos, or 3 percent, to P10, after the company said it acquired 300 more lotto terminals.

PhilWeb Corp. (WEB PM), a unit of Philippine Long Distance Co., rose 0.2 centavos, or 4.9 percent, to 4.30 centavos after the Internet gaming company said profit rose by more than half in 2007 from a year earlier. (Bloomberg)

HSBC Holdings Plc, Europe’s largest bank, plans to hire 20 percent more workers in the Philippines as the nation’s fastest economic growth in more than three decades fuels demand for financial services.

US film company now in RP

A U.S.-BASED film company announced it will soon establish its Philippine operations. Besides intending to take advantage of the country’s high-quality talent, the company—through its local unit—will also bring technical skills and proper strategies to the entertainment industry, which may provide alternative investment opportunities for local entrepreneurs.

SALES from high-end condominium projects and lease income from office buildings increased profits of Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC), the real-estate business of the Gokongwei-led conglomerate JG Summit Holdings Inc.

WEEKS after failing to get major BPO player PeopleSupport, Inc., listed IPVG Corp. said Tuesday it has acquired a controlling stake in MEGAMobile, Inc., a local mobile-technology provider and content developer.

THE Philippine Stock Exchange Index rose for the first time in four trading days, gaining 27.42, or 0.9 percent, to 3,190.67 as of the close in Manila. The following were among the most active stocks in the Philippine market Tuesday.

Section 21 of the Corporation Code of the Philippines provides that all persons who assume to act as a corporation knowing it to be without authority to do so shall be liable as general partners for all debts,