Manila's PLDT 2007 core profit above guidance-official

MANILA, March 4 (Reuters) - Core earnings at Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co (PLDT) (TEL.PS: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), the country's most valuable firm, was above the high-end of the company's guidance of 35 billion pesos ($859 million) in 2007, the company chairman said on Tuesday.

PLDT, partly owned by Hong Kong's First Pacific Co Ltd (0142.HK: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and Japan's NTT group (9432.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), had earlier said core earnings, which strip out currency swings and derivative gains, would reach 34.5-35 billion pesos in 2007 against 31.5 billion pesos in 2006.

When asked if core earnings exceeded the 2007 guidance, PLDT Chairman Manuel Pangilinan said in a mobile text message: "Yes".

The company is to announce 2007 earnings later on Tuesday. ($1 = 40.75 pesos)