MANILA, Philippines – Local shares closed lower Wednesday, weighed by continuing uncertainty on how the massive quake and nuclear explosions in Japan will affect regional economies. The main gauge Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) ended 0.4% down at 3,878.44 points even as advancers beat decliners 68 to 60, while 40 issues were unchanged. "There might still be some downside today but any decline will be supported by bargain hunters," says Jun Calaycay, a trader with Accord Capital Equities. Among the most active stocks were PLDT, down 4.2% at P2,070; Energy Development, up 0.3% at P6.20, and SM Investments, up 0.1% at P515. (Dow Jones)