Amro: Philippines’ Debt Burden to Ease in 2026
Amro projects the Philippines’ debt‑to‑GDP ratio to fall to 62.8% in 2026, down from 63.2% in 2025, but it will stay above the 60% benchmark. Outstanding debt reached a record P18.16 trillion (about $325 billion) in February, highlighting the fiscal strain. Revenue is expected to stay at 15.9% of GDP through 2026, the fourth‑lowest among ASEAN+3 economies, limiting fiscal consolidation. Gross financing needs are forecast to decline to 8.8% of GDP in 2026, easing pressure on the budget.
First Gen Deal ‘Poison Pill’ Under Scrutiny
The majority shareholders of Lopez Inc. are challenging a "poison pill" clause embedded in First Gen Corp.'s P62‑billion (~$1.1 billion) hydropower transaction with Prime Infrastructure Capital. The provision would let Prime Infra buy First Gen's 33% stake at a 25% discount, potentially imposing a...
Nomura Sees 60% Chance of BSP Rate Hikes
Nomura estimates a 60% chance that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas will raise its benchmark rate this year, potentially adding 0.5 percentage points. The first quarter‑point hike could be announced at the April 23 Monetary Board meeting, with a second increase...
IEA Chief Warns of Tougher Month for Energy Markets
IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol warned that April will be tougher for global energy markets as the Middle East war continues to choke supply. No oil cargoes have been loaded from the region this month, and more than 80 energy facilities...
US Hormuz Blockade, Tariffs Jolt China
China called on the United States and Iran to resume negotiations after Washington launched a naval operation to close the Strait of Hormuz and threatened a 50% tariff on China for allegedly supplying air‑defence systems to Tehran. The U.S. also...
California High Court Reinforces Sliding Scale Arbitration Provision Unconscionability Analysis
The California Supreme Court ruled that the visual format of an arbitration clause does not determine its substantive unconscionability, but emphasized that courts must still examine legibility and context for fairness. The decision reaffirmed the sliding‑scale test, where a high...
Hollywood Stars Sign Open Letter Protesting Paramount-Warner Bros Merger
More than 1,000 Hollywood figures, including A‑list actors, directors and writers, signed an open letter opposing Paramount Global and Skydance’s proposed takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery. The signatories argue the merger would shrink the U.S. studio system to four majors,...
Navigating the New EAD Landscape: What HR Professionals Need to Know About Automatic Extension Changes, the One Big Beautiful Bill...
The Department of Homeland Security’s October 30 2025 interim final rule ends automatic extensions for employment authorization documents (EADs) filed on or after that date, while pre‑Oct 30 filings retain a 540‑day grace period. USCIS also reduced the maximum validity of several EAD...
Proposal Will Require Federal Grant Recipients to Certify DEI Compliance Requirements to Register with System for Award Management
The federal government proposes adding new certifications to the System for Award Management (SAM) registration, forcing grant recipients to attest compliance with antidiscrimination laws and to certify they will not recruit illegal aliens or fund terrorism. The change expands the...
Hollywood Is Making yet Another Roblox Movie Adaptation
Disney‑owned 20th Century Studios announced plans to adapt the Roblox horror hit *99 Nights in the Forest* into a live‑action feature film, marking its first game adaptation and the fourth Roblox title pursued by Hollywood. The game, launched in June 2025, has amassed 26 billion lifetime visits and...
IRS Fraud Rings Move Beyond Tax Refund Theft
Cybercriminals are escalating tax fraud by converting stolen identities into bogus businesses, securing legitimate Employer Identification Numbers (EINs) and opening bank accounts. The scheme follows a four‑stage pipeline—identity theft, LLC registration, EIN acquisition, and credit line requests—causing credit applications to...
TruAmerica Obtains Buckhead Apartment Tower At Steep Discount: The Atlanta Deal Sheet
TruAmerica Multifamily acquired The Tower on Piedmont, a 20‑story, 155‑unit apartment tower in Buckhead, for $44.8 M—about a 35% discount to the $69 M price paid in 2021 and far below the $85.8 M 2012 purchase price. The price is only slightly above...
Trump Needs A-10s to Go After Iranian Speedboats and Patrol Ships
The Trump administration has imposed a naval blockade of Iran’s ports, allowing only non‑Iranian vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz. To counter Iran’s 3,000‑4,000 missile‑armed speedboats and 133 patrol ships, officials argue the A‑10 Thunderbolt II is the most suitable...
The Return of Russia Oil Sanctions
The U.S. Treasury let its general‑license waiver on Russian oil expire this weekend, re‑imposing the October sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil. Senate Democrats claim the waiver let Russia earn more than $4 billion, while Treasury officials argue the impact is modest...
IRS Warns Preparers About Misappropriating Refunds
The IRS Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) issued a reminder that tax preparers may not endorse or negotiate federal refund checks, as prohibited by Circular 230 Section 10.31. The guidance targets the common practice of splitting refunds with unbanked or cash‑strapped clients,...
