On the Right Track
The Middle East conflict jolted global oil markets, exposing the Philippines’ heavy reliance on imported crude—about 98% from the region—and driving inflation above 7%. In response, the government is accelerating a shift toward indigenous renewables such as solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal, while offering incentives for electric vehicles. MUFG Bank is backing this transition with green loans and standby letters of credit, financing floating solar, pumped‑storage hydropower and other ESG‑linked projects worth roughly $5 billion. Analysts see the move as essential for energy security and economic stability.
PCCI Fights Proposed ₱240 Airport Fee over Tourism Risks
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) has opposed a proposed ₱240 ($4) immigration fee tied to the ₱10.74‑billion (≈$193 million) Civil Aviation and Immigration Security Services (CAISS) public‑private partnership project. PCCI argues the Bureau of Immigration should fund border‑control...
AI Humanoid Robots Showcased at Davao City SP Session
Davao City officials unveiled two three‑foot AI humanoid robots during a city council session, signaling the municipality’s ambition to become the Philippines’ first AI‑centric city. The demonstration highlighted the robots’ conversational abilities and even a dance performance to Michael Jackson’s...
Philippines Unifies Digital Banking with InstaPay, PesoNet Operators Merger
The Philippines' two largest payment‑clearing operators, BancNet and the Philippine Clearing House Corp., received SEC and BSP approval to merge, creating Payments Network of the Philippines Inc. (PNPI). BancNet will be the surviving entity, keeping its ATM brand, while PCHC’s...
PRO-8 Inaugurates Solar Power System
The Police Regional Office‑8 inaugurated a 48‑kilowatt three‑phase solar photovoltaic system at Camp Ruperto Kangleon in Leyte, cutting its grid electricity consumption by 95 percent and providing a more resilient power source. The hybrid setup combines solar generation with electricity from...
AMRO Flags Rising Philippine Stagflation Risk as Stronger Inflation Pass-Through Threatens Consumption
The ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) lowered its 2026 Philippine growth forecast to 4.1% and raised its inflation outlook to an average 6%, signaling a potential stagflationary episode. The higher inflation pass‑through is expected to erode household consumption, the engine...
Back to Pre-War Levels? Big-Time Oil Price Rollback Set
The Philippine Department of Energy announced a mandatory rollback of fuel prices on June 2, cutting diesel by ₱9.26 (~$0.17) per liter, gasoline by ₱4.76 (~$0.09), and kerosene by ₱10.86 (~$0.20). The cuts reverse a string of weekly hikes triggered...
Meet Joli, the Singer Behind the Viral Song ‘Palayo Sa Mundo’
Cebu‑born singer‑songwriter Jolianne Salvado, known as Joli, broke out with the TikTok‑viral hit “Palayo Sa Mundo,” a collaboration with Arthur Nery. The 21‑year‑old signed a record deal at 17 and released her debut EP “Plain Girl,” which chronicles her transition...
Team Liquid Downs Falcons, Completes First-Ever MPL PH Three-Peat
Team Liquid defeated Team Falcons 4‑2 at the San Juan Arena on May 31, 2026, becoming the first team to achieve a three‑peat in MPL Philippines history. Sanford “Sanford” Vinuya was named Finals MVP after a decisive Game 5 performance, while rookie...
Experimental Pill Promises New Hope for Deadly Pancreatic Cancer
Researchers reported that the experimental pill daraxonrasib, which blocks mutated KRAS proteins, nearly doubled median survival for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer to 13.2 months versus 6.7 months on chemotherapy. The drug showed fewer severe side effects and improved quality...
Ukraine Hits Russian Energy Targets and Denies Striking Kremlin-Occupied Nuclear Plant
Ukraine launched a series of drone attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, igniting a fire at a Rosneft oil refinery in Saratov and setting a fuel storage depot ablaze in the Rostov region, prompting evacuations. Kyiv denied Russian claims that a...
Capital Economics Sees Philippine Growth Hitting Post-Pandemic Low of 3% Amid Corruption Scandal, Mideast War
Capital Economics projects Philippine GDP growth slipping to 3% in 2024, the lowest level since the pandemic, as a multi‑billion‑peso (≈ $50 million) flood‑control corruption scandal and the ongoing Middle East war dampen confidence. First‑quarter growth slowed to 2.8% and the peso...
Where Medical Expertise Meets Advanced Skin Care: Manila Doctors Hospital Now Offers Skin and Laser Services
Manila Doctors Hospital (MDH) has opened a hospital‑based Skin and Laser Center within its Aesthetics Center, delivering medical‑grade dermatology and laser procedures under clinical supervision. Led by chief dermatologist Dr. Cindy Jao Tan and a team of board‑certified specialists, the...
Ferrari Gifts Pope Leo XIV with New Luce... Steering Wheel
Ferrari unveiled its first all‑electric supercar, the Luce, at a ceremony in Castel Gandolfo and presented the vehicle to Pope Leo XIV. The €520,000 ($567,000) model features a steering wheel designed by Apple’s Jony Ive, which was gifted to the Pontiff as a symbolic...
Our Solar Roof Costs Us More per Kilowatt
A Filipino household that fully funded a rooftop solar system generated 932 kWh last month but only purchased 471 kWh from the grid. Because the Energy Regulatory Commission’s Resolution 15 bases mandatory fees on total consumption (932 kWh + 471 kWh = 852 kWh), the utility charged a higher per‑kilowatt‑hour...
Tolentino’s Test: Balancing Workers’ Interest and Economic Survival
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed former mayor and senator Francis Tolentino as secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment amid soaring inflation and mounting wage pressures in the Philippines. Tolentino faces the dual challenge of addressing workers’ demands for...
Reviewing Our Economic History Can Help Us Weather Economic Crises
The Philippines has breached the P60 per USD threshold (≈$1.09), pushing import costs higher and stoking stagflation fears. The author recalls four past economic cycles—from the 1980s peso surge and 50% inflation to the 1997 Asian crisis and the pandemic—showing how...
Steadying the PH Economy Amid Gathering Headwinds
Entering the second half of 2026, the Philippines remains one of Southeast Asia’s more resilient economies, buoyed by strong domestic consumption, remittances, and ongoing infrastructure spending. However, rising geopolitical tensions and a volatile domestic political climate pose fresh risks, especially...
A Call for More Food Banks (Part 2)
The Balik Lusog program operated in Barangay Poblacion, Muntinlupa from Jan. 26 to Mar. 19, 2026, delivering daily school‑day meals through a Food Rescue Kitchen ecosystem. Partnerships with Century Pacific, Max’s Group, San Miguel Foundation and others supplied protein, carbs and vegetables, while volunteers...
Profit Is Good, but Is Cash Better?
Cash flow, not just profit, is the lifeblood of any business, from neighborhood sari‑sari stores to multinational conglomerates. Under accrual accounting, earnings can appear strong while cash is tied up in inventory, receivables, or capital expenditures, creating hidden liquidity risks....
The Story of the One Pair of Shoes
At the Yugto 2026 commencement of the CARD MRI Development Institute in Tagum, 282 senior‑high graduates heard Dr. Jasmin J. Neri, TESDA Davao del Norte director, recount a childhood memory of three sisters sharing a single pair of shoes. She...
SM Group Consolidates Logistics, Conventions Grid
2GO Group has deepened its partnership with SMX Convention Center, embedding its multimodal shipping, customs brokerage, and passenger‑travel services into SMX’s venue portfolio across the Philippines. The integrated offering will serve domestic and international exhibitors needing cargo movement, booth‑construction supplies,...
DOE: New Green Energy Auctions Spark Strong Developer Interest
The Philippines Department of Energy (DOE) launched the sixth Green Energy Auction, introducing the first competitive tender for waste‑to‑energy projects. The program will offer 230 MW of biomass‑fueled capacity with a reserve price of ₱8.0167 per kWh (approximately $0.14) and requires...
Artelia Philippines Accelerates PH’s Energy Transition with Integrated Solutions for Sustainable Infrastructure
Artelia Philippines, an engineering and project‑management consultancy, is realigning its services to support the Philippines’ 50 percent renewable energy goal and the $47 billion Build Better More infrastructure pipeline. The firm offers decarbonization, net‑zero and retrofit pathways that span the entire energy...
Vaccines: Our Act of Love for Every Child
The Department of Health launched World Immunization Week in San Juan, Philippines, marking the 50th anniversary of the national immunization program. Mayor Francis Zamora highlighted the city’s effort to deliver 250 routine and catch‑up vaccine doses, targeting infants, students, pregnant...
The AI World of Today
Artificial intelligence has moved from novelty to core infrastructure across media, entertainment, and tech. OpenAI’s GPT‑5.3 Codex is being used to self‑improve, while platforms like Moltbook host AI‑only conversations. Major institutions—from Getty Images to the Oscars—have begun banning AI‑generated content,...
The Right to Ride Alone
The article contrasts wheelchair accessibility in London’s public transport with the Philippines’ capital, Manila, where legal rights exist but implementation lags. London’s buses and designated spaces allow independent travel, despite occasional infrastructure gaps. In Manila, broken sidewalks, non‑functional ramps, and...
Yamsuan Mindful of Anxiety, Depression Among College Students; Files Bill
Representative Brian Raymund Yamsuan introduced House Bill 7354 to create a Mental Health Office in every State University and College (SUC) across the Philippines, providing dedicated counseling, hotlines, and suicide‑prevention programs for college students. The proposal builds on the Department...
Meet the 13-Year-Old Author Whose Mystery Novel Is a Love Letter to Davao City
Thirteen‑year‑old Malaika Cuezon turned her lifelong dream into reality with the release of Diola Code, a mystery novel set in her hometown of Davao City. The story follows Drew, a non‑verbal girl who deciphers a car‑accident mystery using Morse code,...
Stocks Slump as Marcos Flags Growth Risks, Tolerates Food Price Hikes
Philippine stocks slipped modestly as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. warned that persistent global supply disruptions could push the economy toward stagflation. The benchmark PSEi closed at 5,893.40, down 0.06%, with thin trading of 1.24 billion shares valued at roughly $102 million. In a...
Reality Check Needed for Philippine Energy Policy
The 2026 Middle East conflict has exposed the Philippines’ heavy dependence on imported fossil fuels, triggering the world’s first declared national energy emergency. Imported natural gas now accounts for roughly 55% of primary energy, while power‑generation self‑sufficiency has slipped to...
Singapore’s Vena Energy Starts P24-Billion Philippine Solar Projects
Singapore‑based Vena Group has broken ground on two utility‑scale solar projects in Ilocos Norte, Philippines, with a combined investment of about ₱24.3 billion (≈$440 million). The Astra Solar Power Project will cost ₱3.76 billion (≈$68 million) and generate roughly 142 GWh annually, enough for 120,000...
Lessons in Resilience From Filipino Entrepreneurs
The Philippines' economy grew just 2.8% in the first quarter of 2026, its slowest pace since the pandemic. Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) – which employ the majority of Filipinos – are feeling the strain of higher fuel costs...
Investment in Public Safety
The Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) is undergoing a strategic overhaul under new director PBGen Maranan, backed by PNP Chief Gen. Jose Nartatez. The Advisory Board is driving reforms in character formation, curriculum, faculty development, and leadership systems to professionalize the police force....
SMGP Taps ₱30-Billion Bond War Chest to Accelerate Renewable Energy Projects
San Miguel Global Power Holdings (SMGP) raised a ₱30 billion (~$540 million) bond, allocating nearly half (₱14.84 billion, about $267 million) to solar and hydro projects as part of its renewable‑energy push. The funding also supports a 200‑MW baseload supply contract with Meralco that...
Gov’t Infra Spending Plunges 44% as Graft Crackdown Halts Projects
The Philippines’ infrastructure outlays plunged 43.5% in Q1, falling to ₱147.8 billion (≈ $2.7 bn) from ₱261.8 billion a year earlier. March spending halved to ₱59.1 billion (≈ $1.1 bn) as the Department of Public Works and Highways tightened billing validation after a flood‑control graft scandal. Total...
Blame Game on Blackouts: Who’s Really at Fault?
The Philippines endured rotational blackouts lasting up to three hours as the Ilijan gas plant’s 500‑kV lines tripped, prompting the Department of Energy (DOE) to order a detailed report from grid operator NGCP. DOE officials blamed NGCP for delayed reporting,...
Jollibee Dismisses Price Hike Risks as US Franchise Demand Surges
Jollibee Foods Corp says its modest menu price hikes will not erode demand as it pivots to an aggressive, franchise‑led global expansion. CFO Richard Shin explained the adjustments are calibrated to absorb rising inventory costs while preserving gross margins and...
Spanish Chefs and Culinary Experts Bring Premium Gastronomy to Manila
Spain Fusion: The Premium Experience, hosted at The Westin Manila on April 20, gathered top Spanish chefs, including Albert Adrià and Ricard Camarena, alongside local talent Chele González. Organized by Vocento Gastronomía and backed by Foods and Wines from Spain,...
Dealing with Grief
Mayor‑author Dr. [Name] reflects on three personal losses—a stillborn daughter, a cousin’s death from cancer, and the recent passing of Governor Nina’s husband—to illustrate how grief strips life to its core and defies timelines. He argues that grief is not a...
Equality Begins by Ending the Infidelity Double Standard
The Philippines’ Revised Penal Code still treats marital infidelity with a gender bias: adultery criminalizes a single act by a married woman, while concubinage requires a husband to meet stricter conditions and carries lighter penalties. Supreme Court justices in 2025...
My Mommy, My Superhero
Former Department of Budget and Management secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman paid tribute to her mother, Nancy "Mommy Olay" Pangandaman, describing her as a quiet superhero whose daily acts of love shaped Pangandaman’s values. The piece references Pangandaman’s recent honors—a Feb. 20, 2025...
Shield or Surrender
The International Criminal Court confirmed an arrest warrant for Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, accusing him of crimes against humanity linked to the Duterte era drug war. Philippine constitutional immunity only covers offenses punishable by up to six years, which...
Philippine Data Center Boom Attracts $170-Million IFC Investment
International Finance Corp. (IFC) is set to invest up to $170 million in YCO Global Cloud Centers to expand data center capacity beyond Metro Manila. The package includes a $20 million quasi‑equity stake and $150 million in senior loans for two 50 MW facilities...
Deutsche Bank Flags Dual Inflation Risks From ‘Super’ El Niño, Middle East War
Deutsche Bank Research now sees a "super" El Niño persisting through July, adding to inflation pressure in the Philippines already heightened by the Middle East war. The bank lifted its 2024 inflation forecast to 6.5%, above the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas'...
Iloilo City Power Utility Introduces First Unmanned Substation
MORE Power, the sole electricity distributor in Iloilo City, launched the Philippines’ first fully unmanned 30‑megavolt‑ampere substation. The facility is controlled remotely from a central control centre using a sophisticated SCADA platform that monitors load flow, voltage and equipment health...
PSEi up on Cautious Bargain-Hunting
The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) climbed 0.43% to 5,986.85 on May 11, driven by bargain‑hunting after first‑quarter earnings releases. Property stocks led the gains while conglomerates and miners lagged, and trading volume was thin—about 1.28 billion shares worth roughly $99 million. In...
Lawyer Seeks UK Visa Cancellation of Foreigner Facing Charges in PH Court
A Philippine lawyer has asked the British embassy to cancel the UK resident visa of London‑based businessman Adel En Nouri, who faces multiple arrest warrants for qualified human trafficking, large‑scale illegal recruitment, estafa and serious illegal detention. The lawyer also...
KATSEYE’s Manon Confirmed as Guest Judge on 'Germany’s Next Top Model'
Manon, a member of K‑pop group KATSEYE, will serve as a guest judge on Germany's Next Top Model when the episode airs on May 14, marking her first public appearance since a February hiatus from the group. The appearance, previewed in...
What Brings Moms the Most Joy? Celebrity Mothers Share Their Favorite Moments
Manila Bulletin Lifestyle interviewed a roster of Filipino celebrity mothers, asking them to name the moments that bring them the most joy. The women—Marian Rivera, Solenn Heussaff, Chesca Garcia‑Kramer, Dimples Romana and Rica Peralejo—consistently highlighted ordinary, everyday scenes such as...