Energy Group Says Using Local Gas Could Cut Power Costs by Half
The Petroleum Association of the Philippines (PAP) is urging power generators to prioritize domestic natural gas, arguing it could cut electricity prices roughly in half compared with imported LNG. PAP cites the under‑utilized Malampaya gas fields and the VAT exemption under Republic Act No. 12120 as a ready‑made cost‑saving mechanism. The call comes as lawmakers debate petroleum tax suspensions amid Middle‑East tensions, while the Department of Energy works on the country’s fuel mix. PAP stresses that shifting to indigenous gas also strengthens national energy security.
South Korean Lawmakers Pass Law to Manage Seoul's Pledge of $350 Billion in US Investments
South Korean lawmakers approved a law establishing a public corporation to oversee a $350 billion pledge of U.S. investments, aimed at averting new U.S. tariffs. The agreement, struck in November, allocates $200 billion to semiconductor and high‑tech projects and $150 billion to shipbuilding,...
Philippine Economy Faces ‘Serious’ Contraction From Gas Emissions Cuts—ADB
Asian Development Bank warns the Philippines could experience a serious GDP contraction as it pursues a 75% greenhouse‑gas emissions cut by 2030. The bank’s March 12 report cites high mitigation costs, price pressures and a lack of productivity measures, which...
139,000 Metro Manila Tricycle Drivers First in Line for P5,000 Fuel Aid — DSWD
The Department of Social Welfare and Development will give 139,000 Metro Manila tricycle drivers a ₱5,000 cash subsidy to offset soaring fuel prices. Distribution begins on March 17 at 39 designated payout centers and will be staggered over three days...
Lacson: Filipinos Should Be Loyal to Philippines, Not Other Nations
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo "Ping" Lacson warned that Filipino officials should prioritize national interests over foreign agendas, targeting Senator Rodante Marcoleta for echoing China’s positions. Lacson highlighted the diplomatic boost a non‑permanent UN Security Council seat would give the...
Somerset Valero Makati: A Destination for Luxury and Wellbeing
Somerset Valero Makati, the latest Ascott Limited Philippines launch, offers 182 luxury serviced apartments ranging from 37 to 124 square metres. The development blends upscale living with wellness‑focused features, including a first‑of‑its‑kind WellTech suite equipped with massage chairs and scent...
Jinggoy Estrada Asks Manila RTC’s Permission to Travel Abroad
Senator Jinggoy Estrada filed motions in Manila's regional trial court and the Sandiganbayan to overturn a precautionary hold departure order that bars him from traveling abroad. The PHDO stems from pending plunder, graft and bribery charges linked to alleged flood‑control...
Oil Deregulation Law Needs Guardrails
The 1998 Downstream Oil Industry Deregulation Act removed direct government price controls, fostering competition but leaving the market exposed to global shocks. A recent oil price surge linked to Middle East tensions caused a sharp stock market plunge and is...
4-Day Work Week up in Laguna
Philippine provincial leaders are piloting four‑day work weeks to curb rising operational costs. Governor Sol Aragones of Laguna announced a temporary shift to 7 a.m.–6 p.m. schedules from Monday to Thursday, while keeping frontline and essential services on the traditional five‑day timetable....
House Leadership Files Fuel Excise Tax Suspension Bill; Public Hearing Set Tuesday
House leaders filed HB 8292, allowing the Philippine President to suspend or reduce fuel excise taxes during national or global emergencies, triggered by soaring oil prices linked to Middle East tensions. The bill sets a concrete threshold—Dubai crude at $80 per...
Why Gas Prices Rise Today for Oil Bought Weeks Ago
Philippine fuel retailers set pump prices based on the cost of the next shipment rather than the price they paid weeks ago, using a replacement‑cost accounting model tied to the Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS) benchmark. A mandatory 15‑ to...
Marcos Departs for US Visit on Sunday
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. departs for a working visit to New York on March 8, where he will address the United Nations General Assembly and the Commission on the Status of Women. He will call for peace in the Middle East,...
Truth Is Everyone’s Responsibility
A memorandum of understanding was signed between leading Philippine news outlets and the Presidential Communications Office to tackle the surge of fake news. The article argues that disinformation has become a structural threat to democracy, eroding public trust and distorting...
No Winners in War
The International Day for Disarmament and Non‑Proliferation Awareness coincides with a devastating Middle East conflict, highlighting that war leaves only survivors, not winners. Armed clashes destroy infrastructure, displace populations, and erode social trust, imposing costly reconstruction duties even on victors....
The Price of Impunity
The article argues that impunity—absence of credible consequences—undermines institutions and economic growth, especially in the Philippines. It cites economic theory and cross‑country data showing that weak rule of law depresses investment and fuels inequality. The piece details how political dynasties,...
Ensuring People’s Well-Being Amid Fears of War Escalation
Rising tensions between Iran and Israel have revived concerns over the security of the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for nearly one‑fifth of global oil shipments. Analysts outline three scenarios: a contained but prolonged missile exchange, a broader regional war...
Barangay Skilled Workers Registry Act Gets Penultimate House Nod
The Barangay Skilled Workers Registry Act (HB 7719) cleared its second reading in the House, mandating every barangay to maintain a voluntary, free registry of local skilled workers. Championed by Rep. Jolo Revilla, the bill seeks to make community‑level labor...
PH Looks Forward to South Korea's Continued Support for Infra Projects—Marcos
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. met South Korean President Lee Jae‑Myung in Manila, reaffirming Manila’s expectation of continued Korean support for flagship infrastructure works such as the new Dumaguete Airport, Samar Pacific Coastal Road, Jalaur River Multipurpose Project and Laguna Lakeshore...
Maharlika Stays ‘Business as Usual’ with Saudi, Dubai Partners Despite Middle East War
Maharlika Investment Corp (MIC), the Philippines’ sovereign wealth fund, is maintaining its momentum with Saudi‑backed ACWA Power and Dubai‑based DP World despite the escalating war in the Middle East. The fund’s renewable‑energy MOU, logistics partnership, and a pending 11.2% stake...
Designing the Future
Philippine real estate is entering a new design era focused on regenerative, people‑centric environments that restore ecosystems and enhance wellbeing. Thought leaders highlight AI‑driven optimization, prefabricated construction, and material innovations such as engineered bamboo as key enablers. Mixed‑use, walkable neighborhoods...
Brazil Strengthens Agricultural Partnership with the Philippines at WOFEX Drinks and Bakes 2026
Brazil deepened its agricultural partnership with the Philippines at WOFEX Drinks and Bakes 2026, showcasing five firms that offer value‑added beverages, superfoods, and coffee products. The Brazil Pavilion highlighted innovative, sustainability‑focused offerings such as Amazon‑sourced craft gin, açaí bowls, and...
List of Alert Levels Raised by PH Gov't Across Middle East and What They Mean
The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) released its latest Crisis Alert Levels for Middle‑East nations, placing Palestine, Syria and Yemen at Level 4, Iraq and Lebanon at Level 3, and Iran and Israel at Level 2, while Jordan remains at Level 1 and...
Philippine Bank Deposits Hit ₱21 Trillion as Account Numbers Surge
Total deposit liabilities in the Philippine banking system climbed to ₱20.9 trillion at the end of Q3 2025, a 7.3% year‑on‑year rise driven by a 20.4% surge in deposit accounts to 166.6 million. The increase followed a March 2025 decision to double...
Maynilad Reconsiders ₱30-Billion Plant Site to Sync with Kaliwa Dam
Maynilad Water Services is moving its ₱30 billion Teresa water‑treatment plant from Rizal to a site within its West Zone concession to better align with the upcoming Kaliwa dam. The relocation shortens pipeline distance, aiming to cut non‑revenue water losses and...
Discovery World Invests ₱265 Million to Expand Palawan Properties
Discovery World Corp. is injecting ₱265 million into its Palawan resort portfolio, subscribing to ₱250 million of shares in Euro Pacific Resorts and ₱15 million in Palawan Cove to fund new beachfront developments and bolster working capital. The move also raises JT Perle Corp.'s...
BIR Turns From Taxing to Dismantling Philippine Offshore Gaming
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has moved from taxing to dismantling Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGOs) by issuing a revenue memorandum circular that bans and declares all POGOs illegal, repealing the tax law that previously regulated them. This enforcement...
Philippines Eyes $800-Million ADB Backstop for North-South Commuter Railway Operator
The Philippines is seeking up to $800 million from the Asian Development Bank as a partial credit guarantee to backstop availability payments for the North‑South Commuter Railway (NSCR) operator. The guarantee, equivalent to 24 months of payments, aims to mitigate government...
Nickel Asia Diversifies Into Geothermal, Overseas Investments
Nickel Asia Corp (NAC) posted a 312% jump in net income to ₱6.27 billion, driven by record nickel ore prices and a 56% rise in EBITDA. The company announced three new wholly‑owned subsidiaries to support a geothermal holding entity, a shared‑services...
MUFG: Philippine Trade Costs to Fall After US Court Ruling
MUFG Bank expects U.S. tariffs on Philippine imports to decline following the Supreme Court’s decision that curbed the Trump administration’s emergency‑powers tariff authority. The bank notes that exemptions for high‑value semiconductors and key agricultural products should keep effective trade costs...
Recto Joins PCG Auxiliary
Executive Secretary Ralph Recto was commissioned as an auxiliary vice admiral of the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary during a ceremony aboard BRP Teresa Magbanua, highlighting the administration’s push to strengthen maritime governance. The government allocated ₱42.52 billion to the Coast Guard this year...
PH Joins Japan-Pacific Defense Dialogue for First Time Amid RAA Push
The Philippines joined the 3rd Japan Pacific Islands Defense Dialogue (JPIDD) in Tokyo, marking its first participation in the forum. Led by Defense Assistant Secretary Marita I. Yoro, the delegation discussed humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, climate change and maritime security....
DICT Outlines Massive 18GW Data Center Expansion to Lead ASEAN
Philippines’ Department of Information and Communications Technology announced an 18‑gigawatt data‑center expansion plan over the next decade, aiming to become Southeast Asia’s digital hub. The rollout targets 1.5 GW of new capacity by end‑2027 and at least 1 GW annually thereafter. Investments...
Unicapital Trims PSEi Outlook to 6,800 Amid Corruption Scandal, Policy Risks but Sees 2026 Recovery
Unicapital Securities cut its PSEi year‑end target to 6,800, down from 7,100, after re‑rating the index at a 10.5‑times price‑to‑earnings multiple. The downgrade reflects a lingering corruption scandal that has stalled government infrastructure projects and heightened policy uncertainty, including a...
VP Duterte Impeachment Case Bound to Affect Voters in 2028, Says Luistro
House Justice Committee chair Rep. Gerville Luistro announced that impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte will commence on March 2, a process she says will influence voter sentiment ahead of the 2028 presidential election, where Duterte has already declared her...
Consortia Secure First Philippine Offshore Wind Grid Deals
A consortium led by Seawind Asia, Stream Invest and Triconti ECC Renewables has secured the Philippines’ first offshore wind grid connection agreements. The deals cover three projects—450 MW Frontera Bay, 600 MW Guimaras Strait and 600 MW Guimaras Strait II—totaling 1.65 GW of potential capacity....
Lacson: Senate to Discuss Rules on Dialogue with Chinese Embassy
The Philippine Senate will convene an all‑senators’ caucus on Feb 23 to set ground rules for talks with the Chinese Embassy over the West Philippine Sea dispute, with Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson emphasizing diplomatic courtesy and the possibility of...
Organizers of the Winter Games Made Clean Energy a Priority. Here's How They Did It
The 2026 Milan‑Cortina Winter Olympics have pledged that virtually all electricity powering the Games will come from certified renewable sources. Enel will supply roughly 85 GWh of clean power, using guarantee‑of‑origin certificates to prove its green origin. Infrastructure upgrades, including new...
Philippine Fast-Moving Consumer Goods Spending Growth Seen Slowing in 2026—Study
The Worldpanel by Numerator report projects Philippine FMCG spending to grow only 3‑4% in 2026, a sharp deceleration from last year’s 5.2% rise. The slowdown reflects weaker GDP growth, now seen at 5.3% versus an earlier 6% estimate, and higher...
SEC Moves to Toughen Standards for Philippine Corporate Directors
The Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued a draft memorandum circular proposing stricter training requirements for corporate directors and senior executives. The new framework mandates a comprehensive curriculum that incorporates OECD corporate governance principles, the ASEAN Governance Scorecard,...
AFP Backs Increased US Missile Deployments to Manila for Enhanced Regional Defense Posture
The Armed Forces of the Philippines publicly endorsed the United States’ plan to expand missile and unmanned system deployments following the 12th Philippines‑U.S. Bilateral Strategic Dialogue. The agreement includes the Typhon mid‑range missile launcher and the Navy‑Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction...
AboitizPower Agrees to Supply 30 Megawatts to Negros Cooperative
Aboitiz Power Corp. will supply Northern Negros Electric Cooperative (Noneco) with 30 MW of electricity, combining 10 MW of solar generation and 20 MW of baseload power. The mixed supply aims to meet rising demand in the cooperative’s franchise area while smoothing the...
Expectations Are Low for the Latest US-Brokered Talks Between Russia and Ukraine
Ukrainian and Russian delegations met in Geneva for U.S.-brokered talks, but expectations are low that they will produce a breakthrough before the war's fourth anniversary. Both sides remain entrenched on territorial demands, with Russia insisting on broader land claims and...
Dizon Plans Procurement Overhaul to Lure ‘Legitimate’ Builders Back to DPWH
The Philippine Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will adopt a fast‑track procurement system modeled on the Board of Investments' "green lane" to lure reputable builders back after recent flood‑control contract scandals. Secretary Vince Dizon said the new process...
Mayor Isko Leads Chinese New Year Countdown in Binondo
Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso led the Chinese New Year countdown in Binondo, welcoming Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan and highlighting deepening Philippines‑China ties. He announced that new flights to Cebu will boost tourism, jobs, and business, and reported a...
Single by Choice: Valentine’s Day Is No Longer a Relationship Deadline
New data from Agile Data Solutions shows 68% of single Filipinos are single by choice, a trend the firm calls "Intentional Singlehood." Respondents cite personal, career, and financial goals as primary reasons, while Valentine’s Day elicits neutral feelings for two‑thirds...