‘Ban or Not, Coal Power Projects Remain Hard to Scale’
The Ayala Group’s ACEN Corp. warns that new coal‑fired power plants in the Philippines will remain difficult to develop even if the government lifts the current moratorium. CEO Eric Francia cites weak social acceptance and financing gaps as key obstacles, while the Department of Energy argues coal is the cheapest short‑term option amid rising fuel prices. Major local banks have halted financing for greenfield coal projects, and ACEN is focusing on expanding its renewable‑energy portfolio. Coal still supplies over 60% of the nation’s electricity, with renewables at just 25%.
PNB Posts Higher Income in Q1
Philippine National Bank posted Q1 net income of 6.37 billion PHP (≈$115 million), a 5% year‑on‑year increase, propelled by 6% gains in both net interest and fee income. The loan book expanded 15% to fuel earnings, while deposits rose to 1.01 trillion PHP...
What Vietnam’s AI Law Teaches Us
Vietnam enacted its first standalone AI law on March 1, 2026, creating a risk‑based tiered framework that mirrors the EU AI Act but emphasizes national security and data sovereignty. The law bans "unacceptable" systems, subjects high‑risk applications in health, education and finance...
Are 'Pass-Through' Charges Meralco-Imposed? Concessionaire Says No
Manila Electric Company (Meralco) clarified that the additional line‑item charges appearing on customers’ electricity bills are not company‑imposed fees but government‑mandated “pass‑through” expenses. These charges cover cross‑subsidies such as senior‑citizen discounts, the Lifeline Rate for 4Ps beneficiaries, feed‑in tariff allowances...
Misleading Review on E-Cigarettes Slammed
Health and academic experts in the UK have denounced a recent qualitative risk assessment that labeled nicotine‑based e‑cigarettes as “likely carcinogenic to humans.” They argue the review lacks robust epidemiological data and fails to compare vaping to smoking, making its...
SEC Likely to Keep P1 Million Minimum Capital for Lending
The Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission is expected to retain the P1 million (≈ $18,200) minimum paid‑up capital rule for lending firms that do not run online lending platforms (OLPs). At the same time, the agency plans to restrict such low‑capital entities...
Pax Silica
The United States has launched the Pax Silica coalition, a 12‑nation alliance aimed at building a resilient silicon supply chain from raw minerals to AI infrastructure. A pilot Economic Security Zone covering 1,618 hectares in Clark New City, Philippines, will serve...
Structural Reforms for Long-Term Progress
The Philippines government has rolled out a series of short‑term relief measures, including a grocery price freeze until May 10 and temporary loan‑payment grace periods, to cushion households from rising costs. Inflation surged to 4.1% in March 2026, driven largely by...
PSE to Ease Initial Listings of Pref Shares
The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) has proposed cutting the minimum offer size for initial listings via preferred shares from PHP 1 billion (≈$18 million) to PHP 100 million (≈$1.8 million). It also reduces the required number of shareholders from 1,000 to 100 and adjusts...
ASEAN for Peace and Prosperity, Trade with China
ASEAN’s 14‑point chair statement, issued by the Philippines, reiterates a commitment to peace, open trade and regional energy resilience, highlighting frameworks such as the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement, Power Grid and Trans‑ASEAN Gas Pipeline. The Philippines, while chairing ASEAN, is...
New Clark City Tagged as AI Hub for Philippines' Pax Silica Entry
The Philippines has joined the U.S.-led Pax Silica coalition and earmarked a 4,000‑acre portion of New Clark City as a “Golden Node,” an AI‑native investment hub. The designation positions the 9,450‑hectare smart, green city as the coordination center for AI research,...
UK’s BII Defies Risks, Stays All-In on Philippines
British International Investment (BII) reaffirmed its commitment to the Philippines despite global oil shocks and a high‑profile corruption scandal. Managing director Rohit Anand emphasized the firm’s counter‑cyclical approach, arguing that energy security and renewable development remain strategic priorities. BII has...
Industry Groups Flag Rising Chicken Imports From China
Chinese chicken meat shipments to the Philippines have surged, reaching 20,904 metric tons in 2025, according to USDA data. Although a ban on Chinese poultry has been in effect since 2014, industry groups allege that fully cooked products are being...
Philippines Lacks Fiscal Room for Supplemental Budget, Detrimental to Deficit – CPBRD
The Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department warned that the Philippines lacks fiscal space for any supplemental budget, even as lawmakers propose a P400 billion “Bayanihan 3” stimulus to offset Middle East‑related oil shocks. Adding the proposed funds would push the 2026...
A Fruitas a Day: Lester Yu Adds Star Power to Fuel Growth
Fruitas Holdings Inc., the Philippines‑based food‑and‑beverage chain, announced a 20% sales growth target for 2026, backed by a $2.1 million capital‑expenditure plan to open 80‑100 new stores. The company secured actor Alden Richards as its latest brand endorser, hoping his boy‑next‑door...
USA Wins
The U.S. market surged despite the Feb. 28 Iran‑Israel conflict, with the S&P 500 hitting a record 7,126 and the Nasdaq closing at a 13‑day high. Consumer spending remained robust, evident in packed theme parks, sold‑out sports events, and bustling grocery stores....
Ayala-Led Data Center Builder Inks Supply Deal with Meralco
STT Telemedia Global Data Centers (STT GDC), a joint venture of Ayala Corp., Globe Telecom and STT Global, signed a 10‑year agreement with Meralco’s retail arm MPower to supply up to 40.5 MW of renewable electricity for its Philippine data‑center portfolio....
Prime Infrastructure Plants Tapped to Supply Power After Outages
The Philippines Department of Energy enlisted three Prime Infrastructure‑owned natural‑gas plants to bolster Luzon’s grid after forced outages forced a yellow alert. Prime CoreGen, which acquired the plants from First Gen in 2025, ran its 1,000 MW Sta. Rita, 450 MW San Gabriel and 97 MW...
Expensive Medicines
The Philippines’ prescription‑drug market is plagued by extreme price inflation, with some medicines marked up by as much as 273% before a 12% tax. A handful of retailers and wholesalers dominate the supply chain, capturing 40‑60% of drug costs and...
Marcos Suspends LPG, Kerosene Excise Taxes for 3 Months
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order No. 114, suspending excise taxes on LPG and kerosene for three months, effective immediately. The suspension applies except when LPG is used for petrochemicals or motive power and when kerosene serves aviation fuel....
Jollibee’s Compose Coffee Off to Hot Start in Taiwan
Jollibee Foods Corp.’s South Korean coffee brand Compose Coffee reported a strong pre‑opening turnout at its first Taiwan store, indicating robust consumer demand. The brand, which now operates about 3,000 outlets worldwide, plans to leverage its simple, value‑focused store model...
Marcos Issues Negative List for Foreign Investments
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos issued Executive Order 113, unveiling the Philippines' 13th regular foreign‑investment negative list. The order replaces the 2022 list and delineates activities fully closed to foreign capital (List A) and those with capped foreign equity (List B). Key sectors...
Positioning Between Relief and Risk
A two‑week conditional cease‑fire between the United States and Iran has lifted the immediate tail‑risk of the Middle East conflict, causing global equities to rally and oil prices to retreat. First Metro Securities frames the situation as a macro‑transmission story...
Election Ad Spending Drives up GMA Profit in 2025
GMA Network Inc. posted a 6% rise in net income to PHP2.2 billion (≈$40 million) in 2025, driven by a 3% jump in revenue to PHP18.12 billion (≈$326 million). Political advertising during the mid‑term elections lifted advertising sales to PHP16.57 billion, representing over 90% of...
SBMA to Reduce Tariff, Cargo Charges by 5% Amid Middle East Conflict
The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority announced a temporary 5% cut to tariffs, cargo charges and related fees at the Port of Subic, alongside extended free‑storage periods, to offset cost pressures from the Middle East conflict. The relief package also waives...
‘Philippines Fintech Infrastructure Still Weak Despite Widespread Usage’
A new Kaya Founders report finds that despite over 70 million Filipino e‑wallet users, the Philippines’ fintech infrastructure remains fragmented and costly. Transaction fees range from $0.18 to $0.90 per payment, far above the near‑free rates of India’s UPI and Brazil’s...
Metrobank Raises P35 Billion via Asean Bonds
Metrobank listed P35 billion (about $625 million) of ASEAN Sustainability Bonds, its largest peso‑denominated issuance. The 1.5‑year Series F bonds carry a 5.4727% fixed coupon and attracted orders roughly seven times the P5 billion base amount, prompting an early close of the offer. Proceeds...
Despite Middle East Crisis, 7-Eleven on Track with 5,000th Store
Philippine Seven Corp., the exclusive 7‑Eleven licensee in the Philippines, is on track to open more than 500 new stores in 2026, positioning the chain to reach its 5,000‑store milestone by year‑end. The network grew to 4,491 locations at the...
Price Tracker: Oil, Fuel Monitor for Apr. 13
The Philippine Department of Energy announced a sharp rollback of retail fuel prices for the week of April 14‑20, 2026. Diesel is set to fall by ₱20.89 per litre (about $0.38), gasoline by ₱4.43 ($0.08) and kerosene by ₱8.50 ($0.15)....
From Mountains to Cities, More Pinoys Shift to Solar
Filipino families are increasingly turning to solar power to curb soaring electricity bills and mitigate frequent blackouts caused by severe weather. In the remote barangay of Laiban, Rizal, the elementary school now runs entirely on solar, enabling uninterrupted classes and...
Reytech Raises Standards in Philippines Construction with Top ISO Marks
Reytech Construction & Development Corp. secured three international ISO certifications—ISO 9001 for quality management, ISO 45001 for occupational health and safety, and ISO 14001 for environmental management—following rigorous audits in 2025. The certifications were granted by Europe‑based A Cube TIC, underscoring Reytech’s adherence to global...
House Reso Filed as State Economist Flags 'Excessive' Oil Margins
Philippines’ Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan warned that oil‑industry margins appear excessive amid a global price shock, prompting a House probe. House Senior Deputy Minority Leader Leila de Lima filed Resolution 914 to task the Energy Committee with investigating diesel and...
How Philippines Compares with ASEAN Neighbors During Oil Shocks
The Philippines is markedly more exposed to global oil price spikes than its ASEAN peers because it imports virtually all of its crude and lacks significant refining capacity. Neighboring economies such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam each have...
SM Offices Saves More Water in 2025 Through Recycling Initiatives
SM Offices, the leasing arm of SM Prime Holdings, reported saving over 185,000 cubic meters of water in 2025 through expanded recycled‑water systems. The company reclaimed 57,190 m³ from stand‑alone offices and 128,700 m³ from mall‑integrated sites, enough to supply 775 average...
Putting People’s Money to Good Use
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) completed Phase 1 of the 23.8‑km EDSA rehabilitation two months ahead of schedule, finishing the vehicle‑lane work by April 6. By using targeted re‑blocking, night‑time shifts and high‑grade stone‑mastic asphalt, the project cost fell...
BSP to Wait for Clearer Signals Before Acting
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) will adopt a wait‑and‑see approach ahead of its April 23 policy meeting, citing the need for clearer evidence of second‑round inflation from the current global oil shock. March inflation accelerated to 4.1 percent, overshooting the central...
FDI Inflows Drop to Four-Month Low
Foreign direct investment into the Philippines plunged 39.2% in January, reaching $443 million – the lowest level in four months. All major FDI components posted year‑on‑year declines, with equity and fund shares down 41.1% and reinvested earnings falling 56.6%. Japan topped...
PSE Chief Confident of Market Recovery From Mideast Woes
Philippine Stock Exchange chief Ramon Monzon said the market will rebound despite the Middle East conflict, citing stronger reserves and a manageable debt profile. He highlighted that the Philippines now holds enough foreign reserves to cover seven months of exports,...
ADB Trims 2026 Philippines Growth Outlook to 4.4 Percent
The Asian Development Bank’s April 2026 outlook lowered its Philippines GDP growth projection to 4.4% for the current year, down from the 5.3% forecast made in December. The downgrade is driven by uncertainty from the Middle East conflict and higher...
Up to P25.6 Billion Seen to Be Saved From Cut in Non-Essential Expenses
The Philippine Department of Budget and Management (DBM) projects up to PHP 25.6 billion (≈ $460 million) in savings by slashing non‑essential maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) from March to December 2026. The cuts, mandated by Circular 114 and Executive Order 110, are intended to...
Lasting Economic Costs of War
The International Monetary Fund warned that wars inflict deep, lasting economic damage, with output in conflict zones falling about 3% at the start and accumulating roughly 7% losses over five years—exceeding the impact of financial crises or natural disasters. Rising...
Government Eyes P60 Billion Fiscal Support for EVs
The Philippine government is drafting a P60 billion (≈$1.1 billion) fiscal incentive package under the new Electric Vehicle Incentive Strategy (EVIS), slated for an executive order before the July State of the Nation Address. EVIS will allocate four slots, each offering P15 billion...
PAL Resumes Flights to Riyadh
Philippine Airlines (PAL) announced today that it will resume daily nonstop flights between Manila and Riyadh, becoming the first Philippine carrier to restore service to the Middle East after a weeks‑long suspension triggered by the Feb. 28 US‑Israel attacks on Iran....
Sun Life Philippines Leadership Transition Marks Continuity, Growth and People-First Future
Sun Life Philippines announced a leadership change, appointing JJ Moreno as CEO and country head effective April 1, while former chief Benedict Sison will stay on as strategic advisor until the end of 2026. The insurer highlighted its continued dominance...
2.66 Million Filipinos Jobless in February 2026
The Philippine Statistics Authority reported 2.66 million unemployed Filipinos in February 2026, lowering the unemployment rate to 5.1 % from 5.8 % in January. Employment rose to 49.43 million, while under‑employment remained at 11.8 % (5.84 million workers seeking more hours). The services sector continued to dominate,...
Maharlika Has P68 Billion in Investible Funds – Consing
Maharlika Investment Corp. (MIC) reports it retains roughly $1.2 billion in deployable capital after deploying about $180 million from its initial funding. The fund’s interest income jumped to $50 million in 2024, and it paid $26 million in dividends, reflecting strong earnings from its...
When Rules Meet Reality: How Recent BIR Issuances Are Reshaping Tax Audit Administration
The Philippine Bureau of Internal Revenue issued Revenue Memorandum Order 6‑2026 and Revenue Memorandum Circular 14‑2026 to clarify and operationalize the Single‑Instance Audit Framework. The circular confirms that replacement letters of authority do not create new audit powers or expand the audit...
Lopez Majority Lambasts Piki’s Business Decisions
The Lopez family, holding 71% of Lopez Inc., publicly rebuked Federico “Piki” Lopez for selling a 60% stake in First Gen’s natural‑gas assets to Prime Infrastructure for roughly $900 million and then cutting his 40% minority interest in Prime’s hydropower business to...
St. Luke’s Stays on Track with Massive Expansion
St. Luke's Medical Center announced it will proceed with a massive expansion despite rising costs from the Middle East crisis. The group plans to break ground on a new 500‑bed Aseana hospital in Parañaque costing about P18 billion (≈$324 million) with an...
Why Internal Customers Are Important than External
The article argues that internal customers—employees who receive work from other departments—are more critical than external patrons because they shape the quality of the final product. Drawing on Kaizen and Lean principles, it stresses the "next process" concept, where each...