Philippines Business News

Till death do us bark: Pets serve as witnesses at Ecuador weddings

QUITO, Ecuador — When Diana Tupiza and Andres Alquinga decided to get married, they selected a rather unusual witness for the civil wedding ceremony: Luna, their Pekingese pup who stamped her paw print on the marriage certificate. With recently authorized "pet friendly" weddings, Ecuadoran officials are embracing the role of furry friends in modern families. Elsewhere in Latin America, only human witnesses are allowed, although Argentina and Mexico have made a few exceptions. While Luna's

XRP Power Highlights AI-Powered Digital Asset Platform and Shares Community Success Story

TOKYO, Japan, July 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- XRP Power today announced continued development of its AI-powered digital asset platform, designed to provide users with intelligent tools, cloud-based computing services, and educational resources to help them better understand digital asset technologies and AI-driven financial innovation. As interest in artificial intelligence and digital finance continues to grow worldwide, XRP Power says it is focused on providing technology solutions that emph

Tunes Music Inc. Announces Global Expansion of Digital Music Promotion Network from New York Headquarters

NEW YORK, NY, July 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tunes Music Inc., an international digital music promotion and distribution company, today officially announced the expansion of its multi-channel distribution network from its headquarters in New York. This strategic initiative introduces an upgraded suite of systematic promotion services specifically designed to help independent artists and record labels break through the highly saturated digital market. By integrating advanced online media resou

Converge sends Titan Ultra to 2nd straight loss

MANILA, Philippines — Converge got off to an explosive start to its PBA Season 50 Gocernors’ Cup, demolishing Titan Ultra, 105-74 on Sunday at the Ynares Center in Montalban. Jalen Hudson marked his PBA return, firing 20 points, eight rebounds, four assists and four steals in just 28 minutes of work. Archie Concepcion had 16, Justin Arana 14, while Mikey Williams 11 for the FiberXers. The boys of coach Delta Pineda dominated the boards, 67-53, and had solid team play with a 28-19 ass

EPISODE 4

Legal experts split on criminal intent

LEGAL experts are split over whether the prosecution in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte has established criminal intent behind Duterte's alleged grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The trial enters its second week Monday with legal luminaries offering contrasting views on the prosecution’s performance during the trial’s opening phase. The prosecution panel from the House of Representatives concluded its presentation of evidence on the first artic

West Philippine Sea education bill pushed

SEN. Erwin Tulfo on Sunday sought the immediate passage of the West Philippine Sea education bill amid claims of Chinese scholars that Batanes is part of China’s territory. Tulfo sees the passage of Senate Bill 1625, or the proposed “West Philippine Sea Education Act,” which he authored as one of the measures “to repel disinformation about the country’s territory.” SB 1625 mandates the Department of Education (DepEd) to train teachers and educators on WPS Educ

West Philippine Sea education bill pushedWest Philippine Sea education bill pushed

SEN. Erwin Tulfo on Sunday sought the immediate passage of the West Philippine Sea education bill amid claims of Chinese scholars that Batanes is part of China’s territory. Tulfo sees the passage of Senate Bill 1625, or the proposed “West Philippine Sea Education Act,” which he authored as one of the measures “to repel disinformation about the country’s territory.” SB 1625 mandates the Department of Education (DepEd) to train teachers and educators on WPS Educ

Worst of inflation may be over for PH

SURGING inflation appears to have run its course, Nomura Global Research said, but underlying pressures are expected to keep the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on track for further interest rate hikes this year. In its latest Asia Economic Monthly report, Nomura said that easing global oil prices were beginning to pull down headline inflation, although core inflation — which strips out volatile food and energy prices — continues to climb as earlier increases in fuel costs filter t

14 countries show solidarity on arbitral ruling anniversary

THIRTEEN countries on Sunday joined the Philippines in reasserting that China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea are illegal based on a 2016 arbitration ruling. The group affirmed their solidarity in a joint statement they issued on the 10th anniversary of the ruling by a tribunal established in The Hague under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos), saying the landmark decision “is final and legally binding.” In a separate statement, the 27-nation

14 countries show solidarity on arbitral ruling anniversary14 countries show solidarity on arbitral ruling anniversary

THIRTEEN countries on Sunday joined the Philippines in reasserting that China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea are illegal based on a 2016 arbitration ruling. The group affirmed their solidarity in a joint statement they issued on the 10th anniversary of the ruling by a tribunal established in The Hague under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos), saying the landmark decision “is final and legally binding.” In a separate statement, the 27-nation

Alex Eala returns home after historic Wimbledon run

TENNIS ace Alexandra "Alex" Eala returned home Sunday after a historic run at Wimbledon in London, where she became the first Filipino singles player to reach the tournament’s round of 16. Eala was welcomed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) by officials from the Philippine Tennis Association (Philta), Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), along with a group of young Filipino athletes and fans. Accompanying Eala and her parents Mike and R

Eala hits career-high No. 28 in WTA rankings

FILIPINO tennis ace Alexandra "Alex" Eala is set for a new career-high rank of No. 28 once the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) updates its official rankings on Monday. Eala, whose previous career-best ranking was No. 29 last March, sports a total of 1,666 points following her historic Wimbledon run where she became the first Filipino singles player to reach the grass major round of 16 in both the amateur and Open Era. Looking at the live rankings, Eala owns identical total ranking points as Ana

SM governance, sustainability leadership recognized by HK-based Alpha Southeast Asia at 16th annual poll

SM Investments Corp. (SMIC), the parent company of the SM Group, was recognized by Hong Kong-based investment publication Alpha Southeast Asia for its corporate governance and sustainability reporting, reflecting the confidence of investors and analysts in how the company is managed and how it reports its performance. In the publication’s 16th Annual Poll of Southeast Asia’s Top Companies, SM Investments was named the Philippines’ Best in Strategic CSR and ESG Reporting. The co

Villanueva calls for better disaster preparedness

SEN. Joel Villanueva urged concerned government agencies to strengthen disaster preparedness and ensure the timely delivery of assistance to affected communities as the typhoon season starts. Villanueva said on Sunday the government should preposition relief goods, ensure the readiness of evacuation centers, and enhance coordination with local government units and other response agencies. He also called on agencies to continuously review their contingency plans, improve early warning and communi

Govt must not waver in protecting seafarers

THE Philippines has kept its standing as the world’s biggest supplier of mariners, based on the 2026 Seafarer Workforce Report issued by the Baltic and International Maritime Council (Bimco) and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS). The report, considered the most comprehensive assessment of global supply of and demand for seafarers, noted that the country supplied 203,179 officers and 256,968 crewmembers, ahead of India, China, Russia and Indonesia. The five countries make up 56.25

Johnson bags silver medal in Asian U23A

A DAY after establishing the new national record in the women's 400m run, Filipino-American Naomi Kayla Johnson posted a silver medal finish at the 1st Asian U23 Athletics Championships in Ordos, China, Saturday night. Johnson placed second in the final with 52.34 seconds, just 0.24 seconds short of the Philippine record she set during the heats on Friday. Uzbek Jonbibi Hukmova logged 51.19 seconds to win the gold medal, while Jithma Shenari Gamage timed 53.10 for the bronze. A UCLA standout, Jo

SSS taps tech firm to boost microloans

THE Social Security System (SSS) has tapped Standard Economics, a California-based technology company, to help develop a microloan program that will provide members with “faster, safer, and more affordable access to short-term financial assistance.” SSS President and CEO Robert Joseph de Claro said on Sunday that he led other key agency officials in signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) and a non-disclosure agreement with Standard Economics President and CEO Evan Stanley Jones

Two die in Iloilo due to monsoon rains enhanced by Typhoon Inday

TWO persons died in separate incidents in Iloilo province as heavy rains brought by the southwest monsoon, enhanced by Typhoon Inday, brought heavy rains in Western Visayas over the weekend. One of the fatalities was Placido Tabalina, 68, a farmer from Sitio Sidlangan, Barangay Nagba, Tubungan, who was buried by a landslide before dawn on July 12. Initial police investigation showed that Tabalina was sleeping inside his hut when continuous heavy rains triggered a landslide that buried the struct

Winzir unveils biggest anniversary giveaway with BYD Sealion 5, Honda motorcycles

AS online entertainment continues to evolve in the Philippines, customer engagement has become more than just offering games and promotions. For its fourth anniversary, Winzir is elevating the celebration by introducing its largest customer appreciation campaign to date, a weeklong series of events designed to recognize the loyalty and support of its growing community. The anniversary celebration begins with Color Run 2026 on July 18, an event that combines fitness, entertainment, and rewarding

Arbitration led to China’s building of the largest military complex in the SCS

First of two parts TEN years on, the National Security Council still calls the 2016 arbitral ruling a triumph. Former magistrate Antonio Carpio, one of the suit’s architects, praised it as the “largest award of the global commons in the history of Unclos.” President Marcos, the other day, called the ruling “the great equalizer of all nations.” The extreme adulation over a ruling most of the world, even the United Nations have ignored, and not a single provision of w

MSMEs regional summit held to boost economy

CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela — In a bid to help boost micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), government agencies have launched the 4th Regional Summit 2026 at the Capital Arena on July 6 here. In pitching for assistance to small businesses, Trade and Industry Regional Director Sofia Narag said the summit has been in line with the One DTI Services Caravan, which brings together local traders, government agencies, cooperatives, and business enablers to network and scale local enterprises li

Tolentino rejects claim Batanes belongs to China

LABOR Secretary Francis Tolentino has strongly rejected the claim of Chinese academics that Batanes belongs to China through Taiwan, calling the assertions a form of “lawfare” and historical revisionism aimed at undermining Philippine sovereignty. Tolentino, a long-time advocate of Philippine maritime rights and principal author of the Philippine Maritime Zones Law, said that the claim, which surfaced during a symposium in Guangzhou on June 30, had no basis in history, law, or actual

UST, St. John’s gun for 2-0 in Shakey’s Juniors

GUEST team Perfect Set Dream Makers seek a strong introduction in a busy 2026 Shakey’s Juniors National Invitationals Monday playdate at the Playtime FilOil Arena in San Juan. The California-based Dream Makers debut with back-to-back games against One La Salle and University of Santo Tomas, respectively, as thrilling high school volleyball action resumes after a one-day break. Arellano University High School and Pusong Azul open hostilities in the tournament backed by Shakey’s Pizza