Philippines Business News

Swedish firms in PHL cite need for clear rules, sustainability norms

SWEDISH COMPANIES operating in the Philippines want clearer regulations, including those that align with sustainability best practices, as key to maintaining investor confidence, according to the Embassy of Sweden in Manila. “Just from the perspective of Swedish firms, the important thing that they will be looking at are transparent rules that are justly implemented, (and adherence […]

Steel lobby pushing for shorter timeline to comply with quake-resistance standards

THE Philippine Iron and Steel Institute (PISI) asked on the government to reduce the transition period for builders to comply with seismic resistance standards for steel. In a letter addressed to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), PISI said the proposed April 30, 2027 deadline to comply with Philippine National Standard (PNS) 49:2026 is […]

NG gross borrowing more than doubles in June

THE National Government’s (NG) gross borrowing more than doubled in June after it returned to the global bond market and raised more funds from domestic sources, the Bureau of the Treasury said. Total gross borrowing jumped 119.54% year on year to P579.57 billion in June. Domestic debt accounted for 59.2% of the gross borrowing for […]

Gov’t hoping to offer over 2 GW of solar, hydro for Mindanao auction

THE GOVERNMENT is planning to offer more than 2,000 megawatts (MW) of capacity in the seventh green energy auction (GEA-7) round for solar and hydropower projects situated in Mindanao. In its draft terms of reference, the Department of Energy (DoE) said it will offer 505 MW worth of solar capacity for annual delivery over the […]

Hopes pinned on solar irrigation to mitigate El Niño challenges

SOLAR IRRIGATION is emerging as a key element in the government’s strategy for dealing with food security challenges such as El Niño, officials said. During a panel discussion at the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines’ Food Security Forum, Roger V. Navarro, agriculture undersecretary for Operations, Agri-Fisheries Mechanization and Rural Credit, said solar is becoming […]

Gas auction expected for launch this year

THE Department of Energy (DoE) said it is moving forward with plans to stage the country’s first auction dedicated to natural gas, with contracts targeted to be awarded by the fourth quarter this year. “We are really targeting before the end of the year so we can award,” Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin said last […]

Redefining success in healthcare transformation

Healthcare stands at a defining moment. Global organizations are investing heavily in technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), automation, predictive analytics, cloud platforms, and digital health solutions, promising to improve productivity, reduce costs, and transform the way healthcare is delivered.

VP Sara to miss Marcos SONA for third time

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte remains on the official guest list for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 27, despite being on an overseas trip that will keep her from attending the event. House Secretary General Cheloy Garafil confirmed over the weekend that an invitation was sent to Duterte in keeping with the standard practice of inviting high-ranking government officials and other dignitaries to the annual a

SB19 named Philippines' newest tourism ambassadors by DOT

MANILA, Philippines — Days before making history as the first Filipino act to perform at the Lollapalooza music festival in Chicago, SB19 has been named the Philippines' newest tourism ambassadors by the Department of Tourism (DOT). The appointment was announced Sunday, with the agency tapping the P-pop quintet to help promote the Philippines as a travel destination by showcasing Filipino culture to their growing international fanbase. Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay said SB19's expan

Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp among new additions to join Unesco's World Heritage List

SEOUL, South Korea — The Okefenokee Swamp in Georgia, an ornate 13th-century Buddhist temple in Thailand and tidal flats in western South Korea were among several sites added to the World Heritage List on Saturday at a UN committee meeting in South Korea. The Unesco meetings in Busan, which continue through next Wednesday, are reviewing dozens of other nominations, including the D-Day landing beaches in France, Mount Olympus in Greece and the ancient Japanese capitals of Asuka-Fujiwara. Th

US Federal Reserve expected to hold rates steady as inflation swirls

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The US Federal Reserve is set to hold its second meeting under new chairman Kevin Warsh starting Tuesday, with markets expecting policymakers to keep interest rates steady amid inflation concerns that could be exacerbated by US President Donald Trump's renewed war on Iran. Warsh was chosen to lead the US central bank by Trump, who has made his demand for lower interest rates clear as he has exerted unprecedented pressure on the independent monetary policy making body. Af

'Star Trek' celebrates 60th anniversary at Comic-Con

SAN DIEGO — "Star Trek" legend George Takei on Saturday headlined a 60th anniversary celebration of the groundbreaking sci-fi series at Comic-Con, which featured stars from across the Starship Enterprise's expanded universe of films and shows. The 89-year-old Takei — who played the helmsman Hikaru Sulu on the original series and in multiple movies — earned a standing ovation from fans in a packed Hall H at the four-day pop culture extravaganza in San Diego, California. The acto

Scrutiny of WNBA intensifies as mounting discord around the league looms over All-Star festivities

The WNBA has never been bigger. More people are watching. More are investing. Salaries for many players are higher than ever. But mounting turmoil and discord have been a part of this transformative period that has featured a landmark collective bargaining agreement, league expansion and skyrocketing player recognition. It seems to have reached a new flashpoint, as discussions about race, gender and sexuality made headlines ahead of Saturday's WNBA All-Star Game. Race-driven conversations resurf

2026 World Internet Conference Digital Silk Road Development Forum Opens in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province

XI'AN, China, July 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from CRI Online: On July 22, the 2026 World Internet Conference (WIC) Digital Silk Road Development Forum officially opened in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province. Hosted by the WIC and organized by the Shaanxi Provincial Government, the forum was held under the theme "Pooling Intelligence on the Silk Road, Embarking on a Digital Future - Jointly Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace". Approximately 800 participants from more than 5

NBI to begin probe on transfer of P6.7B to Phisgoc

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Sunday said that it will start looking into the role of Senator Alan Peter Cayetano in the use of funds released in connection with the country’s hosting of the Southeast Asian Games in 2019. Cayetano served as chairman of the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc) in 2019. NBI Director Melvin Matibag said at least seven individuals had been issued subpoenas as part of its investigation. "Som

Chezka Centeno enters WPA World 8-ball Championship semis

MANILA, Philippines — Chezka Centeno topped Rubilen Amit, 8-6, in an all-Filipino quarterfinal clash to enter the Women’s World 8-ball Championship semifinals in Winconsin, United States early Sunday in Manila. Centeno faces Taiwanese Wei Tzu-Chien in the semifinals early Monday. Centeno dethroned defending champ in Austirian Jasmine Ouschan in the last 16, 8-4. In the same stage, Amit stopped American Sofia Mast, 8-6, to forge the all-Filipino quarterfinal clash.

Comic-Con 2026: David Jonsson is new Black Panther, Ryan Gosling joins Marvel as Ghost Rider

SAN DIEGO — Marvel Studios used its Comic-Con International presentation Saturday to announce David Jonsson as the new Black Panther — the son of Chadwick Boseman’s T’Challa — and reveal that Ryan Gosling will be playing Ghost Rider, both in films set for release in 2028. Jonsson joined Oscar-winning “Black Panther” franchise director Ryan Coogler on stage alongside Letitia Wright and Winston Duke, holding his hand to his chest and smiling broadly. &ldqu

India says 45% of exports to U.S. spared new Trump tariffs after trade talks

Goldman previews Warsh’s Task Forces for Advancing Monetary Policy

Jingdezhen Handicraft Porcelain Industry Sites added to UNESCO World Heritage List

JINGDEZHEN, China, July 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A report from Jiangxi International Communication Center (JXICC): The Jingdezhen Handicraft Porcelain Industry Sites were inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List on July 25 during the 48th Session of the World Heritage Committee in Busan, South Korea, becoming China's 61st World Heritage site. Located across the hilly landscape of Jingdezhen in East China's Jiangxi Province, the property preserves a complete handicraft porcelain production syste

North eyes repeat, South seeks redemption in ICTSI JPGT Finals

MANILA, Philippines — Defending champion Team North heads into the 2026 ICTSI Elite Junior Philippine Golf Tour Finals determined to seize the early momentum, but expects a far tougher challenge from a South squad eager to capitalize on home-course advantage when the Ryder Cup-style championship unfolds Aug. 17-20 at Pueblo Golf and Country Club in Cagayan de Oro. The event, organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. and which serves as a World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) counting tourn

More health workers strike as Ebola cases in Congo near 3,000, including over 1,300 deaths

BUNIA, Congo — Health workers at an Ebola treatment center in eastern Congo went on strike on Saturday, demanding their pay. The walkout disrupted care for patients in the epicenter of the country's rapidly growing outbreak. The number of confirmed cases of Ebola in Congo has reached 2,973, including 1,309 deaths, according to government data released on Friday in what authorities say is the fastest-growing outbreak on record. The Elikya Ebola Treatment Center in Bunia, Ituri province, cam

Intern arrested in Belgium on suspicion of spying inside NATO military headquarters

BRUSSELS — A Canadian woman was arrested and accused of espionage while working as an intern in the operational headquarters of the NATO military alliance, Belgian authorities said Saturday. Belgium's Federal Prosecutor's Office said it launched an espionage investigation after NATO's security services tipped off Belgium's military intelligence. Authorities then detained "a Canadian citizen of Chinese origin" on Friday, a day after raiding the suspect's home and workplace inside NATO's vas

Rentomojo Expands Its Dedicated Water Purifier Service in Bangalore With Its Own Purifier Brand, Free 6-Month Filter Replacements, Lifetime Repairs and Installation in 1-2 Days

The company is positioning itself as a managed water purification service by combining its own purifier range, rapid installation, scheduled filter replacements and lifetime maintenance into a single monthly subscription. Rent Water Purifier in Bangalore Rentomojo Expands Water Purifier Rental Services in Bangalore, Offering RO, UV, and Alkaline Systems From ₹401/Month Bangalore, India, July 25, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rentomojo's water purifier programme in Bangalore is positioned as a special