Philippines Business News

Marcos should allow release of VP tax records if Senate asks, analysts say

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. should authorize the release of Vice-President (VP) Sara Duterte-Carpio’s sealed Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) tax records if the Senate impeachment court formally requests them, political analysts said, arguing that doing so would reinforce the administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

Timing clouds gov’t revival of SEA Games investigation

THE reopening of investigations into alleged irregularities in the Philippines’ hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games underscores the legal and evidentiary hurdles authorities face when reviving years-old corruption cases, with legal experts saying fresh credible evidence is essential to justify renewed scrutiny.

China should answer for racist video, Tarriela says

PHILIPPINE Coast Guard spokesman Jay Tristan Tarriela on Sunday said China, not him, should be held accountable for a racist video depicting Filipinos as monkeys, rejecting Senator Robinhood C. Padilla’s claim that his earlier caricature of Chinese President Xi Jinping contributed to “wartime propaganda.” “The racist video was made by China, and the ‘white people’ […]

SWS: Marcos trust fell to fresh low

PUBLIC TRUST in President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. fell to a record in the second quarter, while Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio kept a stable rating ahead of the President’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA), according to a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey commissioned by the Stratbase Institute. About 34% of respondents said they had […]

LTFRB revives pickup fee

THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will restore fixed pickup fares for ride-hailing services, saying the measure would help address rising operating costs while limiting unpredictable fare surges for commuters. LTFRB Chairman Vigor D. Mendoza II said reviving the pickup fare seeks to balance commuter welfare with drivers’ concerns. “The revival of the […]

Senator seeks AMLA overhaul

SENATOR Emmanuel Joel J. Villanueva called for stronger anti-money laundering measures, backing legislation that would expand the Anti-Money Laundering Council’s (AMLC) powers while preserving judicial oversight and constitutional safeguards. In a statement on Sunday, Mr. Villanueva said Senate Bill No. 1983 seeks to boost the country’s legal framework against increasingly sophisticated financial crimes without sacrificing […]

CTA denies Zuellig VAT bid

THE Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) en banc upheld the denial of Zuellig Pharma Asia Pacific Ltd. Phils. ROHQ’s P59.81-million value-added tax (VAT) refund claim after finding that the company failed to satisfy documentary requirements for zero-rated sales. In a decision promulgated on July 9, the tax court affirmed an earlier ruling denying the company’s […]

Maguindanao blast wounds five

A GRENADE attack wounded two soldiers and three civilians along a highway in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur on Saturday after two motorcycle-riding suspects targeted a Philippine Army vehicle, authorities said. Police said one of the attackers hurled a grenade at a KM-450 vehicle carrying soldiers from the 4th Scout Ranger Company under the 2nd […]

Japan eyes Isabela rice plan

JAPANESE climate technology firm Creattura Co. Ltd. is exploring a long-term partnership with the Isabela provincial government to introduce climate-smart rice farming aimed at reducing water use, lowering emissions and generating carbon credits. The Tokyo-based company presented its alternate wetting and drying technology to provincial officials on July 15, saying the system could reduce irrigation […]

Semirara coal auction to go ahead after SMPC resists data-sharing

THE Department of Energy (DoE) plans to go ahead with the auction for the Semirara Island coal mine, even after the incumbent concession holder asked the courts to not compel it to share proprietary data. “Within the month, we will announce something. We still have to deliberate on this. We will decide how the evaluation […]

Agri issues remain unresolved in EU, Chile FTAs

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it is working to iron out agriculture-related issues in its proposed free trade agreements (FTAs) with Chile and the European Union (EU), with talks for both deals targeted for completion this year. Trade Secretary Maria Cristina A. Roque said the Philippines has delayed its projected completion date […]

Mindanao Railway funding still up in the air, DoTr says

THE Department of Transportation (DoTr) said it is pitching bilateral partners and development banks on funding the long-stalled Mindanao Railway project. “We continue to look for other development partners for those railway projects. Generally, our engagement with development partners continues,” Transportation Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John R. Batan told reporters on the sidelines of an […]

Key agri commodity prices drop in early July

THE Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said prices of several key food commodities like rice, pork shoulder, and calamansi fell month on month during the July 1 to 5 period, which the PSA calls the first phase of July. Prices for fresh pork shoulder (kasim) fell 0.8% month on month during the period to P339.43 per […]

APECO in utilities contract talks for Casiguran economic zone

THE Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) said it is in talks with power companies to set up an electricity distribution system in its Casiguran economic zone (ecozone). “We’re exploring a distribution utility agreement, just like what they have in New Clark City and in PEZA (Philippine Economic Zone Authority)-registered ecozones,” APECO President […]

E-invoicing has potential to curb corruption, but gov’t tech capacity an issue – Deloitte

THE electronic invoicing (e-invoicing) system could help curb corruption and restore public trust by improving transparency in tax transactions, though the government’s technological capacity and taxpayer awareness remain key challenges, Deloitte Philippines said.

10 strategic opportunities shaping technology in 2026

As artificial intelligence (AI) matures, the conversation is shifting from what AI can do to how organizations actually make it work at scale.

Deutsche Bank sees Fed balance sheet reduction as bearish for the dollar

British Chamber to host annual Great British Golf Tournament at Wack Wack

The British Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines prepares for The Great British Golf Tournament 2026 on August 14 at Wack Wack Golf and Country Club.

Junior Golden Tigresses beat SJI of Bacolod to rule Shakey’s Juniors National tourney

UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS hacked out a gusty 25-19, 25-23, 23-25, 18-25, 19-17 win over St. John’s Institute (SJI) of Bacolod to reign supreme in the 2026 Shakey’s Juniors National Invitationals over the weekend at the Playtime FilOil Arena in San Juan. The Junior Golden Tigresses displayed immense composure after squandering a 2-0 set lead […]

Charly Suarez demolishes Mexican Avila in first round

CHARLY SUAREZ went into his super featherweight duel with Mexican Manuel Avila wanting to send a message to reigning WBO titlist Emanuel Navarrete — he is coming for the Mexican champion. It was crystal clear in the 37-year-old Filipino’s first-round demolition of Mr. Avila on Sunday that rang loud and deafening at the National Orange […]

Bold dream

For years, the Heat built an identity around the certainty that Pat Riley would swing big. Sometimes, the gamble produced championships, as it did with Shaquille O’Neal and later with the Big Three. Sometimes, all it did was produce headlines. In any case, he has once again reminded the National Basketball Association why every superstar […]

BFAR, British Embassy Manila advance fisheries innovation, global collaboration in SAFET 2026

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) and the British Embassy Manila have partnered to co-host the Seafood and Fisheries Emerging Technologies (SAFET) Conference 2026, set from September 8-10 in Cebu.

How Solora Philippines is reshaping PH tourism

THE future of Philippine hospitality is no longer defined by massive concrete resorts. Top tourist destinations, developers are choosing luxury glamping domes and tents over traditional villas to meet the growing demand for unique, nature-inspired accommodations. Leading this transformation is Solora Philippines, the trusted glamping tent and dome supplier in the Philippines. Unlike conventional resorts that can take 12 to 18 months to build, Solora's prefabricated geodesic domes can be installe

Changan Automobile Chairman Zhu Huarong Meets with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Deepening "In Thailand, For Thailand” Commitment

CHENGDU, China, July 19, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- At the invitation of the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI), Changan Automobile attended the Thailand-China (Sichuan) Investment and Economic Forum 2026 and the opening ceremony of the Thailand BOI Chengdu Office as the only invited Chinese automotive brand operating in Thailand. Mr. Zhu Huarong, Chairman, Changan Automobile, attended both the forum and the opening ceremony and had a meeting with Thai Prime Minister Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Deput