Philippines Business News

US launches new strikes against Iran after three ships were hit in Strait of Hormuz

DUBAI — The US military launched new strikes against Iran early Wednesday, hours after three merchant ships were struck in the Strait of Hormuz, in the latest exchange of fire to threaten the interim deal to end the fighting between the two countries. The renewed attacks were sure to add to the difficulty of the negotiations aimed at fully reopening the strait, rolling back Tehran’s disputed nuclear program and reaching a permanent end to the war launched Feb. 28. In a statement post

RBNZ raises rates by 25 bps, signals more tightening ahead

Philippines core inflation hits 31-month high as headline CPI eases in June

PHILIPPINE headline inflation eased for a second straight month in June on lower transport and food prices, but pass-through effects pushed core inflation to its fastest pace in 31 months, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said.

SEC lifts ban on new online lending apps

THE SECURITIES and Exchange Commission (SEC) is lifting the moratorium on the registration of new online lending platforms (OLP) starting Aug. 1. At the same time, the SEC raised the capital and disclosure requirements for financing and lending companies, as it seeks to improve the regulatory oversight of the sector and boost consumer protection. The […]

DoF prioritizes signing of Pax Silica deal within the year

THE PHILIPPINES is hoping to sign a framework agreement under the US-led Pax Silica initiative before the end of the year as it seeks to position New Clark City as a hub for artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductor manufacturing. “From what I understand, this is a priority. So, I hope we can get something signed […]

Philippines-Türkiye trade could hit $1 billion — envoy

AGRICULTURAL, seafood and halal exports could help lift trade between the Philippines and Türkiye toward the $1-billion mark, Türkiye Ambassador to the Philippines Niyazi Evren Akyol said.

A constellation of collaborative work

THE PRACTICE of Philippine muralism and socially engaged art has persisted over decades, across presidential administrations both ruthless and neglectful. Rooted in collaborations among artists and communities, it is marked by grassroots-based art projects and exhibitions, all of which operated in different pockets throughout the country — until recently.

Romancing stone, steel, and shooting stars

WE could have missed the gate to Reg Yuson’s property. The number outside the sculptor’s address was discreet. “There was a time when homes here had no numbers,” he said. “People in the neighborhood knew where everyone lived.”

A nudge and a wink for avid theatergoers

PETA Theater Center, 5 Eymard Drive, Brgy. Kristong Hari, New Manila, Quezon City.

Higher PSE fundraising target points to improving issuer confidence — analysts

THE Philippine Stock Exchange’s (PSE) decision to raise its capital-raising target for 2026, based on applications received so far, suggests companies are becoming more willing to tap the domestic equity market for growth capital, although structural challenges continue to constrain the local capital market, analysts said.

Arts & Culture (07/08/26)

THE Metropolitan Museum of Manila (The M) is holding a series of printmaking workshops every Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., until November.

Robinsons Retail nears PSE exit after tender offer

LISTED retailer Robinsons Retail Holdings, Inc. (RRHI) has cleared a key hurdle in its planned voluntary delisting from the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) after its controlling shareholder JE Holdings, Inc. received enough tendered shares to exceed the minimum ownership threshold required for delisting. In a disclosure on Tuesday, RRHI said JE Holdings accepted 229.58 million […]

T-bond yields go down as June inflation slows

THE GOVERNMENT fully awarded the reissued Treasury bonds (T-bonds) it auctioned off on Tuesday at lower yields, with the offer attracting strong demand, as Philippine headline inflation slowed for a second straight month in June. The Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) borrowed its target P30 billion through the reissued 20-year bonds as the offer was […]

From Aparri to Jolo, WPS festival inspires 220 murals

TO MARK the July 12 anniversary of the landmark 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, 220 murals were completed nationwide as part of the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Mural Festival, bringing the issue into schools, public markets, military camps, community centers, municipal halls, and public spaces in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. From the 220 entries, […]

CEB says AirAsia MOVE barred from selling its tickets

BUDGET CARRIER Cebu Air, Inc. (CEB), the operator of Cebu Pacific, said a Malaysian court has barred AirAsia MOVE, the online travel agency (OTA) of the AirAsia group, from using the airline’s trademarks in distributing and selling Cebu Pacific flight tickets without authorization. In a statement on Tuesday, Cebu Air said the High Court of […]

BSP to relaunch coin deposit machines this year, add units in 2027

THE BANGKO SENTRAL ng Pilipinas (BSP) is seeking to deploy reconfigured versions of its 25 existing coin deposit machines (CoDMs) in the Greater Manila area between end-October and early November this year. BSP Deputy Governor Bernadette Romulo-Puyat also told reporters on Monday that they aim to roll out an additional 25 units by January next […]

Filinvest turns over land to link Bicutan property to future rail hub

GOTIANUN-LED FILINVEST Land, Inc. has turned over a 6,000-square-meter (sq.m.) property in Bicutan to the Department of Transportation (DoTr) to facilitate the development of the Bicutan Station, while advancing plans to connect its adjacent 6.5-hectare (ha) property to the future rail hub. The property developer said the Bicutan Station will serve as an interchange between […]

Defending our arbitral victory is a global economic security imperative

The Strait of Hormuz became a focal point when the conflict in the Middle East erupted in February this year. Because the strait is a vital trade route, its closure massively disrupted the global economy, sending the price of oil and other goods soaring. The situation in the Strait of Hormuz offers a cautionary tale […]

June headline inflation hits 3-month low, but core inflation highest in more than 2 years

PHILIPPINE headline inflation eased for a second straight month in June on lower transport and food prices, but pass-through effects pushed core inflation to its fastest pace in 31 months, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said. Read the full story.

BSP flags cybersecurity risks from frontier AI models

BANKS and other financial institutions must ensure they have robust safeguards against potential threats from highly advanced artificial intelligence (AI) models as these could exploit vulnerabilities with a higher degree of sophistication, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said. In a memorandum signed by BSP Deputy Governor Lyn I. Javier, the BSP said frontier AI […]

PAL to increase Japan, Australia flights

FLAG CARRIER Philippine Airlines (PAL) will increase flight frequencies to Japan and Australia starting in October to meet expected demand during the winter and year-end travel seasons. In a statement on Tuesday, PAL said it will add flights on three Japan routes during the Northern Hemisphere winter season. Beginning Oct. 25 through March 27, 2027, […]

Bangko Sentral wants banks, e-wallets to explain fund transfer fee structures

BANKS, electronic wallet (e-wallet) operators, and other financial institutions that have not complied with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) new rules on retail transfer charges will not face immediate penalties but will be called to explain their fee structures. BSP Deputy Governor Mamerto E. Tangonan said they will meet this week with “several” financial […]

Peso gains as inflation fears wane

THE PESO edged up on Tuesday as lower global oil prices and June Philippine consumer price index data supported expectations of easing inflationary pressures. The currency rose by 5.6 centavos to close at P61.435 per dollar from P61.491 on Monday, according to data on the Bankers Association of the Philippines’ website. The local unit opened […]

Asia-Pacific carriers face operating challenges

Asia-Pacific carriers continue to face pressure from elevated jet fuel prices, even though the average price of jet fuel fell to $119.13 per barrel in the week ended July 3, according to data monitored by the International Air Transport Association.