Philippines Business News

Wage injunction may blur court, wage board roles

THE court order halting Metro Manila’s latest minimum wage increase raises questions about how far judges can intervene in wage-setting and whether the country’s existing system gives enough weight to workers’ needs alongside employers’ ability to absorb higher labor costs.

DND slams Chinese Embassy’s ‘evasive’ reply

THE Department of National Defense (DND) on Sunday accused the Chinese Embassy of evading questions and spreading “disingenuous misinformation” in its response to Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr.’s remarks on the arrest of Chinese nationals. DND spokesman Arsenio R. Andolong said the embassy’s statement failed to address the issues raised by Mr. Teodoro and […]

Palace slams BARMM chief attack

MALACAÑANG on Sunday said President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has directed government agencies to strengthen security in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and investigate the reported attack on Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof A. Macacua and his companions. “The President has ordered all relevant government agencies to further intensify security in Bangsamoro communities […]

Gov’t may increase LGU support fund

THE government could increase its support fund for local government units (LGUs) next year if this year’s funding proves effective, Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto said during his Cebu visit. About 210,000 students in more than 42,000 barangays nationwide have benefited from the Presidential Scholars Program, Mr. Recto said in Filipino, according to a statement […]

CHED gets P9.75B for SUC

THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) released P9.753 billion to cover deficiencies in the implementation of the Free Higher Education (FHE) program across 108 state universities and colleges (SUCs) for three academic years. The funding, released to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), covers arrears for academic years 2022-2023, 2023-2024 and 2024-2025. The amount […]

20% student load discount pushed

SENATOR Erwin T. Tulfo on Sunday pushed for a bill seeking to grant students a 20% discount on prepaid and postpaid mobile load to aid in the connectivity of learners following frequent shifts of schools to online classes due to inclement weather. Under the Senate Bill No. 2275 filed on June 17, telecommunication companies (telcos) […]

RHR, Punlaan School partner for hospitality training program

ROBINSONS Hotels and Resorts (RHR), the hospitality arm of Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC), has formalized a partnership with Punlaan School to provide hands-on hospitality training to scholars amid its push to bolster the company’s talent pipeline while supporting vocational education. Through a recently signed Memorandum of Agreement, the Gokongwei-led hospitality unit will host two scholars […]

BuCor officer returns, vows to cooperate in trust fund probe

AN OFFICER of the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) returned after her absence without official leave since July 29, to cooperate in the investigation into alleged anomalies into the prisoners’ trust fund, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) said. Corrections Officer 2 Bianca Ramos returned to the CIW on Saturday accompanied by her sisters and legal […]

NHCP museum pays tribute to Rizal's mom on 115th death anniversary

MANILA, Philippines — The National Historical Commission of the Philippines' (NHCP) Museo ni Jose Rizal in Calamba, Laguna paid tribute to Doña Teodora Alonso on her 115th death anniversary on Sunday. In a post shared by the NHCP on Facebook, the museum, which is also a shrine, said it conducted "a simple but meaningful" offering of flowers at her grave. "Doña Teodora served as an inspiration to Jose Rizal to study medicine and become an expert in treating eye diseases," it s

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Speaker throws support behind agricultural insurance measure

SPEAKER and Isabela Rep. Faustino G. Dy III said House Bill No. 10365, which seeks to strengthen the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC) by expanding the scope of agricultural activities that may be granted coverage, will help more farmers avoid total losses from a single calamity.

Clark Food Hub targeted for partial operations by end-2027

THE DEPARTMENT of Agriculture (DA) said on Sunday the P4-billion Clark National Food Hub is expected to start partial operations before the end of 2027. The DA signed agreements with Food Terminal, Inc. (FTI) and Clark International Airport Corp. aimed to cover the mega food hub’s funding, development, and operations over 40 hectares of the […]

Tax-exempt P350,000 income needs safeguards against ‘bracket creep’

TAX EXPERTS said the proposed tax-exempt threshold of P350,000 is vulnerable to the effects of inflation, which would serve to erode the tax relief it promises, and called for safeguards against “bracket creep.”

Prices frozen in parts of Bulacan, Cavite after calamity declaration due to monsoon

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it froze prices in parts of Bulacan and Cavite that had been placed under a state of calamity following the constant rains brought about by the southwest monsoon. “The DTI reminds the public that a price freeze on all basic necessities is in effect in areas covered […]

Budget release rate hits 88.5% in July

THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said it had released 88.5% of the original 2026 budget by the end of July. According to the DBM Status of Allotment Release report, the releases amounted to P6.012 trillion out of the original budget of P6.793 trillion, leaving P781.082 billion undistributed. The release rate at the end […]

DoE hopes planned P19.7-B Maharlika investment in NGCP closes this year

THE Department of Energy (DoE) said it hopes that the plan by Maharlika Investment Corp. (MIC) to invest P19.7 billion in the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) will conclude this year. Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin told reporters last week that the DoE will check on the progress of the deal between MIC […]

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WATCH: Romblon town gets smart kiosk

As a prelude to the Regional Science and Technology Week here in Romblon, the Department of Science and Technology has transferred several of its projects to the town of San Agustin, which includes a Smart Information tourism kiosk and the pilot implementation of E-Turo Digital Learning System, among others. Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum, Undersecretary Sancho Mabborang, Romblon Rep. Eleandro Jesus Madrona, and San Agustin Mayor Aaron Madrona witnessed the ceremonies held here

Hurricane Lala brushes past Hawaii's Big Island, bringing heavy rain

HONOLULU — The eye of Hurricane Lala brushed past the southern part of Hawaii's Big Island on Saturday, as heavy rain and strong winds struck the US Pacific state and officials warned of potentially dangerous flooding. "Hurricane conditions will persist on the Big Island of Hawaii overnight, with the strongest winds expected in areas of higher terrain," the National Hurricane Center said at 8 p.m. local time (0600 GMT Sunday), warning that the coast would be hit with "large and dangerous w

WATCH: Cebu hosts Disney on Ice for first time

Cebu will host Disney On Ice for the first time, serving as the production’s first Philippine stop before its Manila run later this year. “Let’s Dance!" will run at the newly opened SM Seaside Cebu Arena from Nov. 28 to Dec. 6. In a press conference, Feld Entertainment APAC Vice President Matthew Garrick, SM Arena Complex Corp. Vice President and General Manager Arnel C. Gonzales, and professional skaters Allie White and Sophie Sananikone introduced the Cebu run. Gonzales said

Make it 17 straight! Makhachev sets UFC record for consecutive wins in welterweight title defense

PHILADELPHIA — The bridge of Islam Makhachev's nose, right cheek and forehead were scraped or sliced open and his left cheek sported a baseball-sized bruise after taking a few too many brutal blows to the face. He may not have looked the part, yet Makhachev was again a winner — all while toppling one of UFC's most enduring records. Makhachev set the UFC record with his 17th straight victory, reaching the milestone with a unanimous decision over Ian Machado Garry to successfully defen