It only took 42 seconds for the House of Representatives to ratify the P6.793-trillion General Appropriations Bill (GAB) for 2026 and adjourn on Monday afternoon, Dec. 29 in what could be one of the shortest plenary sessions in the chamber’s history. The presiding officer, Deputy Speaker Ilocos...
The Philippines will sign its comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in mid-January as part of the government’s efforts to sustain the growth momentum of exports into next year. Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said she is scheduled to depart for the...
What the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has done was bring the highs down and the lows up. That is friction—or grease—for everything. Borrowing costs were still elevated at the onset of the year, even as the BSP had already begun its inflation-targeting monetary policy easing cycle in August...
The executive branch ought to submit the National Expenditure Program (NEP) to Congress earlier starting next year. Thus, said House Committee on Appropriations Chairperson Nueva Ecija 1st district Rep. Mikaela Angela "Mika" Suansing, as Congress rush to have the P6.793-trillion 2026 national...
Inflation is likely to fall below the government’s target band for the 10th straight month in December, even as the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) sees the Christmas holiday season lifting prices. In a statement on Monday, Dec. 29, the BSP forecast this month’s headline inflation to settle...
Upholding the maxim,“Truth will set us free,” has become even more imperative in our times, following the Supreme Court’s decision last week affirming the conviction of three police officers for the killing of 17-year-old student Kian de los Santos. Responding to the decision, Malacañang...
As Christmas greetings made the rounds, so did quieter whispers of an unsettling rumor: that a major mining company shareholder is allegedly being groomed to take the helm of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). This raises a troubling scenario: Is current Environment...
The Department of Agriculture (DA) will build three deep-water ports next year as part of its sector-wide infrastructure overhaul aimed at reducing food production costs to ease retail prices for consumers. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said the DA is hoping to secure a budget of...
There’s no better word to describe the trade environment this year than uncertainty, as the country endured a slew of changes and setbacks, particularly due to the policies of the United States (US), its closest ally and largest trading partner. It is no surprise that when US President Donald...
Lawmakers from the Senate and the House of Representatives on Sunday, December 28 signed the bicameral conference committee report on the proposed P6.793-trillion 2026 General Approprations Bill (GAB) which President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is expected to sign early January. Sen....
As 2025 ends, the Department of Health (DOH) said it moved Universal Health Care (UHC) from policy to practice, unifying once-fragmented health services through expanded primary care, urgent-care hubs, hospital upgrades, and digital reforms felt nationwide. DOH Health Promotion Bureau (HPB)...
Advancing social protection and food security efforts were among the priorities of President Marcos this year as he implemented programs in transportation, social and digital services, food, and the economy. In its yearend report, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) highlighted President...
