The Washington-based multilateral lender International Monetary Fund (IMF) said sluggish profits in the Philippine manufacturing sector, which accounts for nearly one-fifth of domestic loans, could make banks more vulnerable if global trade conditions sour. In its latest staff report for the...
St. Thomas More has been celebrated as “A Man for All Seasons.” I have a friend and business colleague who just passed away at the ripe old age of 96 who deserves the honorific title of “A Man for the Common Good.” His name was Cesar A. Buenaventura (CAB). Cesar should be considered a role...
In 2025, the Philippine economy experienced its deepest slowdown in years and is poised to miss its full-year growth target, battered by its sharpest deceleration after posting just four percent growth in the third quarter—the weakest pace in 4.5 years, or since the 3.8-percent contraction in the...
Vice President Sara Duterte maintained majority approval and trust ratings in December 2025, while public sentiment toward President Marcos remained largely negative, a Pulse Asia Research survey revealed. The survey was conducted from Dec. 12 to 15, through face-to-face interviews with a...
Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday, Dec. 30, joined the Filipino people in commemorating the death anniversary of Philippine national hero Jose Rizal, whose sacrifice, she said, should give us strength and courage to stand by what is right and just. Through Rizal’s works, Duterte said, he...
Malacañang on Tuesday, Dec. 30, assured the public that President Marcos and his team are "scrutinizing" the proposed 2026 national budget to ensure that all allocations and its provisions are fully accounted for any changes from the original National Expenditure Program (NEP). Executive...
The Senate on Monday, Dec. 29, ratified the Bicameral Conference Committee (bicam) report on the 2026 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) that proposes a ₱ P6.793 -trillion national budget for next year. The ratified version of the 2026 GAB will then be sent to Malacañang for President...
The proposed 2026 national budget remained controversial despite its ratification Monday, Dec. 29 as several House members flagged the procedural process the General Appropriations Bill (GAB) went through as well as its alleged questionable provisions. Solons belonging to the House minority and...
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...
