Global coffee giant Starbucks reported a sharper-than-expected 2% decline in comparable store sales worldwide for the April to June 2025 quarter, highlighting growing challenges in its key markets. Sales in North America, which includes its largest market, also dropped 2%, marking the company’s sixth consecutive quarterly decline in same-store sales in the United States. Internationally, sales were flat, while China—its …

State-run Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) reported a solid 14% revenue growth in the first half of 2025, hitting ₱59 billion, up from ₱51.8 billion in the same period last year. In a statement last week, PAGCOR said the bulk of its revenues—₱53.4 billion—came from gaming operations and license fee shares, while ₱5.7 billion was generated from other services …

The Philippines’ trade deficit shrank by 8.8% in June 2025 as exports surged with double-digit growth, according to preliminary data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) released last week. The country posted a USD3.95 billion trade deficit, down from USD4.33 billion in June last year. This improvement came as export sales jumped by 26.1% to USD7.02 billion, up from USD5.57 …

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is charging full speed ahead with its digital transformation, introducing a suite of modernization programs aimed at streamlining taxpayer services, boosting compliance, and enhancing transparency—while riding high on a strong first-half performance. “We’ve been ramping up all these e-services so people no longer have to go to our offices or banks. You can now …

The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) is riding high on the momentum of strong consumer lending in the first half of 2025, fueling optimism for sustained income growth through year-end. BPI reported a 7.8 percent increase in net income, reaching P33 billion, driven largely by rising consumer loan demand and higher net interest income. In a media briefing on …

In a major boost to the country’s disaster preparedness, the World Bank is lending $700 million to help strengthen the climate and disaster resilience of 18 million Filipino households through a community-driven project that puts vulnerable communities at the forefront of risk planning and response. The funding is part of the $874.35 million Philippines Community Resilience Project, a joint undertaking …

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised its 2026 economic growth forecast for the Philippines, signaling continued confidence in the country’s resilience and reform-driven momentum. In its latest World Economic Outlook report, the IMF now expects the Philippine economy to grow by 5.9 percent in 2026, slightly higher than its previous forecast of 5.8 percent.  For 2025, the country’s gross …

Rehabilitating Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) has been officially pushed back to give way to the ASEAN Summit to be hosted next year by the Philippines, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). “It is not feasible anymore to begin the project this year (due to the rains). We can do this maybe next year” or …

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is fast-tracking completion of the P488.5-billion Metro Manila Subway Project, with delays attributed to contentious right-of-way issues with affected property owners. Transport Secretary Vince Dizon said, “No, we’re not on track. The subway is very delayed.” Dizon said the full completion of the Metro Manila Subway Project is now projected for 2032, a delay from …

Government has decided to push back the planned phaseout of turboprop flights out of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) from October 2025 to March 2026. The Manila Slot Coordination Committee (MSCC) – composed of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), and the New NAIA …