Companies

SM Investments Corporation (SM Investments) saw its net income climb to ₱42.6 billion in the first half of 2025 — a 6 percent increase — as favorable economic conditions continued to fuel growth across its key businesses. In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, the conglomerate also reported consolidated revenues of ₱319.2 billion as of end-June. “We continue to …

Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) kicked off 2025 on a high note, posting an 8% jump in net income to ₱14.2 billion for the first half of the year — thanks to robust sales of commercial lots and premium residences, along with strong performance in leasing and hospitality. In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange last week, ALI reported consolidated …

By Tracy Cabrera In a renewed push to boost the country’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), Trade Secretary Maria Cristina Roque is urging lawmakers to approve a higher budget for government loan programs designed to provide accessible, low-interest capital for small businesses. Roque’s call comes on the heels of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s recent State of the Nation …

Toyota Motor has once again claimed the crown as the world’s best-selling automaker, marking its sixth consecutive year at the top with a staggering 5.5 million vehicles sold globally from January to June 2025. The Japanese automotive giant posted a 7.4% increase in global sales compared to the same period last year, achieving its highest-ever half-year sales. Backed by strong …

For years, many Filipino farmers have been unable to break the cycle of debt and dependency that often accompanies farming. But through SM Foundation’s Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan (KSK) Farming Program, the beneficiaries are now finding ways to generate a reliable income from agriculture. Among those whose lives have changed is Connie Flores, a mother of six and a 2023 graduate …

To aid government workers and retirees affected by Severe Tropical Storm Crising and the intensified southwest monsoon (habagat), the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has opened its emergency loan facility in five calamity-declared areas: Quezon City, Cavite, Umingan (Pangasinan), and Calumpit (Bulacan). GSIS Officer-in-Charge Juliet Bautista announced that qualified members and pensioners in these areas may now apply for the …

The Philippine gaming industry earned ₱215 billion in gross revenues during the first half of 2025, reflecting strong growth in integrated resort operations and robust investor interest, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) announced last week. Speaking at the Philippine Hotel Connect 2025 in Pasay City, PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco said licensed casinos inside integrated resorts (IRs) …

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has extended the deadlines for filing tax returns, paying taxes, and submitting documents in areas battered by tropical cyclones Crising, Dante, and Emong, along with the intensified southwest monsoon or “habagat.” In a statement released Friday, BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. said taxpayers in the affected areas—including Metro Manila, parts of Northern Luzon, Mimaropa, …

US-based Cerberus Capital Management is set to invest an additional ₱15 billion in the Philippines over the next 12 months, eyeing upgrades to its Subic shipyard and launching new ventures in logistics, energy, and transport infrastructure. The announcement came following the firm’s meeting with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in Washington, DC, where executives cited government support and encouraging operational …

After nine months of consultations, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and the Ad Standards Council (ASC) on July 16 signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that mandates the pre-screening and regulation of gambling-related advertisements across all media platforms. PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco and ASC Chairperson Golda Roldan led the ceremonial signing at the PAGCOR …