Business

Torres Brandy of Spain has officially entered the Philippine market after sealing a partnership with local rum leader Tanduay Distillers. Torres 5 Light leads the collection of spirits making a debut in the Philippines, supported by Tanduay’s marketing and distribution network. Tanduay president and CEO Lucio Tan III said, “The arrival of Torres in the Philippines marks the coming of …

It’s scraping bottom for the Philippine economy, but Cabinet officials in and out of Malacañang are still hopeful that the country a high middle-income status before the year ends. In 2025, the economy expanded by 4.4%, much weaker than the 5.7% growth in 2024. This was the weakest notch in five years or when GDP declined by 9.5% in 2020. …

THE Philippines can still hit the goal of becoming a high-income economy despite a run of below-potential growth, Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said on Thursday. This, following the release of disappointing data on how the national economy performed in 2025. “Our aspiration as a country, as reflected in our long-term plan, is to join our neighbors as a developed …

The Jollibee Group’s South Korean value coffee brand Compose Coffee has achieved the highest customer satisfaction rating among Korea’s leading low-cost franchises. The result was based on a recent survey released by the Korea Consumer Agency (KCA), South Korea’s government-mandated consumer protection institution established to safeguard and advance consumer rights, enhance market transparency and improve overall consumer welfare. Based on …

The Energy Regulatory Commission  (ERC) announced this week that it has approved Resolution No. 02, Series of 2026 setting a “Uniform National Lifeline Subsidy and Rate for the implementation of the Lifeline Program nationwide.” The lifeline subsidy is a passed-on charge against regular-paying consumers to shoulder the discounted rates for the electricity consumption of low-income consumers. Under the resolution, the …

The City of Manila recorded a 40 percent increase in new business permit processing alongside robust renewal activity, showing strong local business momentum, Bureau of Permits Director Levi Facundo reported Monday to Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso. As of January 25, 2026, the city processed 384 new business permits, up sharply from 176 during the same January 1–25 …

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office is raising the stakes as it ushers in 2026, promising bigger thrills and greater winning potential for lottery players nationwide. Beginning February 1, minimum jackpot prizes across all major PCSO lotto games will significantly increase, giving every ticket a stronger chance at becoming a life-changing win right from the opening draw. Under the updated prize …

SEN. Joel Villanueva on Wednesday filed a bill aiming to lift some restrictions in the country’s existing bank secrecy law to enable “measured“ transparency and fight corruption. Senate Bill 1728 seeks to “modernize a legal framework that has remained virtually untouched for more than seven decades.“ Senator Villanueva declared in Senate: “For over seventy years, the Philippines has maintained one …

Cocolife will soon extend its emergency insurance services to Grab Philippines and its motorcycle taxi arm Move It. In an announcement,  Grab and Move It said that under their expanded emergency insurance framework with Cocolife, rider-partners and passengers gain 24/7 access to a wider network of more than 700 Cocolife-accredited hospitals nationwide for emergency situations involving its booked ride. Under …

Great things are moving at LANDBANK. The bank  has partnered with the Social Security System (SSS) to launch a microloan facility through the bank’s mobile platform. The SSS Loan Lite Program allows members to apply for loans digitally via the LANDBANK app, with automated eligibility checks, streamlined processing and rapid crediting of proceeds. “This new product clearly is something that …