HOUSE OF FINANCIAL FREEDOM By Chinkee Tan You’d think doubling your income would automatically make you wealthier. For most people, it doesn’t. I’ve seen it countless times as a wealth coach: salary goes up, lifestyle follows, and savings stay flat. This is called the income trap: expenses grow as fast as, or faster than, income. One of my clients experienced …
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Phl trade deficit narrows in July as exports surge 17%
The country’s trade deficit narrowed in July 2025 as exports posted double-digit growth, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed. The balance of trade in goods declined by 17 percent to USD 4.05 billion in July from USD 4.8 billion in the same month last year. Export sales jumped 17.3 percent to USD 7.3 billion from USD 6.2 billion …
Read More »Industry group backs Marcos probe of flood control projects
The Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) on Friday expressed support for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to investigate alleged anomalies in flood control projects, saying the move will strengthen accountability and safeguard the public. “Corruption and negligence in flood control projects are not just wastes of taxpayer money—they endanger lives and undermine confidence in government programs,” FPI said in …
Read More »SSS sees net income surpassing P100 billion in 2025
The Social Security System (SSS) expects its net income to exceed P100 billion this year on the back of higher investment earnings and improved collection efficiency. “So definitely, we’ll reach the P100 billion mark in net income for 2025. We estimate that in terms of percentage growth of net income, it will range from about 38 to about 43 percent …
Read More »HMO benefits, claims up 19% in first half – IC
Total healthcare benefits and claims paid out by health maintenance organizations (HMOs) rose by 19 percent to P36.29 billion in the first half of the year, the Insurance Commission (IC) reported last week. The figure was higher than the P30.33 billion in benefits and claims paid in the same period last year. Total expenses, including income tax, also grew by …
Read More »PhilRatings gives DoubleDragon bond offer top rating
Philippine Rating Services (PhilRatings) has assigned its highest rating of PRS Aaa to the planned bond issuance of up to P10.9 billion by DoubleDragon Corp. In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) on Tuesday, DoubleDragon said the bonds will carry a fixed interest rate of 7.7 percent with tenors of 3.5 years and 5.5 years. The offering is …
Read More »SEC reminds listed firms of disclosure duty after Global Ferronickel chair’s arrest
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) last week reminded publicly listed companies of their obligation to disclose material information to investors following the arrest of Global Ferronickel Holdings Inc. chairman Joseph Sy at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Aug. 21 over alleged misrepresentation of citizenship. “Given Mr. Sy’s role as chairman of a publicly listed company, the SEC is …
Read More »Tanduay posts record H1 income on higher revenues, margins
Tanduay Distillers, Inc. (TDI), the liquor and spirits arm of LT Group, Inc. (LTG), posted its strongest first-half performance on record, with net income nearly doubling on higher revenues, improved margins, and market share gains. TDI reported a net income of P1.36 billion in the first half of 2025, up 91 percent from P712 million a year ago, according to …
Read More »DBP lends P815-M for mass housing project in Bulacan
The Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) has extended a P815-million term loan to Bright Homes & Realty Corporation for the construction of three residential buildings in Sta. Maria, Bulacan. DBP President and Chief Executive Officer Michael de Jesus said Thursday the funding was granted under the bank’s Credit Facility for the 4PH Program (BAHAY-4PH), which supports the Marcos administration’s …
Read More »LandBank, DBP arrange P100-billion syndicated loan for PSALM
State-owned Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank) will extend P60 billion to the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM) to help advance the government’s energy sector reform program. In a statement last week, LandBank said the amount forms part of a P100-billion Syndicated Term Loan Facility for PSALM, with the remaining P40 billion to be provided by the …
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