Business

Potato Corner (PC), the Philippines’ homegrown global leader in flavored fries, has opened its first store in Taiwan. In a recent statement, PC, which is part of Shakey’s Pizza Asia Ventures, Inc. (SPAVI), said the branch located at Xinyi District’s Uni-President Department Store in Taipei opened on Aug. 4. Taiwan is the brand’s 16th overseas market, bringing its global store …

HOUSE OF FINACIALFREEDOMBy Chinkee Tan RA 12214, also known as the Capital Markets Efficiency Promotion Act, is a new law aimed at making investing in the Philippines more attractive. It streamlines rules, reduces certain taxes, and opens the door for more products in the capital market. In short, it’s designed to get more Filipinos to invest instead of keeping money …

The Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) has granted the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) petition for a refund of ₱24,684 in documentary stamp taxes (DST) it paid in connection with the foreclosure of mortgaged properties of the Rural Bank of San Miguel. In a nine-page decision released Friday, the CTA Special First Division ruled that under its charter, the BSP …

Bank lending grew at a slightly slower pace in July while domestic liquidity picked up, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported Friday. Data showed outstanding loans of universal and commercial banks (U/KBs) expanded by 11.8 percent year-on-year, easing from 12.1 percent in June. The amount of outstanding loans stood at P13.57 trillion. Lending to residents rose by 12.4 percent …

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Eli Remolona Jr. has once again been named one of the world’s best central bank governors, earning an “A-” rating in Global Finance magazine’s Central Banker Report Cards 2025. This is his second consecutive year on the prestigious list. The report card evaluates central bankers from nearly 100 countries, assigning grades from A+ (highest) …

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to strengthen data sharing for better policymaking. The MOU was signed on Aug. 29 at the BSP head office in Manila, the central bank said in a statement Thursday. “The MOU strengthens our ability to see the whole picture. …

SM Foundation’s development communication initiatives got recognized at the Philippine Quill Awards, earning two distinctions from the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Philippines for initiatives that highlight social good. The entry “Uplifting Lives through Social Good” received a Merit Award in Communication Management, while “We Care: The SM Foundation Newsletter” won an Excellence Award in Communication Skills. Both awards …

Victoria International Container Terminal (VICT), the Australian cargo handling operation of International Container Terminal Services, Inc., signed a new enterprise agreement with local unions covering all of its operations until March 2029. The agreement, which was secured without any disruption to operations, reflects the strong relationship between VICT and its workforce, providing a solid platform for the future. “This outcome …

In support of the Department of Trade and Industry’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Development Plan 2023–2028, CVM Pawnshop and Money Changer Corporation (CVM Pawnshop) empowered 850 Filipino micro-entrepreneurs through the “Ka-CEO” Program, equipping them with fresh insights, new opportunities, and practical strategies to strengthen and scale their businesses. The “Ka-CEO” Program provides a wide range of tools, strategies …

Policy stability is among the most critical factors in attracting long-term capital, according to Valentino S. Bagatsing, chairman and chief executive officer of Investment and Capital Corporation of the Philippines (ICCP), one of the leading independent investment houses in the country. Bagatsing stressed risk is part of any business endeavor, but what investors have trouble with is policy uncertainty, especially …