Business

Despite a two-month halt in rice imports starting September, consumers have little to worry about — inflation is unlikely to spike, according to Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan. Speaking during a briefing at the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) office in Quezon City, Balisacan assured the public that the 60-day rice import suspension ordered by President …

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has assured the public that the Social Security System (SSS) remains financially strong enough to raise monthly pensions for its members—without increasing contribution rates. Speaking in the latest episode of *The BBM Podcast* aired last week, Marcos expressed confidence in the agency’s fiscal health, saying the continued growth of the country’s working population will sustain …

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 …

In its relentless crackdown on tax fraud, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on Thursday filed fresh criminal complaints against dozens of companies and individuals over the alleged use of “ghost receipts” to evade taxes amounting to a staggering ₱1.41 billion. BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. personally led the filing of 23 tax evasion cases before the Department of Justice …

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is gearing up to launch tough new rules aimed at shielding Filipinos from the growing risks of online gambling. In a statement on Thursday, the central bank revealed that the new framework will enforce strict identity verification measures — including facial recognition — to ensure that only eligible users can access gambling-related services using …

The Philippines’ foreign currency stash dipped slightly in July — but the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) assures it remains more than enough to shield the country from external economic shocks. Data released Thursday showed the country’s gross international reserves (GIR) stood at USD105.7 billion last month, a marginal decrease from the USD106 billion recorded at the end of June. …

Philippine National Bank (PSE: PNB) has teamed up with Japan’s Digital Wallet Corporation (DWC) — the brains behind the popular Smiles mobile remittance platform — to strengthen its international money transfer services for Filipinos worldwide. The strategic partnership, formalized on July 3, 2025, aims to make remittances faster, more affordable, and more accessible, especially for overseas Filipinos in Japan. “At …

In a move that advances inclusive education and social responsibility, LANDBANK and the University of the Philippines (UP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on August 1, 2025, to roll out employee-funded scholarships, faculty development grants, and digital banking services across UP campuses. At the heart of the partnership is LANDBANK’s support for UP’s LINGAP-ISKOLAR Program, which will provide scholarships …

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 …