Business

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 …

The long-awaited North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) project is gaining full steam ahead. In a major infrastructure push, the Economy and Development (ED) Council, chaired by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., approved last week the operations and maintenance of the NSCR under a public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement. The approval came during a high-level council meeting, with the Department of Economy, Planning, …

Money sent home by overseas Filipinos (OFs) continued its upward trajectory in May 2025, with cash remittances rising by 2.9% to USD2.66 billion, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). The figure is higher than the USD2.58 billion recorded in the same month last year. Land-based workers sent the bulk of the remittances at USD2.12 billion, while sea-based workers …

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) turned over P1.47 billion in dividends to the national government on July 14, a move hailed by the Department of Finance (DOF) as a major boost to public funding without burdening taxpayers. Finance Secretary Ralph Recto described the remittance as a product of “shared success,” highlighting its alignment with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s …

Global cybersecurity firm Kaspersky has sounded the alarm on the growing number of financial phishing attacks, particularly those tied to cryptocurrency scams and targeting financial institutions—including thousands in the Philippines. In a statement released Monday, Kaspersky disclosed that it blocked over 10.7 million financial phishing attempts around the world in 2024, reflecting an 83% jump from the previous year. In …

In a firm move to prevent the misuse of digital financial platforms, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is set to implement tighter regulations on payment services related to online gambling. The move comes amid growing public concern over the social and financial consequences of widespread access to gambling platforms. The BSP recently posted a draft circular outlining proposed guidelines …

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is set to issue enhanced guidelines on digitalization for banks before the end of the year, aiming to create a more level playing field across the financial sector. Speaking at the Chamber of Thrift Banks (CTB) convention in Makati City last week, BSP Deputy Governor Chuchi Fonacier emphasized the increasing adoption of digital platforms …

Ensuring reliable access to clean water remains a pressing priority in many parts of the Visayas and Mindanao, where climate change, rapid urbanization, and ecological disruption continue to strain natural water sources. As local governments and communities seek sustainable water management systems, BDO Unibank Inc. is stepping up to support these efforts through long-term financing. One of its key partners …

The Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) has raised P8.25 billion from its latest dual-tranche bond issuance, surpassing its minimum target of P5 billion as investors showed strong confidence in the state-run bank’s role in advancing the country’s development agenda. The fresh capital, raised under DBP’s expanded P150-billion bond program, was 1.65 times oversubscribed, according to DBP President and CEO …

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) recognized 18 outstanding institutional partners of its Head Office during the 2025 Outstanding BSP Stakeholders Appreciation Ceremony (OBSAC) held on 18 July 2025. BSP Monetary Board Member Romeo L. Bernardo, who led the ceremony, said: “We may come from different spaces and bring different approaches, but when we work together, meaningful results follow.” The …