Business

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has imposed a  ₱1-million fine on Surity Cash Lending Investors Corporation for engaging in unfair debt collection practices through its mobile lending platform. In a decision dated September 16, 2025, and approved by the Commission En Banc, the SEC found Surity Cash guilty of three counts of violating SEC Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 18, …

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) inaugurated last week a new socio-civic center in Barangay San Gregorio, Laurel, Batangas — a facility designed to serve as both an evacuation site during disasters and a venue for community activities. In a statement, PAGCOR said the two-story, ₱50 million building features multipurpose halls, kitchens, restrooms, and other disaster-resilient amenities to ensure …

The Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) has entered into a tripartite agreement with South Korea’s Yooshin Engineering Corporation and the Philippines’ Lordsbridge Resources Corporation to develop the Casiguran International New Port in Aurora. The memorandum of agreement was signed Tuesday by APECO President and CEO Atty. Gil Taway IV, Yooshin Director and Philippine Regional Representative Jin Ho …

The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) reported a 14-percent increase in consolidated core net income (CCNI) to ₱40 billion as of end-September 2025, driven by strong performance of its power generation business. In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Monday, Meralco said its distribution utility (DU) business remained the biggest income contributor, accounting for 55 percent or ₱21.9 billion …

The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) assured the public on Thursday that its investment operations are guided by strict governance standards and multiple layers of safeguards to ensure the prudent management of its members’ contributions. Speaking at *The Agenda* media forum, GSIS President and General Manager Wick Veloso emphasized that transparency and discipline are at the core of the pension …

The Philippine peso recovered slightly on Thursday, closing at ₱58.69 against the US dollar after touching a record low of ₱59.13 the other week. The local currency strengthened by 44 centavos from its previous level of ₱59.26 to $1. Analysts said the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), which earlier signaled tolerance for a weaker peso, may have intervened in the …

The national government’s total outstanding debt continued its slight decline, settling at ₱17.46 trillion as of end-September 2025, down from ₱17.47 trillion in August, according to the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr). In a statement Thursday, the BTr said the marginal decrease reflected the government’s “sound fiscal discipline, strategic borrowing strategy, and proactive liability management,” supported by stable market conditions …

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) expects inflation in October to settle between 1.4 percent and 2.2 percent, driven by higher prices of rice, fish, vegetables, electricity, and the peso’s depreciation. In a statement Thursday, the BSP said these upward pressures may be partly offset by lower prices of oil, meat, and fruits. “Going forward, the BSP will continue to …

The Manila-based Asian Development Bank (ADB) has expressed renewed commitment to support the Philippines’ energy-sector initiatives as the country seeks to meet growing demand and position itself as a regional energy player. In an interview on the sidelines of the Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW) on Wednesday, ADB Senior Director for Energy Priyantha Wijayatunga said the bank is looking to …

The Swedish government has extended a 12 million Swedish krona (about ₱74 million) grant to support the feasibility study for the Luzon Economic Corridor’s (LEC) flagship Subic-Clark-Manila-Batangas (SCMB) railway project. The Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (OSAPIEA) said the grant agreement between Sweden, through Swedfund International, and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) …