Business

The Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) is calling on Filipinos to take part in the Bureau of the Treasury’s (BTr) latest Retail Treasury Bonds (RTB-31), saying it’s a safe and rewarding way to grow savings while helping fund the country’s development projects. DBP President and CEO Michael de Jesus said the bonds offer steady returns and low risk, making …

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a USD400 million loan to help the Philippines tackle hunger, food insecurity, and poor nutrition through the government’s Walang Gutom (Zero Hunger) Food Stamp program. The funding will provide monthly electronic food vouchers to 750,000 food-insecure households nationwide, enabling them to buy healthy and nutritious food.  “With nearly half of Filipinos unable to …

Approved foreign investment pledges in the Philippines surged to ₱67.38 billion in the second quarter of 2025, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported. The Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan, Board of Investments, Bangsamoro Board of Investments, Clark Development Corporation, Clark International Airport Corporation, Philippine Economic Zone Authority, and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority greenlit the projects. Singapore led all …

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairperson Francis Lim on Friday urged finance executives of local firms to help strengthen the country’s market integrity by ensuring strict adherence to governance standards in all transactions. Speaking at the 8th general membership meeting of the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (FINEX) in Makati City, Lim said integrity remains “the invisible currency” of …

The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) last week stood firm behind its ₱1-billion investment in DigiPlus Interactive Corp., insisting that the state pension fund remains “strong, secure, and actuarially sound” despite growing criticism and heightened congressional scrutiny. In a statement, GSIS welcomed the public interest in its investment decisions and expressed readiness to submit all pertinent documents to regulators. “We …

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 …