January, 2026

• 26 January

  Another challenging year for DOTr 

  

  By DIEGO C. CAGAHASTIAN and JONATHAN P. GESMUNDO The year 2025 was filled with exciting challenges for the Department of Transportation (DOTr), some of which were not of its own making. DOTr was inadvertently enmeshed in the spill-over of the flood control scandal that hit the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), a massive controversy involving past DPWH secretaries, undersecretaries, district engineers, and unit heads—in connivance with leaders of the House of Representatives, the Senate and Malacanang Palace.  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had to pull out then Transportation Secretary Vince …

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• 26 January

  2026 budget gives hope to cement sector

  

  The construction industry and its sibling businesses such as suppliers of construction materials were unfortunately hit by the flood of corruption which their leaders and corrupt government officials brought on the nation. This was during the last two quarters of 2025, during the height of the multi-billion peso flood control scandal in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) …

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• 26 January

  From Struggle to Solutions: How Filipino Innovators Are Reimagining 2026

  

  UNLEASH Philippines, a local innovation program of UNLEASH initiative which aims to empower young changemakers and early-stage innovators using collaborative, user-centered design and prototyping methods.  With the closing of 2025 and the start of 2026, UNLEASH Philippines helped shine a light to pressing issues in the country and equip individuals striving to enact change and strengthen solution efforts during a …

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• 26 January

  ICCP Sees PSEi Gradually Advancing Toward 7,000 in 2026 on Rate Cuts, Market Reforms

  The Philippine stock market has room to move higher in 2026 as easing interest rates, improving capital market regulations, and a more stable macroeconomic environment support a gradual recovery, according to the Investment & Capital Corporation of the Philippines (ICCP). ICCP President and COO Manny Ocampo said the recent rise in the Philippine Stock Exchange index reflects a “catch-up” phase …

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• 26 January

  InLife realigns strategy, completes sale of HMO business

  

  First and largest Filipino life insurer InLife completed the sale of its shareholdings in iCare HMO to Value-Based Health Care PF PTE. LTD. (VBHC) of Singapore, subject to regulatory approval. This is part of InLife’s strategic move to streamline its portfolio and concentrate on life insurance and corporate solutions enabling more comprehensive solutions for clients nationwide. “This realignment allows us to …

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• 26 January

  DEEPAL chooses Autohub Group exclusive distributor

  

  DEEPAL is set to be introduced soon in the local market and Autohub Group is strengthening its push into next-generation mobility by marking a significant step in the company’s expansion within the electrified vehicle space. Autohub was appointed the exclusive Philippine distributor of DEEPAL following a contract signing on middle of this month formalized with Changan Auto Southeast Asia. The agreement establishes the foundation for the brand’s long-term development and …

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• 26 January

  Vinfast contributes to mobility future

  

  Vinfast is on a roll these days as it rolls out various pioneering electric car policies and significantly broadening its product lineup in the local market. ​Last week, Vinfast Philippines, led by Vinfas chief executive officer Toti Zara, unveiled its Battery Subscription Program, an important step in the brand’s evolving approach to electric mobility in the Philippines  Zara disclosed that this is VinFast long-term approach for the electric mobility in the local market …

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• 26 January

  Denza now in the Philippines

  

  DENZA, the premium new energy vehicle of BYD, formally entered the Philippine automotive market when top international officials from the BYD Asia-Pacific Auto Sales Division conferred the official dealership certificates to its first batch of dealerships during a media briefing recently at the Denza Makati showroom in Makati City. ​Denza’s initial dealer partners include: Denza Alabang and Denza Cebu, operated by ACMobility Premium Dealership Inc.; Denza Makati, operated by Harmony New Energy Auto …

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• 26 January

  Grab partners with GAC 

  

  Grab, Southeast Asia’s leading superapp, and GAC, a global pioneer in smart electric mobility, forged a strategic partnershi, to deploy an initial 20,000 high-performance electric vehicles across Southeast Asia.  Grab and GAC will introduce three of the latter’s star models—AionY, AionES, and Aion V — across Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand, further enhancing the diversity of Grab’s EV fleets. Beyond increasing the diversity and …

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• 26 January

  Chery posts big global sales 

  

  Chery recorded total global sales for 2025 to a historic 2,806,393 units, the highest in Chery’s history. Chery sold 244,928 vehicles in December 2025 alone. ​The leading global automotive brand closed out 2025 with record-breaking worldwide sales and reinforced its growing momentum in the Philippine market. The year marked several major milestones for the brand such as: 1,344,020 vehicles exported, reflecting a 17.4% …

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