Wednesday, 03 September 2025, 3:27 am

    Just in

    Top News

    Muted PMI keeps rate cut debate alive at BSP

    The country's manufacturing index or the PMI proved little changed in August, to 50.8 during the month from a three-month high of 50.9 in July, indicating continued growth in the sector closely watched by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) as one of a number of guides for monetary policy crafting.

    News Dispatch

    Agriculture

    DA intensifies anti-smuggling drive, urges law reforms for stronger enforcement

    The Department of Agriculture (DA) has ramped up efforts to combat agricultural smuggling, with P3.78 billion worth of illegal goods seized since January 2024. However, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. told the Senate that enforcement gaps in the current law are hindering progress.

    Agricultural trade deficit widens in July

    The Philippines remained a net importer of agricultural products in July, as total import receipts continued to dwarf exports despite a double-digit surge in outbound shipments, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed.

    DA dismisses fertilizer fraud claims as “fake news”

    Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has firmly rejected claims by the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (Sinag) of alleged “ghost deliveries” in the Department of Agriculture’s fertilizer distribution program, labeling the accusations as “fake news” and lacking evidence.

    Cacao farming at the core of new livelihood drive in Aklan

    Security Bank Corp. (SBC), in partnership with Angat Pinas, Inc. and local NGO BUSOE Inc., has launched the Integrated Community Development Project in Malinao, Aklan — with cacao farming as a central component of its sustainable livelihood initiative.

    Corporate

    SEC flags Pegasus International for illegal investment scheme

    The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued a stern warning against engaging with Pegasus International Ventures Inc., citing its unauthorized investment solicitation and potentially fraudulent operations.

    Vitarich to acquire Broilers Club for P280M

    Vitarich Corp. has approved a P280-million acquisition of Broilers Club Inc. (BCI), a poultry firm with breeder farm facilities in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, marking a key strategic move to expand its breeder operations.

    APECO relaunches ecozone villas in strategic tourism push

    The Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) will reopen its newly renovated tourism facilities next month, signaling a strategic move to boost local economic activity and strengthen its role in the development of Northern Aurora’s Dinalungan-Casiguran-Dilasag (DiCaDi) corridor.

    Insurer launches guaranteed income solutions for Filipinos

    Pru Life UK has unveiled two new financial products—PRUSteady Income and PRUWealth 10—designed to offer guaranteed income and protection, reinforcing its commitment to helping Filipinos navigate financial uncertainty with confidence.

    Banking & Insurance

    spot_img

    Corporate Bulletins

    Insurer launches guaranteed income solutions for Filipinos

    Pru Life UK has unveiled two new financial products—PRUSteady Income and PRUWealth 10—designed to offer guaranteed income and protection, reinforcing its commitment to helping Filipinos navigate financial uncertainty with confidence.

    PH launches GASA Chapter to tackle online scams

    Globe Telecom has assumed the chairmanship of the newly launched Philippine Chapter of the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA), marking a major step in the country’s fight against digital fraud. Tech firm Gogolook and social media giant Meta serve as vice chairs.

    Microenterprises get big boost from BPI, DTI partnership

    The Bank of the Philippine Islands's (BPI) social development arm BPI Foundation (BPIF) has rolled out its Small Enterprise Acceleration Lab – Business Expansion through Training and Application (SEAL-BETA) in Rizal and five other provinces, in hopes of boosting microenterprise growth and economic inclusion.

    BPI brings banking to drugstores in push for financial inclusion

    Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) president and CEO Jose Teodoro “TG” Limcaoco visited Rodamel Drugstore in Tuguegarao to highlight the bank’s push toward more inclusive, community-based banking through its “May BPI Dito” initiative.

    Social Responsibility & Sustainability

    SM TESDA scale up jobs and skills initiative

    SM Investments Corp. is scaling up its Jobs Opportunities Building Skills (J.O.B.S.) program by integrating TESDA-accredited skills training into its nationwide job fairs.

    Ayala equips retiring troops for life beyond the military

    Forty-two retiring members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are stepping into civilian life with renewed confidence after completing Ayala Corporation’s Saludo sa Serbisyo Career Assistance Program, a 5-day training initiative aimed at equipping them for the job market.

    BDO Foundation wins for farmer-focused finance program

    BDO Foundation’s financial education program KITA (Kapital at Ipon Tungo sa Asenso) Mo Na! has been named Financial Inclusion Initiative of the Year at the 2025 Asian Banking & Finance (ABF) Retail Banking Awards.

    Brigadang Ayala shifts to skills-based school support

    The Ayala Group has expanded its support for the Department of Education’s Balik Eskwela initiative by deploying over 2,400 employee volunteers to 116 schools nationwide through its Brigadang Ayala Balik Eskwela program.

    Markets

    Gold lifts mineral production despite nickel slump

    The country's metallic mineral production increased by 15.1 percent in the first half of 2025, reaching ₱135.62 billion, up from ₱117.78 billion in the same period last year, according to a preliminary report released by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) on Monday.

    NVIDIA reports 56% surge in 2Q revenue on AI gains

    NVIDIA, the tech giant that is the world’s most valuable stock, reported second-quarter revenue of USD46.7 billion, up 56 percent year-on-year, fueled by soaring demand for its Blackwell AI platform. Revenue was also up 6 percent from the first quarter, suggesting growth momentum is still intact.

    Investors seen shifting to long-term bonds on rate cut prospects

    Investors may increase allocations to long-term government bonds as expectations rise for a policy rate cut by the central bank, according to Manulife Investment Management. 

    DoubleDragon expects strong market reception for retail bond

    DoubleDragon Corp. expects an anticipated interest rate cut by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas later this week to bolster market reception for its P10.9 billion retail bond scheduled in September.

    Travel

    spot_img

    Energy

    ACEN offloads diesel assets in push for 100% renewables

    ACEN Corp. has completed the sale of its ownership interests in three diesel-fired power plants, totaling 189 megawatts (MW), to its affiliate and majority shareholder, AC Energy and Infrastructure Corp. (ACEIC), in a move seen as a strategic step toward its full renewable energy (RE) transition.

    ACEN’s  Robbins Island wind project secures approval

    ACEN Corp., the renewable energy arm of the Ayala Group, said the 900 MW Robbins Island wind project in Australia has secured Federal Government approval, a major boost to one of the largest private investments in Tasmania’s history and a pivotal step in Australia's clean energy transition.

    Fuel prices rise Tuesday amid global supply fears

    Starting Tuesday morning, the various fuel retailers will implement significant price increases, with diesel rising by P1.00 per liter, and both gasoline and kerosene climbing by P0.70 per liter.

    First Gen trains youth for climate leadership

    Clean energy leader First Gen Corp. recently hosted the Youth for Climate and Energy Leadership Summit (YCELS), a dual-location event aimed at equipping youth leaders with the skills and knowledge to address climate and energy challenges in their communities.

    Transport & Communications

    spot_img

    Property

    LFM Properties plans P1B stock rights offer

    Listed real estate developer LFM Properties Inc. is planning to raise at least P1 billion through a stock rights offering as it gears up for expansion.

    Partnership brings easier home loans for TLDC buyers

    Torre Lorenzo Development Corp. (TLDC), a leading developer of premium university residences in the Philippines, has partnered with Security Bank Corp. to offer expanded home financing options for property buyers.

    CPG enters Mindanao with P5.3-B GenSan housing project

    Phirst Park Homes Inc., the horizontal housing arm of Century Properties Group (CPG), announced the launch of a P5.3 billion residential development in General Santos City — its first project in Mindanao.

    Relocations reshape property market

    Corporate relocations, particularly by government agencies, and the decentralization of business operations are reshaping the Philippine real estate landscape, according to property consultant Prime Philippines. The firm noted that pending public sector relocations in Metro Manila could boost office occupancy, while business process outsourcing (BPO) growth continues to spur demand in regional hubs such as Clark, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, and Bacolod.

    Environment

    spot_img

    Technology

    Musk sues Apple, OpenAI over alleged antitrust violations 

    X Corp. and xAI, two companies of billionaire Elon Musk, have filed a lawsuit in the Texas federal court that accuses Apple Inc. and OpenAI of engaging in anticompetitive practices that allegedly violate U.S. antitrust laws and stifle innovation in the artificial intelligence and mobile app markets.

    Final PIXEL Academy session to demystify TikTok algorithm for aspiring creators

    The final session of PIXEL Academy is set to take place on 30 August 2025, at Thames International School, Inc., marking a significant milestone in Eplayment’s ongoing initiative to empower content creators in the digital space.

    NutriAsia migrates core systems to cloud in major digital shift

    NutriAsia, the country’s leading manufacturer of condiments and sauces, has successfully migrated its core enterprise systems to the cloud, marking a major milestone in its digital transformation journey.

    JICA aided crisis management tool launches in Manila

    The chief representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency...

    Health & Science

    spot_img

    Opinion

    Duty, drugs, dismissal

    It was a sight to behold: billions of pesos worth of seized drugs, sealed in plastic, and under heavy security fed into a roaring industrial incinerator. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stood by, face mask on, watching calmly, almost dispassionately.

    A Promise the Nation Can’t Comprehend

    For years, the Philippines has looked ahead with optimism, banking on its so-called “demographic sweet spot.” With around two-thirds of the population between the ages of 15 and 65, the country seemed poised for rapid economic growth—a young, able-bodied workforce ready to fuel productivity and progress.

    Vote smart or pay the price

    You can feel it in the air, even if no one says it out loud. The world is tilting, and tension is building between countries that no longer trust each other. The US and China—two giants locked in a stare-down—are turning tariffs into weapons. Everyone knows what comes next: slower global growth, just when the world is finally getting back on its feet after the pandemic.

    The Duterte Arrest: A Complicated Affair of Sovereignty and Justice

    Here we are again, watching the political drama unfold with the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte. It’s strange how something that’s supposed to be about justice often turns into a series of complex, tangled arguments, full of political posturing and personal pride.

    Sports & Entertainment

    spot_img

    Exclusive

    Boeing deepens strategy cuts as operations take center-stage – sources

    Boeing Co has embarked on deeper-than-expected cuts in its strategy ranks, halving the number of planners working within key divisions as it refocuses energies on tackling industrial pressures, people familiar with the matter said.

    Maynilad may consider sourcing water from Manila Bay if desalination cost eases to affordable levels

    Maynilad Water Services Inc., the water utility of Metro Pacific Investment Corp., may consider Manila Bay as source of potable water for its concession area in Metropolitan Manila and nearby towns if the cost of desalination comes down or large consumers such as factories start extracting water from the salt-water bay for their needs.

    Converge mulls sale-leaseback deal for fiber network, plans dividend payout

    With the aggressive fiber network rollout behind it, Converge...

    Converge’s Dennis Anthony Uy Plans $1 Billion “Silicon Valley” Project In Pampanga

    Dennis Anthony Uy, co-founder of publicly listed Converge ICT,...