Wednesday, 15 October 2025, 5:40 pm

    Just in

    Top News

    IMF sees persistent trade gap, slower output growth

    The Philippines is expected to continue running a significant current account deficit this year, indicating persistent reliance on foreign capital to fund domestic spending, according to the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) latest World Economic Outlook.

    News Dispatch

    Agriculture

    Global rice glut to drive prices lower in coming months—IRRI

    The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) anticipates further drops in global rice prices from the current range—equivalent to P18 to P20 per kilo, excluding tariffs. The institute points to a world market flooded with supply and aggressive pricing by major exporters as key drivers of the slide.

    Government commits to ‘No Sugar Imports’ until 2026

    Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr., Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) Administrator Paul Azcona, and SRA Board Member and farmers’ representative Dave Sanson met recently to address concerns over the low price of raw sugar seen during the first sugar bidding in Negros on 9 October.

    PH, Brunei sign deal boosting agri-fisheries ties

    The Philippines and Brunei Darussalam have signed a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) to enhance cooperation in the agriculture and fisheries sectors, the Department of Agriculture (DA) announced Tuesday.

    DA pushes agrifood overhaul with FAO

    The Philippines and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations have reaffirmed their long-standing partnership to transform agrifood systems and strengthen food security in Southeast Asia.

    Corporate

    SmarTrade strengthens push for financial literacy with digital learning initiatives

    In a bid to broaden access to financial education, SmarTrade has launched new digital initiatives aimed at equipping Filipinos—particularly young professionals and aspiring traders—with essential knowledge in finance and online trading.

    BSP honors outstanding North Luzon Partners at 2025 OBSAC Ceremony

    The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) honored 16 outstanding institutional partners from North Luzon during the 2025 Outstanding BSP Stakeholders Appreciation Ceremony (OBSAC) held on October 7, 2025.

    JG Summit embraces AI for workforce management

    JG Summit Holdings, Inc. is accelerating its digital transformation by expanding its collaboration with Darwinbox, an AI-powered, mobile-first human capital management (HCM) platform.

    Stronger digital defenses for children launched in Zamboanga City

    Globe Telecom has partnered with the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) and local stakeholders to strengthen efforts against Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Material (CSAEM).

    Banking & Insurance

    spot_img

    Corporate Bulletins

    SmarTrade strengthens push for financial literacy with digital learning initiatives

    In a bid to broaden access to financial education, SmarTrade has launched new digital initiatives aimed at equipping Filipinos—particularly young professionals and aspiring traders—with essential knowledge in finance and online trading.

    BSP honors outstanding North Luzon Partners at 2025 OBSAC Ceremony

    The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) honored 16 outstanding institutional partners from North Luzon during the 2025 Outstanding BSP Stakeholders Appreciation Ceremony (OBSAC) held on October 7, 2025.

    JG Summit embraces AI for workforce management

    JG Summit Holdings, Inc. is accelerating its digital transformation by expanding its collaboration with Darwinbox, an AI-powered, mobile-first human capital management (HCM) platform.

    Stronger digital defenses for children launched in Zamboanga City

    Globe Telecom has partnered with the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) and local stakeholders to strengthen efforts against Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Material (CSAEM).

    Social Responsibility & Sustainability

    SM pushes practical sustainability at industry forum

    SM Investments Corp. underscored its commitment to practical and scalable sustainability efforts during The Dirty Work of Doing Good, a conference hosted by the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Philippines.

    Globe launches GoGIVE for Cebu quake relief

    Globe is calling on its prepaid customers to support...

    From scraps to supper: SM hotels close the loop

    At first glance, these are just like any other hotel kitchen: gleaming countertops, sizzling pans, chefs in crisp whites. But peek behind the swinging doors of several institutions of SM Hotels and Conventions Corp., and you will find something quietly revolutionary simmering—yesterday’s leftovers becoming tomorrow’s harvest.

    Globe strengthens push vs online scams

    Telecommunications firm Globe Telecom underscored the urgent need for united action against online scams during the Global Anti-Scam Summit (GASS) Asia 2025, highlighting its ongoing domestic and international efforts to combat digital fraud.

    Markets

    Fed chairman suggests further US rate cut

    Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Monday signaled the likelihood of further monetary policy easing, saying recent data suggest little change in inflation and employment conditions since the central bank’s last rate cut in September.

    Asiabest sought 10-day trading suspension

    Asiabest International Inc. has requested a 10-day voluntary trading suspension to finalize valuation reports and submit a comprehensive disclosure package on a recent deal. 

    US stocks rebound as Trump dials down trade rhetoric

    US stocks recovered some ground on Monday after President Donald Trump softened his stance toward China, following last week’s threat of higher tariffs starting next month.

    Treasury bill rates fall after BSP rate cut

    Yields on treasury bills fell across the board at...

    Travel

    spot_img

    Energy

    Berde Renewables open to strategic partnerships

    Solar energy firm Berde Renewables Inc. announced Wednesday its openness to partnerships with landowners, commercial and industrial businesses, and solar co-developers nationwide to expand clean energy capacity through site development, rooftop installations, and utility-scale projects.

    Pacific Sun proposes large scale solar farm in Ilocos Norte

    Pacific Sun Renewables Corp. is planning to build a P4.9 billion solar power plant in Paoay, Ilocos Norte. The project aims to generate 120.96 megawatts (MW) of electricity and will cover about 81.81 hectares across Barangays Mumulaan, Suba, and Nagbacalan.

    Ice manufacturer joins Meralco’s retail aggregation program

    MPower, the retail electricity supply arm of Meralco, has expanded its partnership with Mr. Freeze Tube Ice Inc. by transitioning several of the latter’s ice plants into its Retail Aggregation Program (RAP).

    Diesel prices stable for first time in 7 weeks

    The various fuel retailers will implement mixed price adjustments starting Tuesday morning. Gasoline prices will increase by P0.30 per liter, while kerosene prices will decrease by P0.20 per liter. Diesel prices will remain steady with no changes.

    Transport & Communications

    spot_img

    Property

    Megawide wins multi-billion-peso contracts from Megaworld

    Megawide Construction Corp. has secured two new multi-billion-peso contracts from property giant Megaworld Corp. to build residential towers in two of its township developments in Metro Manila, cementing their long-standing partnership.

    GH Tower earns San Juan’s first LEED Gold certification

    Ortigas Land, Inc. has achieved a major sustainability milestone as GH Tower becomes San Juan City’s first LEED Gold-certified prime office building.

    Filinvest merges hospitality units for expansion

    Filinvest Development Corp. (FDC), the listed investment holding company of the Gotianun Group, has approved a plan to consolidate several wholly-owned subsidiaries under its hospitality division as part of an internal corporate restructuring initiative.

    JLL brokers Vikings Group’s acquisition in prime Makati location

    Global real estate services firm JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated) has successfully brokered the Vikings Group’s acquisition of a prime commercial lot in Magallanes, Makati City, marking a strategic move for the expanding company to establish its new office headquarters in Metro Manila’s key business district.

    Environment

    spot_img

    Technology

    Globe Business launches cybersecurity podcast series for enterprises

    Globe Business has reintroduced its Technically Speaking thought leadership series in a new long-form podcast format focused on cybersecurity and digital resilience.

    Altman-backed program appeals NPC ban on identity project

    World, the digital identity project co-founded by Sam Altman and developed by Tools for Humanity (TFH), said Thursday it will file a motion for reconsideration with the National Privacy Commission (NPC) following a cease and desist order (CDO) that halted its Philippine operations.

    Kaspersky warns of rising deepfake threat, urges swift registration

    Global cybersecurity firm Kaspersky has warned Filipinos of the growing danger posed by deepfake technology and urged the government to implement stronger legislation to combat this emerging cyber threat.

    MediaTek sends flagship SoC to TSMC for fabrication

    MediaTek has announced the successful tape-out of its next-generation flagship system-on-chip (SoC) using TSMC’s enhanced N2P 2nm process, becoming one of the first companies to do so. The chip is expected to enter volume production by late 2026.

    Health & Science

    spot_img

    Opinion

    Cebu quake exposes structural, systemic fault lines

    The recent 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck Bogo City, Cebu on September 30, offers more than just a regional wake-up call—it delivers a national warning.

    World Food Day: The feast, the famine, and the fix

    The world produces more than enough food. Yet 673 million people still go hungry. This is not a failure of farming—it is a failure of fairness.

    A nation unsettled: Protests, Violence and a reckoning in Manila

    On Sunday, September 21, tens of thousands of Filipinos flooded Manila’s most iconic protest sites—Luneta, Liwasang Bonifacio, and the EDSA People Power Monument—with a singular demand: accountability for systemic corruption in government.

    Balancing Bets: PAGCOR’s high-stakes gamble on trust

    The Philippine gaming industry finds itself in a curious bind—riding the wave of digital innovation with one hand, while trying to put out moral fires with the other.

    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,...