Sunday, 15 June 2025, 4:40 pm

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    External debt surge narrows BSP policy space

    The country's external debt climbed to US$146.74 billion as of end-March 2025, marking a 6.6 percent increase quarter-on-quarter and 14 percent rise year-on-year, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

    News Dispatch

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    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,...

    Agriculture

    Cold storage for rice seeds now in key provinces

    The Department of Agriculture (DA) has expressed its gratitude to the South Korean government for its sustained support—channeled through Official Development Assistance (ODA) Korea—toward the Philippines’ efforts to modernize its rice sector, a key pillar of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. 's broader food security agenda.

    New PSA carcass formula sparks swine sector concern

    A recent decision by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) to revise the carcass conversion rate for certain livestock has sparked concern in the swine industry, which continues to struggle following the first African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak in 2019.

    DA chief backs gradual, well-timed rice tariff hike

    Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. told Congress on Wednesday that the Department of Agriculture (DA) has recommended to the Tariff Commission that any future increase in the rice import duty—from the current 15 percent back to the previous 35 percent—be implemented gradually and timed strategically to minimize its impact on both local and global markets.

    Philippines lifts import ban on bird, poultry products from Belgium

    The Department of Agriculture (DA) has lifted a temporary ban on the importation of domestic and wild birds, including poultry products, from Belgium, following confirmation that the recent avian flu outbreak has been fully contained.

    Corporate

    Lexmark taps PLDT iGate for global connectivity boost

    PLDT Enterprise has entered a strategic partnership with Lexmark Research and Development Corp. to deliver robust digital infrastructure solutions, underscoring a significant corporate alignment aimed at enhancing global operational efficiency and collaboration.

    SEC clears Aboitiz Power’s P100-B bond shelf program

    The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved Aboitiz Power Corp.’s shelf registration for up to P100 billion in fixed-rate bonds over three years, the company said following the SEC's en banc approval.

    FPIP, locators join Brigada Eskwela in Tanauan

    Volunteers from Lopez-led First Philippine Industrial Park (FPIP) joined the annual Brigada Eskwela pre-school opening activities of the Department of Education (DepEd) in Tanauan, Batangas, to show their support for the city hosting the world-class industrial park.

    Maynilad rates up slightly; Manila Water bills set to drop

    Starting in July, Maynilad customers will see a slight increase in water rates while Manila Water consumers will benefit from a small reduction following adjustments approved by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System-Regulatory Office (MWSS-RO).

    Banking & Insurance

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    Markets

    Stocks slide as Israel-Iran conflict reignites

    Wall Street wrapped up the week on a sour note as renewed tensions between Israel and Iran rattled global markets on Friday. 

    Oracle earnings propel stocks, Ellison to world’s 2nd richest

    Strong earnings—and an even stronger outlook—sent Oracle Corp. shares soaring to an all-time high on Thursday, adding an estimated USD26 billion to the net worth of co-founder Larry Ellison, enough to make him the world second wealthiest man, at least on paper.

    PSE slashes STT under new law

    The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) announced it will slash the stock transaction tax (STT) to 0.1 percent from the current 0.6 percent starting 1 July 2025, in line with the implementation of the Capital Markets Efficiency Promotion Act (CMEPA).

    Market rebounds but remains cautious amid global uncertainty

    The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) ended May at 6,341, marking a 9 percent rebound from its 7 April low but still registering a 3 percent decline year-to-date, the securities unit of the Bank of the Philippine Islands said in a research note Thursday.

    Travel

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    Energy

    ERC sets final reserve price structure under latest green auction

    The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has approved the final reserve price structure under the fourth round of the Green Energy Auction Program (GEA4), setting the policy framework for the competitive bidding of over 10,000 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy capacity.

    BDO backs solar project in Nueva Ecija

    BDO Unibank, Inc. (BDO) has committed the largest share to the ₱150 billion project finance facility for MTerra Solar, said to become the world’s largest integrated solar and battery storage facility.

    Floating solar gets a lift in revised DOE auction plan

    The Department of Energy (DOE) has expanded the target capacity under the 4th Green Energy Auction (GEA4) to 10,653 MW, up from 10,478 MW, highlighting a policy shift to bolster floating solar deployment.

    SPC secures green light for 48 MW Iloilo solar project

    Listed energy firm SPC Power Corp. is embarking on an aggressive expansion into renewable energy and battery energy storage systems (BESS), with a target of adding 500 megawatts (MW) of capacity to its portfolio by 2029.

    Transport & Communications

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    Property

    DMCI Homes thrives on cautious buyer shift

    DMCI Homes Inc., the residential arm of listed engineering giant DMCI Holdings Inc., reported sustained buyer interest in its residential development, even as industry analysts warn of a supply glut in parts of Metro Manila.

    SM Hotels eyes strong growth with 7 hotels

    SM Hotels and Convention Corp., the hospitality arm of SM Prime Holdings Inc., is set to significantly expand its national footprint, unveiling plans to launch seven new hotels by the end of 2029. This aggressive five-year expansion will increase its hotel count from 10 to 17 and raise room capacity by 51 percent, to 3,923 from 2,602 rooms.

    BDO CEO gets P35M in property dividends

    Nestor V. Tan, president and chief executive officer of BDO Unibank Inc.,has received P35 million worth of  shares as property dividends issued by the banking arm of the SM Group.

    IDC Homes plans twin JV projects in Palawan, Misamis

    Italpinas Development Corp. said its board has authorized its subsidiary, IDC Homes Inc., to enter into two joint property development projects in Palawan and Misamis Oriental.

    Environment

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    Technology

    Disney, Universal sue AI-powered image generator for copyright infringement

    Disney and Universal have filed a joint lawsuit against AI-powered imaged generator Midjourney, accusing it of mass copyright infringement for allowing users to generate images resembling characters from Star Wars, Shrek, The Simpsons, and Minions without authorization.

    $25M deepfake heist exposes gaps in global ID verification

    iProov, a global leader in biometric identity verification, has identified a newly active cybercriminal group codenamed “Grey Nickel”  targeting the financial sector through sophisticated, AI-powered attacks designed to bypass digital identity verification systems.

    Gen Z digital habits prime targets for hackers

    Cybercriminals are increasingly exploiting Gen Z’s digital lifestyle—turning fast fashion, nostalgia, FOMO, and oversharing into attack vectors, according to cybersecurity firm Kaspersky. In response, the company has launched Case 404, an interactive game designed to help Gen Z users recognize cyberthreats in their everyday online habits.

    Lenovo unveils AI-powered desktops and monitors for smarter workspaces

    Lenovo has unveiled its new ThinkCentre M Series Gen 6 desktops and ThinkVision T Series Gen 40 monitors, designed to enhance productivity, multitasking, and manageability in corporate and commercial environments.

    Health & Science

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    Opinion

    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.

    Ayuda: A lifeline for struggling Filipinos

    The latest surveys are in, and they’ve made something pointedly clear: Filipinos are firmly standing behind the government’s social assistance programs.

    Sports & Entertainment

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