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Agriculture
NFA taps rice mills to boost Mindanao palay output
The National Food Authority (NFA) has partnered with 15 rice mills in Soccsksargen under an emergency program to strengthen food security and free up warehouse space to buy palay from about 1,100 farmers in Central Mindanao, the Department of Agriculture (DA) announced Tuesday.
British Chamber backs pork import reforms, lower tariffs
The British Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines said the government’s decision to maintain lower tariffs on pork imports and revisit the Minimum Access Volume (MAV) system could strengthen agricultural trade between the United Kingdom and the Philippines while helping stabilize domestic food prices.
PCC flags rice trade data-sharing risks amid cap
The Philippine Competition Commission has warned rice importers against sharing sensitive trade information as it monitors compliance with the government’s temporary rice price cap, stressing that businesses must make independent market decisions to preserve fair competition.
DA acquires rice quality analyzer to boost standards, enforcement and market governance
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has secured a rice quality analyzer (RQA) for the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), a key policy move to enforce national rice standards, build a reliable grains database, and fully implement the amended Agricultural Tariffication Law.
Corporate
Aboitiz Equity secures ‘A-’ rating From JCR, cites strong portfolio and resilient earnings
Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. (AEV) has earned an “A-” long-term foreign currency issuer rating with a Stable outlook from the Japan Credit Rating Agency, Ltd. (JCR). This confirms the company’s investment-grade standing and underscores the strength of its diverse businesses, careful spending strategy, and steady earnings.
AEV wins ‘A-’ rating amid expansion push
Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. (AEV) has secured an “A-” foreign currency long-term issuer rating with a “Stable” outlook from Japan Credit Rating Agency, Ltd., reinforcing the conglomerate’s investment-grade standing as it accelerates expansion across power, banking, infrastructure, and consumer businesses.
SMC Tollways 1Q 2026 profit rises 7% on strong traffic, lower costs
SMC Tollways Corp. reported a 7 percent growth in net income for the first quarter of 2026, reaching P12.62 billion, up from P2.44 billion in the same period last year. Consolidated total revenue rose 4 percent to P5.66 billion, fueled by higher vehicle volume across all expressway networks.
MPower to supply Calamba Medical Center with relianle, cost-effective electriicity
MPower, the retail electricity arm of Meralco, will provide power supply to Calamba Medical Center (CMC) in Laguna to meet its growing energy needs. Under the agreement, five service accounts will be covered by the Retail Aggregation Program and one under the Competitive Retail Electricity Market, giving the hospital access to competitive rates and greater supply flexibility.
Corporate Bulletins
MPower to supply Calamba Medical Center with relianle, cost-effective electriicity
MPower, the retail electricity arm of Meralco, will provide power supply to Calamba Medical Center (CMC) in Laguna to meet its growing energy needs. Under the agreement, five service accounts will be covered by the Retail Aggregation Program and one under the Competitive Retail Electricity Market, giving the hospital access to competitive rates and greater supply flexibility.
PhilEnergy 2026 targets Philippines’ pressing energy challenges
As the Philippines grapples with rising electricity prices, volatile oil costs, and mounting pressure to transition to cleaner energy, industry leaders are positioning the 4th edition of PhilEnergy Expo 2026 as a critical platform for shaping the country’s energy future.
GSIS names new trustee, honors outgoing member’s service
The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has welcomed Rolando Toledo to its board of trustees, while commending outgoing trustee Beatriz Torno for her long-standing public service. This move supports the state pension fund’s goal to strengthen governance and improve services for members and retirees.
Security Bank, MUFG mark 10 years of partnership linking PH to global capital
Security Bank Corp. and MUFG Bank, Ltd. are celebrating a decade of their strategic alliance, first launched in 2016. As the first equity partnership between a Philippine bank and a major Japanese global bank, this collaboration has connected local businesses to international capital, expanded regional reach, and driven sustainable growth.
Social Responsibility & Sustainability
Home Credit boosts employee financial welness amid resilience gap
While financial literacy among Filipino adults rose to 74 percent in 2025 (up from 69 percent in 2021), only 30 percent have enough savings for emergencies, per the latest Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas survey.
Ayala Land hits the brakes on cars, not fun
Ayala Land, Inc. is bringing its popular Car-Free Sundays to Davao and Negros, giving residents a rare chance to reclaim city streets for people instead of traffic.
foodpanda Philippines distributes P62M rider incentives
foodpanda Philippines has distributed over P62 million in incentives to its Ka-panda delivery partners from March to May 2026 through nationwide add-on incentive quests aimed at boosting rider earnings and engagement.
MPIF assesing Tubbataha Reefs health in exploration dive
Metro Pacific Investments Foundation (MPIF) is holding the Shore It Up! Tubbataha Exploration Dive until May 27, 2026, by bringing together experts to assess the health of the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park — a critical Philippine marine sanctuary and global biodiversity site in the Sulu Sea.
Markets
Inflation jitters weigh on Philippine peso, stocks
The peso and Philippine equities continued to face mounting pressure as investors grappled with persistent inflation concerns, global market volatility, and cautious sentiment over the domestic outlook.
Filipinos shift toward affordable, convenience-led retail
The Philippine retail landscape is undergoing a clear shift as consumers increasingly prioritize affordability and convenience, driving a rebound for neighborhood sari-sari stores while traditional supermarkets continue to lose ground.
Senator Aquino wars new ad rules burden MSMEs
Senator Bam Aquino has once again criticized the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), raising concerns that a proposed regulation requiring permits for advertisements and promotional campaigns could create an additional bureaucratic burden for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and online sellers.
Peso near lows as markets turn defensive
The Philippine peso is again nearing record lows as persistent inflation, geopolitical tensions, and strong US dollar demand continue to pressure local markets. Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort said the peso could retest historic weakness after falling 1.8% this week and approaching the April 30 intraday low of P61.75 against the dollar.
Energy
ERC proposes key reforms to address PH power sector challenges
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is pushing for critical updates to Philippine power market rules and systems, aiming to fix current gaps and adapt to modern energy needs. The proposed changes carry major policy weight, as they seek to make power supply more reliable, affordable, and responsive to changing conditions.
Fuel prices to rise across all variants this week
Prices of gasoline, diesel, and kerosene will increase nationwide this week, the Department of Energy (DOE) confirmed on Monday.
JNEC to supply power to Manila Ocean Park, eyes expansion to other sites
Local power company Jin Navitas Electric Corp. (JNEC) will serve as the official retail electricity supplier of Manila Ocean Park under a two-year agreement, with an option to extend.
Dupinga Hydro Plant cleared for commercial operations
Dupinga Mini Hydro Corp. (DMHC) has secured a Certificate of Compliance (COC) from the Energy Regulatory Commission for its 5-megawatt Dupinga Run-of-River (ROR) Power Plant, paving the way for the facility’s commercial operations.
Property
Ayala Malls reimagines spaces for work, community
Ayala Malls is repositioning its malls as multi-use community hubs with the launch of Our Common Place, an initiative that transforms retail environments into flexible spaces for work, rest, connection, and social support.
Filinvest Land leasing revenues rise amid mall growth
Filinvest Land, Inc. said its mall business continued to strengthen in the first quarter, with leasing revenues climbing 17 percent year-on-year to P744 million as higher tenant occupancy and stronger consumer traffic boosted recurring income.
Filreit adds Gatestone as new tenant in Alabang office hub
Filinvest REIT Corp. (Filreit) has welcomed Gatestone and Co., a global customer experience and digital transformation company, as its newest international tenant.
Filinvest boosts liquidity through aggressive inventory sales
Filinvest Land, Inc. strengthened its balance sheet in the first quarter of 2026 after cutting unsold residential inventory by P4.1 billion, highlighting the company’s push to improve capital efficiency amid a more selective property market.
Technology
Globe launches new connectivity solutions to ease cost pressures for consumers, businesses
Globe Telecom Inc. introduced a wide range of mobile, home, and enterprise solutions on Tuesday, designed to help Filipinos cope with economic challenges and rising expenses.
PEZA eyes advanced manufacturing growth
Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) underscored the critical role of advanced manufacturing sectors—particularly electronics, automotive, and die and mold industries—in driving investments, exports, and employment as it intensifies efforts to build a more resilient industrial ecosystem.
DITO launches StreamZone data bundles with streaming perks nationwide
DITO Telecommunity has expanded its prepaid lifestyle offerings with DITO StreamZone, a new set of data packages made specifically for video streaming users across the Philippines.
EMS Group ramps up for AI boom
Philippine electronics manufacturer EMS Group is accelerating capacity expansion as global demand for artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure fuels a surge in orders for power supply components and circuit boards used in high-performance computing systems.
Opinion
Senate descends to institutional absurdity
If anyone still believed the Philippine Senate had reached rock bottom, the May 25 session suggested there was, in fact, a trapdoor beneath the floor.
Senate power shift risks Estrada-style backlash
The sudden leadership shake-up in the Senate ahead of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Dutertel may yet prove a poisoned chalice—a glittering prize that offers control today but threatens political liability tomorrow.
A house divided: Lopez family rift tests corporate governance
“Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every house divided against itself will not stand.” In the Lopez corporate universe, the verse now reads less like scripture and more like a live governance case file—complete with injunctions, contested boardrooms, and competing versions of who nearly switched off the lights.
The Days Ahead
Several things have changed over the past month. The global economy is now poised to face another severe slowdown and rising inflation as a result of the Middle East conflict. While the impact on countries may differ in magnitude, the oil supply shock will squeeze economic activity and raise prices significantly.
Exclusive
Visayas roots, Singapore routes: Top Line redraws its map
Singapore is no longer just a distant dot on Top Line Business Development Corp.’s growth chart. It has become a very literal marker of how far the company has travelled in 12 years, from a Visayas-based real estate developer to an emerging energy player now thinking in global supply routes.
Sunlight Air chooses precision over size aloft
In an aviation industry often driven by scale and speed, Sunlight Air is taking a more measured route. The boutique carrier is building its business around efficiency, discipline, and destination depth, convinced that smarter operations can deliver both commercial returns and environmental gains.
PSAC urges stronger funding for Philippines startups
The Private Sector Advisory Council is raising a clear warning. In a recent meeting with the Department of Trade and Industry, PSAC said the Philippine startup scene is slipping behind Southeast Asian peers, not for lack of ideas but for lack of capital that actually moves.
Tariffs rattle, AI thrives: Gruppo EMS builds ahead
Amid escalating US-China trade tensions and renewed tariff uncertainty from Washington, EMS Group of Companies is expanding production, accelerating its push into artificial intelligence hardware, and positioning the Philippines as an increasingly strategic alternative manufacturing base for global electronics firms.
