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Electricity spot market prices surge in April

Electricity prices at the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) rose by 30.6 percent in April, reaching an average of P5.36 per kilowatt-hour from P4.31 in March, according to the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP).

News Dispatch

Agriculture

PH seafood exports hit P31.68B at Spain expo

Philippine seafood exporters secured about P31.68 billion in booked and negotiated sales during the 32nd Seafood Expo Global in Barcelona, Spain, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).

DA imposes temporary import ban on FMD-susceptible commodities from Greece

The Department of Agriculture has imposed a temporary ban on the importation of live animals and animal products from Greece following confirmed cases of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the European country.

DA braces farmers, consumers ahead of strong El Niño

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said that the Department of Agriculture (DA) has intensified efforts to prepare local farmers and consumers for a potentially strong El Niño event, which could shrink harvests and disrupt the food supply.

Mayon ashfall damages farms in Albay; DA rolls out aid

Ashfall and ongoing volcanic activity from Mayon Volcano have damaged farms in Albay, affecting hundreds of farmers and causing millions of pesos in losses, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Corporate

Honda Philippines hits 12 million sales milestone

Honda Philippines, Inc. has reached 12 million cumulative motorcycle sales as of April 30, 2026, marking a major milestone for the country’s leading motorcycle manufacturer.

BPI named only PH bank in Best Workplaces 2026 list

Bank of the Philippine Islands has been named one of the Best Workplaces™ in the Philippines for 2026 by Great Place to Work, becoming the only bank in the country to make this year’s list.

DigiPlus credits bold pandemic pivot for online gaming rise

DigiPlus Interactive Corp. said its rise as the Philippines’ leading online gaming company began as a “leap of faith” when it shifted from traditional bingo halls to digital entertainment during the pandemic.

Ayala Q1 profit flat as property business slows

Ayala Corporation on Wednesday reported nearly flat earnings in the first quarter as weaker property sales at Ayala Land, Inc. weighed on overall results.

Banking & Insurance

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Corporate Bulletins

Honda Philippines hits 12 million sales milestone

Honda Philippines, Inc. has reached 12 million cumulative motorcycle sales as of April 30, 2026, marking a major milestone for the country’s leading motorcycle manufacturer.

BPI named only PH bank in Best Workplaces 2026 list

Bank of the Philippine Islands has been named one of the Best Workplaces™ in the Philippines for 2026 by Great Place to Work, becoming the only bank in the country to make this year’s list.

SM Hotels Sweep Multiple Honors at Global Awards

Two of SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation’s (SMHCC) flagship properties captured multiple accolades at the Haute Grandeur Global Awards 2026, cementing the group’s reputation as a leader in regional hospitality.

EJAP members sharpen skills amid content creation boom

The Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines (EJAP) and San Miguel Corp. have renewed their decades-long partnership, continuing a legacy of keeping business reporters at the forefront of industry knowledge.

Social Responsibility & Sustainability

 SBMA launched expanded relief package for stakeholders

 The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is rolling out a new set of relief measures aimed at easing economic pressures on stakeholders in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ). The announcement follows a public consultation held on May 11, 2026, at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC).

GT Capital donates prime real estate to boost Cavite education

In Philippine real estate, 15 hectares is usually enough space for condominiums, commercial strips, and the occasional traffic headache. GT Capital Holdings, Inc., however, has decided the land is better used for classrooms, libraries, and future blue eagles.

McDonald’s Opens 56th Bahay Bulilit Center Manila

McDonald’s Philippines, in partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Philippines, has expanded its community impact in Manila with the opening of the 56th Ronald McDonald Bahay Bulilit Learning Center.

DMCI Homes helps Benguet farmers bolster profits

Rising fuel costs have been squeezing Benguet farmers for years, but DMCI Homes is helping them turn the tide with a fresh approach.

Markets

PSEi faces volatility amid foreign selling pressure

The Philippine stock market is navigating a mixed outlook as the PSEi contends with renewed foreign selling, offset partially by improving domestic investor sentiment and anticipated foreign inflows into the local bond market.

PSEi range-bound amid global risks, weak peso

The Philippine stock market is expected to stay under pressure in the near term, as global uncertainties and a weak peso continue to dampen investor sentiment, according to 2TradeAsia.com.

Peso slides, stocks stall as caution builds

Philippine financial markets are in a consolidation phase, with the peso and equities under pressure as tighter monetary conditions and inflation concerns weigh on sentiment.

Women entrepreneurs drive economy but need more support to scale

Filipina entrepreneurs—many of them mothers—play a major role in the Philippine economy, owning 66 percent of existing businesses and 62 percent of newly registered enterprises. Despite this strong presence, many women-led micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) struggle to grow due to limited access to funding, low digital adoption, and the challenge of balancing business and family responsibilities.

Travel

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Energy

Luzon, Visayas grids hit by power alerts

The power grids in Luzon and Visayas were placed under yellow and red alerts on Wednesday after several power plants went offline and electricity demand surged.

Philippine electric cooperative reforms face critical review

The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC), in coordination with the National Electrification Administration (NEA), is calling for a careful reassessment of proposed reforms to the ownership structure of electric cooperatives (ECs), as legislative franchises near expiration over the next five years.

 Meralco lowers May power rates slightly

The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) announced a modest decrease of P0.0151 per kWh in electricity rates for May, bringing the typical household rate to P14.3345 per kWh, down from P14.3496 in April.

Meralco expands solar initiatives across facilities nationwide

Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability, highlighting ongoing solar rooftop installations across its facilities as part of a broader energy efficiency and environmental strategy.

Transport & Communications

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Property

RLC pushes ahead with projects despite rising construction costs

Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC) said it will continue all planned developments despite higher construction costs caused by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, signaling confidence in its long-term growth strategy and financial position.

 Ayala Land, PTCEI team up to help elevate local tennis

Ayala Land, Inc. is ramping up Vermosa in Cavite as a premier destination for active, healthy living through a new partnership with the Philippine Tennis Center for Excellence, Inc. (PTCEI), formalized last month.

SM Prime to launch massive Cebu Arena in June

Cebu is set to become a major hub for world-class entertainment as SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) prepares to open the SM Seaside Cebu Arena next month. The venue, the company’s second arena in the Philippines, is designed to host concerts, sports events, and large-scale gatherings.

DMW focuses on rentals amid property headwinds

D.M. Wenceslao and Associates Inc. posted a first-quarter net income of P550 million, down from P562 million last year, as the listed property developer leaned on recurring rental revenues to cushion the impact of a more challenging real estate market marked by elevated inflation and high interest rates.

Environment

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Technology

Leaders gather to explore blockchain, digital governance in PH

A major theme in the country’s growing digital transformation push is set to take center stage as Philippine Blockchain Week 2026 opens with a high-level forum focused on one idea: trust as critical infrastructure for the digital age.

DICT: Two US satellite firms to launch in PH this year

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said Wednesday two US-based satellite internet providers are expected to begin operations in the Philippines within the year, signaling a major push to improve internet access and lower connectivity costs nationwide.

Globe restores services after fiber cuts disrupts Metro Manila network

Globe Telecom said it has fully restored mobile and broadband services in Metro Manila and parts of Luzon after a major network disruption caused by multiple fiber optic cable cuts on May 12.

Fortinet study: APAC firms struggle with AI cyber threats

A new study commissioned by Fortinet found that many organizations across Asia Pacific are struggling to manage growing cybersecurity complexity and AI-driven threats.

Health & Science

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Opinion

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.

Fuel crisis or policy gap?

Airline executives were caught off guard when President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. warned that Philippine carriers may be forced to cut flights—or even ground planes—due to a possible jet fuel shortage tied to the escalating U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.

Sports & Entertainment

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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.