East West Banking Corp. (EastWest) strengthened its presence in the local capital markets this year after helping execute three major transactions: the IPO of Maynilad Water Services in November, SM Prime Holdings’ ₱17-billion retail bond offering, and Ayala Land Inc.’s ₱15-billion Sustainability-Linked Bonds completed in October.
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) says financial health will be a major focus when the Philippines chairs ASEAN in 2026. BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. announced the plan during a fireside chat at the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) in Basel, Switzerland, on 11 November 2025.
A recent Metrobank survey reveals that Filipinos’ reasons for saving change as they move through different life stages. Younger adults save mainly for financial security and personal needs, working adults focus on buying a home or funding travel, and middle-aged Filipinos prioritize retirement and their children’s education.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. opened December with a clear reminder to Department of Agriculture (DA) personnel: stay grounded, stay principled, and keep public service at the center of the agency’s work, even as the holiday season brings distractions and pressures.
The Philippines and Canada have reaffirmed their strong agricultural partnership following a high-level meeting between Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. and Canada’s Secretary of State for International Development Randeep Sarai on November 13 in Makati City.
MPCALA Holdings Inc. is advancing the final stretch of the 45-kilometer Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX), bringing closer a continuous transport corridor expected to ease road congestion and improve logistics links across two of Southern Luzon’s key industrial provinces.
The European Union and the Philippines convened their second Security and Defence Dialogue in Manila on today. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to upholding the rules-based international order and deepened discussions on regional security, with strong focus on maritime security, freedom of navigation and respect for the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The dialogue follows the EU’s announcement of its first European Peace Facility assistance in Asia, a €15 million support package for the Philippines, underscoring the bloc’s commitment to regional stability. The meeting was co-chaired by Benedikta von Seherr-Thoss of the European External Action Service and Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Leo Herrera-Lim. For Filipinos, this partnership means stronger support for maritime rights, improved regional peace and security, and tangible resources to help keep communities safe.
Citibank Philippines CEO Paul Favila has challenged the government to move beyond piecemeal digitalization, warning that the national ID’s limited acceptance online and persistent paper-based procedures are undermining the country’s digital transformation.
Simply adopting cloud, AI and digital tools is no longer enough. True business growth comes from making these technologies work together seamlessly, leaders agreed at Globe Business’s G Summit 2026. Gathering executives nationwide from retail, finance, healthcare and energy, the forum highlighted that disconnected systems slow expansion and weaken customer experience, while well-orchestrated digital foundations drive lasting value.