San Miguel Corp. mourns the passing of Director Jose C. De Venecia, Jr. on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. A distinguished Filipino politician and journalist, de Venecia served as Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1992 to 1998 and 2001 to 2008, the first Filipino to hold the speakership five times. He represented the 4th district of Pangasinan for six terms and ran for president in 1998, finishing second. A stalwart of Lakas–CMD, he championed legislative reform and public service throughout his career. De Venecia joined San Miguel’s board in 2017, contributing decades of leadership and vision.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has elevated the proposed abolition of the travel tax to the top of the government’s legislative priorities, signaling a strong push to lower travel costs, stimulate tourism, and support broader economic activity.
Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) has secured a P3.6 billion loan from the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) to help fund its ongoing projects and refinance existing debt.
Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative Inc. (Zamcelco) has intensified its anti-pilferage campaign after securing convictions against individuals involved in illegal electricity use, underscoring the company’s push to protect revenue and improve service reliability.
The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) has temporarily suspended the mining exploration permit of Woggle Corp. for a proposed gold and copper project in Dupax Del Norte, Nueva Vizcaya, amid strong public opposition in the area.
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has approved a lower annual revenue requirement for the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), cutting 15.28 percent from what the company originally sought.