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Ayala Corp., a diversified investment holding company, reported a record net income of P42.0 billion for 2024, up 10 percent year-on-year increase. Excluding one-off items, its core net income hit P45.0 billion, marking a significant milestone for the company. 

The country's balance of payments (BOP) posted a surplus of USD609 million in 2024, a decline from the USD3.7 billion surplus in 2023, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). This, the BSP said, was driven by a widened current account deficit, which grew by 41.4 percent to USD17.5 billion for the year. The deficit stemmed from a larger trade deficit and reduced receipts in services, partially offset by increased income transfers.

The Supreme Court on Thursday consolidated the petitions of filed by three children of former President Rodrigo Duterte seeking the return of their father to the Philippines from The Hague, where is held in custody by the International Criminal Court Court pending trial on crimes against humanity related to his bloody war on drugs. The high tribunal gave Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and three other officials a “non-extendible period of 24 hours from receipt of notice why the peremptory writ of habeas corpus should not issue.” A write of habeas corpus—Latin for “that you have the body”—is a court order that requires an imprisoned person to be brought before the tribunal to determine if his detention is lawful.

The government’s privatization program has received a significant boost with the issuance of new guidelines by the Privatization Council (PrC), expediting the disposition of non-performing public assets. Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto said the guidelines will not only generate additional non-tax revenue but also offer investment opportunities for ordinary Filipinos.

Filinvest Land Inc. (FLI), the Gotianun-led property developer, reported an 11 percent rise in net income for 2024, reaching P4.16 billion, up from P3.76 billion the previous year. The increase in income came despite a modest rise in residential sales and office rentals.