Context.ph

The Philippines has become the first Southeast Asian economy to be featured in the World Intellectual Property Organization's (WIPO) Intangible Investment Highlights 2026, underscoring the country's growing shift toward an innovation-driven economy built on technology, software, brands, data, and intellectual property.

Government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) have remitted P140 billion in dividends to the National Government so far this year, with 15 state-run firms each contributing at least P1 billion, highlighting their growing role as a major source of non-tax revenues that help fund public services and infrastructure.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos as Cabinet Secretary, returning a key political ally to his administration after the one-year ban on appointing defeated election candidates expired. Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said Abalos will advise the President on emerging national and political issues, coordinate with government agencies and stakeholders, and head the Strategic Action and Response Office, which oversees Malacañang's complaints centers. Abalos resigned in 2024 to run for senator but placed 16th in the 2025 elections. He previously served as Marcos' campaign manager and Interior secretary. (Marjohara Tucay)

Canadian enterprise software firm OpenText is expanding its Philippine footprint with a proposed USD8 million to USD10 million cloud transformation project for BDO Unibank over the next five years, signaling growing investor confidence in the country's digital economy and accelerating shift toward higher-value technology investments.

The Philippines' transition to upper middle-income country (UMIC) status is sharpening calls for a financially stronger PhilHealth, with leading business groups urging the government to secure the long-term sustainability of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to safeguard universal healthcare and support economic growth.