Economy
Marikina lawmaker warns scrapping fuel VAT may hurt Philippines’ credit rating
A senior lawmaker has warned that removing the value-added tax (VAT) on fuel could do more harm than good to the Philippine economy, even as public pressure grows to ease rising fuel prices.
FDI inflows fall in January as investor sentiment weakens
Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows into the Philippines dropped to US$443 million in January 2026, marking a decline compared with the level recorded in January 2025. The decrease highlights growing caution among foreign investors, with rising geopolitical risks seen as a key factor dampening confidence.
ADB downgrades Philippine growth outlook amid global risks
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has trimmed its growth forecast for the Philippines, underscoring mounting global uncertainty driven largely by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
BOI mulls coal incentives amid Semirara uncertainty
The Board of Investments (BOI) is considering whether coal mining and production should be added to the list of activities eligible for fiscal perks under the upcoming Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP), a move that could benefit Semirara Mining and Power Corp. (SMPC), the country’s largest coal producer.
Customs collections top Q1 target, hit P239B
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) raised P239.05 billion in revenues in the first quarter, beating its internal goal by 1.3 percent and higher by 3.3 percent from a year earlier, according to preliminary data.
