The Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. has pushed back against allegations that Philippine exports are linked to forced labor, warning that a proposed US tariff increase could unfairly penalize compliant businesses and workers.
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has found that the Philippines' failure to prohibit and effectively block imports of goods produced with forced labor may unfairly burden US commerce, exposing Philippine exports to potential new tariffs under a Section 301 investigation.
A coalition of business and governance organizations is pressing the government to implement sweeping procurement and infrastructure reforms, arguing that recurring corruption scandals highlight deep structural weaknesses in public accountability systems.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has approved the 2026 Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP), a revamped roadmap that expands tax incentives for high-value industries ranging from artificial intelligence and cybersecurity to electric vehicle infrastructure and critical minerals processing.
The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) forecasts a favorable 2026 for the mining sector, driven by strong global demand for energy transition minerals and steady commodity prices.