Economy
Marcos urges ASEAN to turn commitments into action
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has called on ASEAN governments to move beyond pledges on women’s leadership and embed gender equality in policies, investments and reforms shaping the region’s development through 2045.
BOC seeks lookout order vs 13 over onion, carrot smuggling
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has asked immigration authorities to monitor the international travel of 13 individuals, including nine of its own officials and employees, as authorities pursue criminal complaints over the alleged smuggling of onions and carrots disguised as chicken products.
PH-Malaysia tobacco link exposes ASEAN enforcement gaps
The growing illicit tobacco corridor between the Philippines and Malaysia is highlighting enforcement gaps across Southeast Asia, as criminal networks increasingly exploit differences between national tax, customs, and regulatory systems.
Philippines puts World Bank fiscal reforms to test
The Philippine government is moving to translate the World Bank’s Public Finance Review into concrete fiscal reforms, with economic officials stressing that better tax collection and spending will matter only if recommendations result in measurable improvements for citizens.
Government to fund NCR wage hike for small firms
The government will subsidize the P60 daily wage increase for eligible small businesses in Metro Manila for three months, as authorities seek to help employers manage higher labor costs while protecting jobs and business operations.
