Economy

In a country that treats coffee as both ritual and right, Philippine upstart PickUp Coffee is making a surprisingly smooth entrance. Its secret is not a rare bean or barista theatrics. It is speed, price discipline, and an instinct for where the line will form next.

Approved investments by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) fell 23 percent in the first quarter to P45.53 billion, down from P58.95 billion a year earlier, as global uncertainties tempered capital commitments.

The US Chamber of Commerce has kept the Philippines at 36th place out of 55 economies in its 2026 International IP Index, unchanged from the previous year, despite noting incremental gains in the country’s intellectual property (IP) environment.

Finance leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have raised alarms over escalating tensions in the Middle East, warning that prolonged instability could deepen geopolitical risks and weigh further on a fragile global economy.

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.