Top News
External debt edges down, remains manageable and resilient
The country’s outstanding external debt eased slightly to US$147.35 billion as of end-March 2026, from US$147.65 billion in the previous quarter, keeping the overall debt burden well within manageable levels.
Steel group urges rebar rules after disaster
The Philippine iron and steel industry is pressing regulators to fast-track the implementation of tougher construction standards, arguing that recent tragedies have underscored the urgent need for earthquake-resistant building materials in one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries.
BIR files case vs. Alice Guo over ₱1B tax deficiency; five criminal tax cases total ₱1.46B
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has filed a criminal case with the Department of Justice against Alice Leal Guo for alleged tax evasion and failure to file Annual Income Tax Returns for taxable years 2019 to 2023, involving an estimated income tax deficiency of more than P1.008 billion, inclusive of surcharges and interest.
Electricity spot market rates jump 38% in May
Electricity prices across the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) rose by 38.5 percent in May, according to data released Wednesday by the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP).
Government freezes prices, boosts earthquake recovery aid
In the wake of the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that hit parts of Mindanao, the government has imposed a 60-day price freeze and activated emergency livelihood support in affected areas, aiming to stabilize access to essentials while speeding up community and business recovery.
