Top News

Philippines trade grows, deficit widens on imports surge

The Philippines’ external trade in goods rose 10.7 percent year on year to USD18.34 billion in February 2026, driven by solid export growth but a faster expansion in imports that widened the trade deficit.

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Context Dispatch

Exclusive

Sunlight Air chooses precision over size aloft

In an aviation industry often driven by scale and speed, Sunlight Air is taking a more measured route. The boutique carrier is building its business around efficiency, discipline, and destination depth, convinced that smarter operations can deliver both commercial returns and environmental gains.

Agriculture

Corporate

Rising oil, war fallout push PH packaging costs higher

The Philippine packaging industry is expected to face higher costs as the ongoing conflict involving Iran pushes up global oil prices and disrupts supply chains. These challenges could also lead to more expensive consumer goods.

Banking & Insurance

Prolonged Middle East conflict threatens Asia growth outlook

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) warned that a prolonged conflict in the Middle East could shave up to 1.3 percentage points off economic growth in developing Asia and the Pacific over 2026–2027, while pushing inflation higher by as much as 3.2 percentage points if energy disruptions persist for more than a year.
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Markets

East Coast Vulcan plans restructuring, fundraising moves

East Coast Vulcan Mining Corporation said its board has approved a series of corporate actions aimed at cleaning up its balance sheet and positioning the company for potential capital raising.

Travel

PTAA backs airlines, urges tax relief measures

The Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) has thrown its support behind airline partners facing mounting cost pressures from volatile fuel prices, while calling on the government to provide relief measures and improve the timeliness of advisories to minimize disruption across the travel sector.
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Energy

SP New Energy seeks rebrand, ticker change to MGENR

SP New Energy Corporation said it is moving forward with a corporate rebranding that will see it adopt the name “MGEN Renewables Inc.” and change its stock symbol to MGENR, replacing its current ticker SPNEC.

Transport & Communications

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Property

SMHCC bets big on Cebu MICE hub

SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation (SMHCC) is ramping up efforts to position the Philippines as a stronger player in the global meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) market, anchored on the upcoming launch of SMX Convention Center Seaside Cebu.

Environment

SMC cleanup of Alabang River improves flood control in Muntinlupa

San Miguel Corporation (SMC) has cleared a key section of the Alabang River, helping improve water flow and reduce flood risk in nearby communities, roads, and the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX).
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Technology

Health & Science

BOC, DTI seize P1.4B illicit vapes

Authorities have confiscated up to P1.4 billion worth of illicit vaporized nicotine products in a warehouse raid in Navotas City, marking one of the largest recent enforcement actions against the country’s underground vape trade.
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Opinion

Fuel crisis or policy gap?

Airline executives were caught off guard when President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. warned that Philippine carriers may be forced to cut flights—or even ground planes—due to a possible jet fuel shortage tied to the escalating U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.

Choked Hormuz puts global food supply at risk

Food, not fuel, may prove the first and most immediate casualty of the Middle East conflict as disruption grips the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow sea lane with an outsized role in feeding the world.

Eala storms toward WTA’s elite circle

The desert—both in Dubai and Indian Wells—has been kind to Alex Eala.

Luzviminda’s daughters: Steel, silk, sovereignty, spotlight

If you want to understand the Philippines, resist the temptation to start with its strongmen and their statues. Begin instead with its women, the quiet architects of its revolutions, the steady hands at the tiller when storms arrive.