Manila Times

China’s Kimi Launches AI-Focused Credit Card With Agricultural Bank of China and American Express

The July launch links credit-card spending and rewards to Kimi memberships and AI computing benefits, although some claims about conversational banking functions go beyond what the companies’ official materials currently confirm.

HMPI Expands Corporate Property Services as Multinational Investment in Metro Manila Grows

Property services company HMPI is expanding facility management, accommodation and operational support for multinational companies establishing or enlarging their presence in Metro Manila.

Government Provides Emergency Livelihood Aid to Vendors Displaced by Batac Market Fire

The Department of Social Welfare and Development has released emergency financial assistance to market vendors in Batac, Ilocos Norte, after a major commercial fire disrupted local businesses and trade.

Philippine Customs Seizes More Than 8 Million Pesos of Suspected Ketamine at Clark Airport

Customs officials at Clark International Airport have intercepted a shipment of suspected ketamine worth more than eight million pesos that was concealed inside a resin figurine arriving from France.

Philippine Government Expands Agricultural Skills Program in Ilocos Norte

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has overseen new agricultural skills and healthcare initiatives in northern provinces as his administration seeks to strengthen food supply chains and rural human capital amid climate and economic pressures.

AirAsia Philippines Cuts Domestic Fares to Support Tourism Recovery

AirAsia Philippines has launched discounted base fares to destinations including Boracay and Cebu as the airline seeks to sustain domestic travel ahead of national holidays despite elevated aviation fuel costs.

Philippine Financial Leaders Address Banking Resilience Amid Global Economic Uncertainty

Banking executives, economists and policymakers meeting in Makati are examining ways to manage persistent global inflation pressures while maintaining credit flows needed for domestic corporate expansion.

Davao Launches Campaign to Attract East Asian and European Investment

The Davao-Borneo Economic Growth Forum is being used to promote Davao City to investors from East Asia and Europe as the city seeks to strengthen its role as a commercial gateway to the East ASEAN Growth Area.

Cebu Commercial Property Market Sees Rising Demand for Zero-Carbon Offices

International companies and business-process outsourcing firms are increasingly seeking sustainable commercial buildings in Cebu, with demand focused on zero-carbon facilities that offer energy efficiency and greater resilience to severe...

Philippine Service Contractors Call for Workforce Reskilling as Artificial Intelligence Adoption Accelerates

Industry representatives say expanded training and human decision-making will remain essential as artificial intelligence reshapes the country's large services sector and employers seek to preserve international competitiveness.

Philippine Business Leaders Focus on Energy Security and Artificial Intelligence to Strengthen ASEAN Competitiveness

Business and government leaders meeting in Metro Manila are seeking stronger partnerships on reliable electricity, secure trade corridors and responsible artificial intelligence adoption as the Philippines faces continuing global economi...

Philippine Aviation Capacity Falls as Airlines Cut Routes Amid High Operating Costs

Airlines have reduced more than 286,000 departing seats year on year in the Philippine market as carriers streamline schedules and consolidate routes in response to volatile fuel prices and changing regional travel demand.

Philippines Opens Advanced Fire Testing Laboratory in Laguna to Strengthen Construction Safety

The Department of Science and Technology has inaugurated a specialised fire-testing facility in Los Baños capable of assessing the flammability and structural integrity of construction materials as the country's property and infrastructu...

United States Seeks Extradition of Apollo Quiboloy to Face Federal Criminal Charges

Washington has formally requested the extradition of religious leader Apollo Quiboloy to the United States, where he faces federal criminal charges, increasing pressure on Philippine authorities over his case.

Philippines Cancels Foreign Work Permits at Pampanga Steel Plant Over Safety and Labor Violations

The Department of Labor and Employment has revoked work permits for foreign nationals at a Pampanga steel facility after regulators identified serious workplace safety hazards and violations of Philippine labor requirements.

Philippine Retailers Restructure as Weaker Consumer Spending Drives International Store Closures

Major Philippine retail groups are adjusting inventories and exploring new business categories as weaker foot traffic, persistent inflation and higher operating costs contribute to the departure of international discount retailers includ...

Philippines Pushes Practical Artificial Intelligence Adoption as Technology Sector Focuses on Business Use

Technology executives, investors and policymakers at the Echelon Philippines summit are shifting attention from speculative artificial intelligence enthusiasm toward practical deployment, regulatory compliance and the rising cost of digi...

Philippine Senate Impeachment Trial of Vice President Sara Duterte Examines Confidential Fund Disbursements

State auditors have testified during the fifteenth day of Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial that the rapid nationwide distribution of millions of pesos in confidential funds by the Department of Education raised questions a...

Philippines Tightens Security in 108 Areas Ahead of Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections

The Commission on Elections and national police are increasing security deployments across 108 areas of concern in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao ahead of the September 14 parliamentary elections.

Philippine Power Grids Issue Red and Yellow Alerts After Multiple Plant Failures

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines has issued severe power alerts across the Visayas and Mindanao grids following the sudden loss of several major generating facilities, raising concerns about electricity reliability and in...

Philippine Army Names Lieutenant General Donald Gumiran as New Chief Amid Regional Security Pressures

Lieutenant General Donald Gumiran has taken command of the Philippine Army and pledged to accelerate modernization and readiness as the armed forces strengthen their focus on external territorial defence.

Philippine Inflation Eases to 6.2 Percent in July but Remains Above Central Bank Target

Consumer price inflation slowed to 6.2 percent in July from 6.4 percent in June as transport and education costs moderated, but food pressures and elevated core inflation kept inflation well above the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas target r...

Philippine Military Rejects Need for Foreign Approval of Ayungin Shoal Resupply Missions

The Armed Forces of the Philippines says Manila does not require permission from any foreign government to resupply its commissioned naval vessel at Ayungin Shoal, rejecting Beijing's demands for prior notification and inspection.

Philippine Senate Probe Targets Confidential Ayungin Shoal Agreement With China

Senator Risa Hontiveros is seeking full disclosure of a provisional Manila-Beijing arrangement covering Philippine resupply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre after further confrontations involving Chinese Coast Guard personnel.

Philippines Faces Severe Monsoon Flooding as Damage Exceeds 1 Billion Pesos Across Luzon

Heavy southwest monsoon rains have triggered widespread flooding, landslides and evacuations across Metro Manila, Calabarzon and other parts of Luzon, with at least eight deaths, major agricultural disruption and estimated public infrast...

Marcos Administration Proposes Record 7.2 Trillion-Peso Philippine Budget for 2027

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has submitted a 7.2 trillion-peso national budget for 2027, a six percent increase intended to support infrastructure, economic development and national defence as growth has recently slowed.

Jollibee Accelerates Canadian Expansion as Philippine Chain Targets North American Growth

Jollibee Foods Corporation is expanding its presence across Canada, drawing on strong demand from the Filipino diaspora and growing brand recognition as the Philippine fast-food group pursues further North American growth.

Mitsubishi Motors Considers Hybrid Vehicle Exports From Laguna Plant

Mitsubishi Motors is evaluating whether to export hybrid vehicles from its upgraded Laguna manufacturing facility, a move that could expand the Philippines’ automotive export activity and support the regional shift toward electrified veh...

DHI Holdings Commits 3.25 Billion Pesos to Atlas Consolidated Mining

DHI Holdings has committed 3.25 billion pesos to Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corporation as the company shifts toward critical mineral extraction amid stronger global demand for copper and other industrial resources.

Ayala Land Transfers 20 Billion Pesos of Mall and Hotel Assets Into REIT

Ayala Land is transferring 20 billion pesos of commercial mall and hotel assets into its real estate investment trust, expanding the REIT’s portfolio of properties that generate income for institutional and retail investors.

Guotai Junan International Gets 28.6 Billion Hong Kong Dollar Privatization Offer From Parent

Guotai Junan International has received a 28.6 billion Hong Kong dollar privatization offer from its mainland parent company, prompting gains in Hong Kong-listed brokerage shares and pointing to further consolidation in China’s securitie...

Ramon Ang Acquires 25.68 Percent Stake in Lopez Incorporated Amid Corporate Reorganisation

Industrialist Ramon Ang has acquired a 25.68 percent stake in Lopez Incorporated from media executive Gabby Lopez, marking a major change in ownership involving one of the Philippines’ longstanding business families.

Philippine Consumer Companies Brace for Margin Pressure From Proposed Excise Tax Increases

Listed companies exposed to alcohol, tobacco and sweetened beverages are preparing for lower margins and weaker volumes as manufacturers assess the impact of proposed excise tax increases under the Marcos administration.

Philippines Urged to Upskill Virtual Assistant Workforce as AI Adoption Accelerates

Industry leaders are calling for national upskilling programmes as more than 20,000 Filipinos apply for virtual assistant jobs each month and rising artificial intelligence adoption raises concerns about automation risks for the country’...

Philippine Semiconductor Industry Backs Pax Silica Initiative Amid Concerns Over Chinese Nickel Dominance

Philippine semiconductor companies and industrial planners are supporting the Pax Silica initiative as a way to develop the domestic semiconductor value chain while addressing concerns over China’s growing role in the country’s unrefined...

Philippines Explores Space and Satellite Investments to Strengthen Communications and Maritime Surveillance

The Marcos administration is examining investments in space technology and satellite infrastructure, including low-Earth-orbit constellations, to address telecommunications gaps and strengthen maritime surveillance capabilities.

Philippine Security Agencies Raise Concerns Over China-Backed Educational Exchange Programmes

Philippine defence and security authorities are increasing scrutiny of China-backed educational exchange programmes, citing national security concerns and potential intelligence-gathering activities within the country’s academic sector.

Philippine Police Dismiss 1,337 Officers in Major Internal Anti-Corruption Purge

The Philippine National Police has dismissed 1,337 active-duty officers in a sweeping internal disciplinary operation targeting corruption, criminal activity and misconduct within the security force.

Bangko Sentral Eases Pressure for Further Rate Hikes After Philippine Growth Slows

The sharp second-quarter economic slowdown has reduced pressure on the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to pursue further monetary tightening, with financial markets expecting greater emphasis on supporting growth in upcoming policy decisions.

Philippine Watchdogs Demand Full Ombudsman Audit of Stalled Flood-Control Projects

Anti-corruption groups and policy analysts are pressing the Office of the Ombudsman to take full responsibility for auditing heavily funded flood-control projects that remain delayed as torrential monsoon rains continue to disrupt commun...

Philippine Agencies Push Revival of 90 Billion-Peso Parañaque Spillway After Severe Flooding

The Department of Agriculture and Laguna Lake Development Authority are calling for the stalled Parañaque Spillway project to be revived after severe flooding across Metro Manila, citing the need to protect agricultural supply chains and...

Philippines Wins $600 Million US Healthcare Grant to Upgrade Hospitals and Pandemic Preparedness

The Philippine government has secured a $600 million US grant to expand access to healthcare, improve regional hospital infrastructure and strengthen the country’s capacity to respond to future public health crises.

Philippine Government Faces Pressure to Prioritise Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Energy in 7.2 Trillion-Peso Budget

Business leaders and economic planners are urging lawmakers to direct the Marcos administration’s proposed 7.2 trillion-peso budget toward manufacturing supply chains, energy infrastructure and the Build Better More programme as economic...

Philippine Senate Resumes Sara Duterte Impeachment Trial With Secret-Funds Testimony

The Senate impeachment court continued its 14th day of proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte, hearing testimony from Commission on Audit officials about confidential funds as House prosecutors rejected Duterte’s claims that the...