Manila Times

Cebu Port Opens Safety Probe After Delivery Truck Falls Into Sea

Port authorities have launched an investigation after a commercial truck plunged into the water while boarding a roll-on roll-off vessel in Lapu-Lapu City, raising concerns about inter-island cargo handling safety.

Twenty-Two Filipino Seafarers Repatriated After Missile Strike on Black Sea Cargo Ship

The Philippine government has brought 22 Filipino seafarers home after they survived a missile strike on their commercial vessel in the Black Sea, renewing calls for stronger protections for crews operating near conflict zones.

ICTSI Expands Mexico’s Manzanillo Port to Handle Larger Container Ships

Philippine port operator International Container Terminal Services is expanding its Manzanillo facility in Mexico with larger ship-to-shore cranes designed to accommodate ultra-large container vessels.

Philippines Reports Improved Government Spending Ahead of Third-Quarter Growth Data

The Department of Budget and Management says government agencies improved their use of allocated funds during the middle of the year, providing fiscal support as severe weather threatens third-quarter economic growth.

Philippine Geothermal Developers Seek Bank Financing for Renewable Energy Expansion

Twelve geothermal companies are seeking additional financing from Philippine banks, warning that insufficient capital could delay renewable-energy projects and leave the country more exposed to imported fuel costs.

Japanese Utilities Inspect Wawa Pumped-Storage Project for Potential Investment

Executives from major Japanese power companies have inspected the Wawa pumped-storage hydropower facility in Rizal as they assess possible investment in Philippine renewable generation and grid infrastructure.

Metro Pacific Tollways Reports Strong Growth Ahead of Planned San Miguel Merger

Metro Pacific Tollways has reported higher traffic and revenue across its Philippine network as it moves toward a major infrastructure combination with San Miguel Corporation’s transport business.

Philippine Retailers Push to End Tax-Free Threshold for Low-Value E-Commerce Imports

Retail industry groups are urging the government to abolish the de minimis exemption for low-value overseas parcels, arguing that tax-free imports give foreign online merchants an unfair advantage over domestic businesses.

Philippine Stock Exchange Eases Listing Rules for Small and Emerging Companies

The Philippine Stock Exchange has relaxed sponsorship requirements for its Small, Medium and Emerging Board in an effort to lower barriers to public listings and revive domestic fundraising activity.

Philippine Lawmakers Question Public Works Budget Increase After Chronic Underspending

A congressional policy unit has challenged the Department of Public Works and Highways’ proposed 2027 budget increase, citing persistent failure to spend previously allocated funds and delays to major infrastructure projects.

Maynilad and South Korea’s K-Water Advance Talks on ₱15 Billion Clark Water Contract

Maynilad Water Services and Korea Water Resources Corporation are moving closer to securing a ₱15 billion water-supply concession in the Clark Freeport Zone as industrial development increases demand for utility infrastructure.

Philippine AI and Data Centre Sector Draws New Investment as Regional Funding Expands

International infrastructure investors and cloud operators are expanding in the Philippines as more than $11 billion in recent Southeast Asian equity funding supports growing demand for artificial-intelligence computing and enterprise di...

Philippines Halts Taguig Reclamation Projects and Removes Public Works Official

The Department of Public Works and Highways has stopped several alleged illegal reclamation projects in Taguig City and dismissed a senior official amid scrutiny of flood-control failures during continuing urban inundation.

Northern Luzon Orders Evacuations as Rivers Overflow and Flood Transport Routes

Authorities in Abra, Ilocos Norte and Laoag City have ordered residents from low-lying areas to evacuate after heavy monsoon rain pushed the Tineg-Malanas river system beyond critical levels and cut agricultural transport links.

Philippine Portfolio Investment Inflows Drop 91% as Peso Weakens

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas reported a 91% fall in net foreign portfolio investment inflows in July as analysts identified the peso as the weakest-performing regional currency amid capital shifts toward higher-yielding markets.

Philippines Uses 2026 ASEAN Chairmanship to Push South China Sea Code and Digital Economy Deal

The Philippines is pressing ASEAN members to complete the long-delayed South China Sea Code of Conduct while advancing a regional digital economy agreement during its 2026 chairmanship.

Philippines and Moro Islamic Liberation Front Sign Security Pact for 2026 Bangsamoro Elections

The Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front have agreed on security measures intended to ensure peaceful and credible parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Metro Manila Hospitals Reach 300% Emergency Capacity as Leptospirosis Cases Surge

Government hospitals across Metro Manila are reporting emergency-room occupancy of about 300% as prolonged flooding drives a sharp increase in leptospirosis and influenza-like illnesses.

Philippines Suspends Classes and Government Work Across 15 Provinces as Monsoon Flooding Worsens

The Philippine government has suspended in-person classes and government operations across 15 provinces for September 1 as enhanced monsoon rains and offshore tropical depressions trigger severe flooding and landslide risks across Luzon.

Filipiñana Draws Regional Attention for Its Portrayal of Philippine Class Divisions

The independent film Filipiñana is gaining regional recognition for using a golf-course setting to examine socioeconomic inequality, adding to the international profile of Philippine independent cinema.

Metro Manila Hotels and Airlines Prepare for September Concert Tourism Surge

Hotels, retailers and airlines in the Philippine capital are anticipating increased consumer spending as Manila hosts a concentrated schedule of major international concerts in September.

Philippine Poultry Industry Establishes First National Cage-Free Egg Association

Agribusiness companies have formed a national cage-free egg association to align the sector more closely with international animal welfare standards and meet demand from premium food brands and corporate buyers.

JuanHand Expands Digital Lending as Demand for Mobile Credit Grows

Philippine microlending platform JuanHand has introduced additional top-up loan products as more unbanked and underbanked consumers turn to mobile financial services for short-term liquidity.

Viber Launches Electronic SIM Service in the Philippines

Viber has introduced an electronic SIM offering for the Philippine market, targeting inbound travelers and digital nomads while adding competition in mobile connectivity services.

Philippines Searches for Missing Citizen After Nepal Flood Disaster

The Department of Foreign Affairs has activated consular emergency channels after severe Himalayan flooding left thousands missing, including a Filipino medical professional.

Philippine Justice Department Opens Investigation Into Senate Complex Shooting

The Department of Justice has launched a preliminary criminal investigation into a shooting at the Senate complex that allegedly enabled a suspect to escape, raising questions over security and law enforcement coordination.

Philippines Resumes Metro Manila Economic Zone Accreditations to Support Technology Real Estate

The government’s decision to restart approvals for new economic zones in Metro Manila is expected to support commercial property demand, particularly from the expanding business process outsourcing sector.

Philippine Maritime Cargo Volumes Rise as Port Modernization Supports Trade

Domestic and international cargo handling increased during the first half of the year, with logistics operators reporting continued gains as port upgrades improve supply-chain efficiency.

Philippine Hospitals Activate Emergency Lanes as Leptospirosis Cases Exceed 5,000

Health authorities placed hospitals in and around Metro Manila on heightened alert after nationwide leptospirosis cases passed 5,000, with persistent flooding contributing to a surge in waterborne disease.

Philippine Bank Deposits Reach Record 22 Trillion Pesos

Deposits across the Philippine banking system have risen to a record 22 trillion pesos, supported by overseas worker remittances and high interest rates that continue to encourage domestic saving.

Philippines Advances First Coal-Blending Terminal to Support Power Reliability

Energy authorities are moving ahead with plans for a coal-blending facility intended to stabilize baseload electricity generation and reduce power costs, even as the project complicates the country’s longer-term renewable energy transition.

Japan Credit Rating Agency Affirms Philippines at A-Minus With Stable Outlook

Japan Credit Rating Agency maintained the Philippines’ A-minus sovereign rating, citing solid macroeconomic fundamentals and manageable external debt despite inflation pressure and infrastructure delays.

Philippine Military Accuses China of Exploiting Domestic Political Disputes for Disinformation

The Armed Forces of the Philippines says Chinese state-linked actors are using the vice presidential impeachment proceedings and flood-control controversies to spread disinformation while maritime tensions continue in the West Philippine...

Sara Duterte Impeachment Trial Advances as Prosecutors Refine Witness Strategy

The House prosecution panel is streamlining its evidence and witness presentation in the impeachment case involving alleged misuse of confidential funds by Vice President Sara Duterte, keeping political uncertainty elevated in Manila.

Economists Urge Faster Philippine Infrastructure Spending After Quarterly Growth Slows to 2.3 Percent

Private economists are calling for the government to restart delayed Build Better More projects after the economy recorded its weakest post-pandemic quarterly growth, warning that further delays could hurt construction and employment.

Philippine Electronics Exports Gain From Global Artificial Intelligence Investment Boom

Semiconductors, which account for more than half of Philippine goods exports, are seeing stronger demand as global investment in Artificial Intelligence infrastructure lifts orders for electronic components.

Philippine Agriculture Officials Warn Severe Weather Is Threatening Food Supply

The Department of Agriculture says prolonged El Niño conditions and repeated monsoon storms are damaging crop yields, increasing food security risks and raising the likelihood of additional import measures.

Philippine Senate Freezes New Flood Control Projects Pending Completion of Backlogged Work

The Senate finance committee has halted approvals for new flood mitigation spending by the Department of Public Works and Highways, demanding faster completion of delayed projects as urban flooding worsens.

Marcos Orders National Disaster Response as Monsoon Flooding Hits Metro Manila and Central Luzon

The Philippine government activated emergency measures and suspended classes across the capital region after severe southwest monsoon rains displaced thousands of families and disrupted major transport routes including the North Luzon Ex...

Philippine Central Bank Sees August Inflation Between Five and 6.5 Percent

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas expects inflation to remain well above target in August as bad weather, agricultural disruptions and higher global fuel costs keep pressure on consumer prices and monetary policy.

ASEAN Macroeconomic Research Office Cuts Philippine 2026 Growth Forecast to 3.4 Percent

Regional economists lowered their Philippine growth projection to 3.4 percent for 2026, citing persistent inflation, delayed infrastructure spending and volatile global energy prices as major pressures on the economy.

Philippine Peso Hits Record Low as Stock Market Falls Below 6,000

The Philippine peso weakened to a record 62 against the United States dollar while the Philippine Stock Exchange index dropped below 6,000, reflecting weaker investor sentiment amid high interest rates and broader economic concerns.