Manila Times

SM Investments Urges Philippine Companies to Make Greater Use of RCEP

SM Investments Corporation called on Philippine businesses to expand their use of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership to increase intra-Asian exports and attract additional supply-chain investment.

Philippine Outsourcing Industry Maintains Positive Growth Outlook

The Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines said it remains optimistic about growth in the outsourcing sector despite weaker global economic conditions.

Senate President Gatchalian Opposes Proposed Sandiganbayan Budget Cut

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said he would oppose a proposed ₱551 million reduction in funding for the Sandiganbayan, arguing that the anti-graft court needs sufficient resources to handle corruption cases.

Severe El Niño Could Delay Philippine Infrastructure Projects, Budget Chief Warns

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman warned that worsening El Niño conditions could disrupt construction schedules and slow infrastructure spending under the Build Better More programme into early 2027.

Globe Telecom Expects ₱1.2 Billion Revenue Lift From AI and Data Centre Investments

Globe Telecom expects investments in data centres and enterprise artificial intelligence services to generate an additional ₱1.2 billion in revenue as demand for digital business services expands.

Philippine Telecom Regulator Fines Globe, Smart and DITO Over Broadband Standards

The National Telecommunications Commission imposed penalties on Globe Telecom, Smart Communications and DITO Telecommunity for failing to meet required broadband performance standards.

Philippines Plans ₱892 Billion in Domestic Borrowing for Fourth Quarter

The government plans to borrow ₱892 billion from domestic markets in the final quarter of the year to help finance the budget deficit and sustain public infrastructure spending.

Philippines Approves Public Transport Fare Increases as Fuel Costs Climb

Transport regulators approved higher fares for public utility vehicles and the EDSA busway as operators contend with rising fuel costs and transport groups continue protests over the vehicle modernisation programme.

Metro Manila Minimum Wage Rises by ₱60 a Day

A ₱60 daily minimum wage increase has taken effect for private-sector workers across Metro Manila, providing additional income as households continue to face higher costs for basic goods.

Sebastian Duterte Testifies as Hostile Witness in Vice Presidential Impeachment Trial

Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte appeared before the Senate impeachment court as a hostile witness and denied prior knowledge of Vice President Sara Duterte’s alleged interests in GenCorp Industries.

Philippines Raises ₱84.9 Billion in Initial Retail Treasury Bond Auction

The Bureau of the Treasury raised ₱84.9 billion in the initial rate-setting auction for retail treasury bonds, reflecting strong domestic demand for government debt.

Former Philippine House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco Leaves Country Amid Corruption Investigations

The Bureau of Immigration confirmed that former House speaker Lord Allan Velasco and his wife left the Philippines while corruption investigations were intensifying, with no active hold-departure order preventing their exit.

Canada-Philippines Free Trade Talks Reach 90% Completion

Canada and the Philippines have completed about 90% of negotiations on a bilateral free trade agreement, with both governments targeting a potential signing by November to deepen trade and supply-chain links.

Marcos Suspends Excise Taxes on LPG and Kerosene as Energy Costs Rise

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. directed the suspension of excise taxes on liquefied petroleum gas and kerosene as the government seeks to cushion households from rising global energy prices.

Philippines Secures Up to £5 Billion in UK Financing for Infrastructure Projects

The Philippine government finalised a financing framework giving Manila access to as much as £5 billion in UK-backed support for transport, logistics and climate-resilience projects under the Build Better More programme.

IMF Cuts Philippine Economic Growth Forecasts Through 2027

The International Monetary Fund lowered its growth projections for the Philippines, citing pressure from elevated interest rates, persistent inflation and weaker global export demand.

Philippine Coast Guard Repels Chinese Research Vessel Near Batanes

Philippine maritime authorities turned away a Chinese research vessel operating near Batanes as defence officials investigate whether it was conducting surveillance around critical subsea telecommunications infrastructure.

Philippine Senate Impeachment Court Rejects Bid to Compel Sara Duterte to Disclose Bank Records

The Senate impeachment court denied a prosecution motion seeking to compel Vice President Sara Duterte to acknowledge ownership of specific bank accounts, citing constitutional protections against self-incrimination during the trial.

European Union and Philippines Conclude Landmark Free Trade Agreement

The European Union and the Philippines have concluded negotiations on a bilateral free trade agreement aimed at expanding market access for Philippine exports and encouraging greater European investment in manufacturing and other sectors.

Tennis Player Alex Eala Wins International Fan Award

Filipina tennis star Alex Eala has won the "Star of the Hard-Court Swing" award following a global fan vote, positioning her as a top contender for gold at the upcoming Asian Games.

Department of Migrant Workers Repatriates Five Seafarers from Strait of Hormuz

Five Filipino crew members were successfully evacuated and brought to Manila after their commercial vessel encountered military hostilities and naval blockades in the Strait of Hormuz.

New Cold Storage Facility to Support Bicol Pineapple Exports

The Department of Agriculture has inaugurated a 10.8 million peso modular cold-storage warehouse in Camarines Norte to reduce crop spoilage and stabilize the distribution of pineapples across Southern Luzon.

Vehicle Sales Contract in the Philippines Following Heavy Monsoon Rains

The Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines reported a decline in sales volumes during August and September, as severe flooding and prolonged tropical depressions disrupted retail demand.

Sugar Producers Lobby Congress to Reduce Levies Amid New Sweetener Surtax

Agricultural federations are petitioning the House of Representatives for exemptions from excise taxes and are advocating for surcharges on imported artificial sweeteners to protect the income of domestic sugarcane farmers.

Magnitude 4.6 Earthquake Strikes Off the Coast of Zambales

A magnitude 4.6 earthquake was recorded by seismologists off the coast of Zambales, causing perceptible tremors in Metro Manila and Bataan, though no structural damage to critical infrastructure was reported.

DICT Restores Access to Discord Following Compliance with Safety Standards

The Department of Information and Communications Technology has lifted the national suspension on the communication platform Discord after the company committed to implementing enhanced child protection safeguards.

Camarines Sur Declares State of Calamity Due to Dengue Outbreak

The provincial government of Camarines Sur has declared a state of calamity to mobilize emergency funds and medical supplies as a surge in dengue infections overwhelms local public health facilities.

United States Condemns Chinese Maritime Aggression Near Ayungin Shoal

US defense and diplomatic officials issued a formal condemnation of dangerous maneuvers by the Chinese coast guard against Philippine resupply missions, reaffirming the commitment to the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty.

Semirara Mining Urges Rigorous Technical Vetting for New Coal Mine Bidders

Semirara Mining and Power Corporation cautioned the Department of Energy against awarding coal mining contracts based solely on financial bids, warning that bidders must possess proven engineering capabilities to ensure stable electricit...

Meralco PowerGen Begins Construction on 670-Megawatt Gas Plant in Singapore

Meralco PowerGen Corporation has broken ground on a large-scale natural gas power generation facility on Jurong Island, marking a significant expansion of the Philippine utility’s international energy portfolio.

Civil Aeronautics Board Raises Passenger Fuel Surcharges to Highest Level in Five Months

The Civil Aeronautics Board increased the national fuel surcharge matrix to Level 17, which will lead to mandatory ticket price increases for domestic and international flights as airlines face higher operating costs.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Reports 100 Billion Peso Net Income for First Four Months

The central bank of the Philippines posted net earnings exceeding 100 billion pesos during the first four months of the fiscal year, driven by strategic reserve management and foreign currency trading gains.

BMI Warns Philippine Data Center Growth Depends on Submarine Cable Expansion

Research firm BMI stated that the Philippines must accelerate approvals for trans-Pacific submarine telecommunications cables to attract the high-power hyperscale data centers necessary to compete with Singapore and Malaysia.

Globe Telecom Shifts Focus to AI-Driven Enterprise Services to Boost Revenue

Globe Telecom has unveiled a multi-year strategy centered on artificial intelligence and machine learning architecture, aiming to build a billion-dollar technology ecosystem to offset slowing growth in its traditional mobile segments.

National Telecommunications Commission Warns Carriers Over Network Congestion

The National Telecommunications Commission announced pending financial penalties and audits for major mobile providers following widespread consumer complaints regarding poor cellular data reliability and slow broadband speeds in provinc...

President Marcos Grants Absolute Pardon to Mary Jane Veloso

President Ferdinand Marcos Junior signed an executive grant of absolute pardon for former overseas Filipino worker Mary Jane Veloso, ending a sixteen-year international legal battle regarding her death sentence in Indonesia.

Election Watchdogs Petition Supreme Court to Annul Postponement of Local Elections

Legal advocates and civil society groups have filed urgent petitions with the Supreme Court seeking to overturn legislation postponing the December Barangay and Sukiang Kabataan elections, arguing that repeated delays disenfranchise voters.

Bureau of Internal Revenue Suspends Excise Taxes on LPG and Kerosene to Ease Living Costs

The Bureau of Internal Revenue has paused the collection of statutory excise taxes on liquefied petroleum gas and kerosene as part of a government effort to shield households and transport operators from volatile global fuel markets.

Nationwide Transport Strike Disrupts Metro Manila Commutes Over Jeepney Fare Hikes

Major public utility vehicle alliances launched a two-day strike protesting government-approved fare increases, forcing schools and local government units across Metro Manila to suspend in-person classes in favor of remote learning.

United Overseas Bank Warns Philippine Peso Could Weaken to 66 per US Dollar

Financial analysts at United Overseas Bank projected that the peso may depreximated toward 66 per dollar, driven by resilient American economic data and rising global energy costs that are strengthening the US greenback.

Philippine Stock Exchange Index Drops Below 5,800 Amid Rising Global Oil Prices

The benchmark PSEi fell below the 5,800 threshold as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East pushed international crude prices higher, prompting foreign capital outflows and concerns over imported inflation in the Philippines.

Senate Impeachment Court Rejects Petition to Admit Vice President Sara Duterte’s Bank Records

Presiding officers of the Senate impeachment court dismissed a request by House prosecutors to admit the bank records of Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband, Mans Carpio, citing procedural grounds and questions regarding the lawf...