The government expects to finish 29 flagship infrastructure projects worth P238.48 billion before President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s term ends in 2022. It has added 13 more projects for a total of 119 projects worth P4.73 trillion, presidential adviser for flagship infrastructure projects Vivencio B. Dizon told a televised news briefing on Friday. The National Economic […]
Category: Hot News
BoP 2021 estimate raised on better economic landscape
The Philippine central bank raised its balance of payment (BoP) projection for this year on expectations of an improved economic landscape here and overseas. It now expects the payment position to post a $7.1 billion surplus by year-end, which is lower than the $16-billion surplus last year but higher than the $6.2-billion surplus projection made […]
BSP fully awards 28-day bills
The Philippine central bank raised P100 billion from its auction of short-term securities on Friday even as rates rose on hints by the US central bank of a looming interest rate increase in 2023. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) fully awarded the 28-day bills from total bids worth P140.525 billion. The auction was 1.4 […]
Q1 external debt declines
The country’s outstanding foreign debt fell by 1.5% or $1.4 billion to $97 billion at the end of March from end-December, after the National Government redeemed maturing bonds and local banks settled their obligations, according to the Philippine central bank. Year-on-year, the country’s debt stock rose by $15.6 billion after borrowings worth $13.5 billion by […]
COVID-19 cases hit 1.35M
The Department of Health (DoH) reported 6,833 coronavirus infections on Friday, bringing the total to 1.35 million. The death toll rose by 110 to 23,385, while recoveries improved by 3,441 to 1.26 million, it said in a bulletin. There were 61,776 active cases, 1.2% of which were critical, 92.2% were mild, 3.7% did not show […]
SC seeks to unclog dockets
The Supreme Court (SC) on Friday released an order amending its rules to unclog case dockets and speed up the judicial system. Under the order dated May 4, the fully court will now act only on administrative cases penalized with more than two years of suspension or a fine of more than P100,000. It used […]
Prisoners allowed to attend wake
The Justice department has approved the request of the imprisoned wife and son of a farmer who had been a political prisoner for 16 years and who died of cardiac arrest on Sunday to attend his wake on Friday. In a statement, Fides Lim, spokesperson of Kapatid, a support group for families and friends of […]
PAL share trading halted on audit disclaimer
The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) suspended the trading of PAL Holdings, Inc. shares beginning Friday after the exchange noted a disclaimer of opinion of the company’s independent auditor on the listed company’s annual report. “We do not express an opinion on the accompanying consolidated financial statements,” SyCip, Gorres, Velayo & Co. said in the company’s […]
AC Energy divests in three biomass projects
NEGROS ISLAND Biomass Holdings Inc. has forged binding agreements to divest its shareholdings in three biomass-fired power plants in the Visayas, its part owner Ayala-led AC Energy Corp. said on Friday. In a stock exchange disclosure, AC Energy said Negros Island Biomass will sell its equity stake to Singapore-based ThomasLloyd CTI Asia Holdings Pte. Ltd., […]
San Miguel airport project’s launch seen in 45-60 days
Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade said Friday San Miguel Corp. has been quietly working on the P735-billion New Manila International Airport project in Bulacan. “Kailan magagawa ang groundbreaking, gustong gusto ko rin itulak ‘yan pero mahalaga na alam natin na may ginagawa ang San Miguel at si Ramon Ang,” Mr. Tugade said at a televised […]
Harry Potter, Friends may fall victim to Hungary’s anti-LGBT law — broadcaster
BUDAPEST — The largest broadcasters in Hungary criticized a new law banning the “display and promotion of homosexuality” among under-18s as a threat to freedom of expression, and one said it could impact showings of some Harry Potter films and classic TV shows. Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s nationalist government pushed the law through parliament on […]
Alliance Global: diverse portfolio helps in pandemic
ALLIANCE Global Group, Inc. (AGI) said global operations helped its diversified businesses cushion the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. “Our multiple sources of income have allowed our group to balance our portfolio. Together with our innovative offerings and digitalization strategy, AGI managed to mitigate the impact of the pandemic,” Andrew L. Tan, […]
After postponements, Bb. Pilipinas 2021 pageant pushes through in July
AFTER several postponements in the previous few months, the 57th Binibining Pilipinas pageant will finally push through via online streaming on July 11 from the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The final lineup has 34 candidates from the original 40. Three candidates have withdrawn from the competition having decided to pursue other interests, one dropped out due […]
BSP to support the economy for ‘as long as necessary’ — Diokno
THE CENTRAL BANK chief has reiterated the regulator’s commitment to support the economy for “as long as necessary” while maintaining financial stability, but said it has room to address any risks that may result from the unwinding of easy policy in the United States. “The BSP (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas) will continue to focus on […]
UnionBank to use AI to personalize its product offerings for customers
UNIONBANK of the Philippines, Inc. is looking to profile its customers using data science and artificial intelligence (AI) to help match them with the products that suit their needs. “By harnessing AI, we have the ability to analyze data culled from various sources — customer profiles, and past interactions, for example — and provide tailor-fit […]
Unemployment declined but remained high in Q1
AROUND 12.2 million adult Filipinos were jobless in the first quarter, Social Weather Stations (SWS) estimated, citing projections made from one of its surveys. In a statement Thursday, SWS said adult joblessness fell by 1.5 percentage points to 25.8% compared to the fourth quarter of 2020. This latest level is still much higher than the […]
Maynilad spends P410M for pressure-regulating valves
MAYNILAD Water Services, Inc. spent P410 million for the placement of pressure-regulating valves (PRV) in select parts of its distribution system. The water concessionaire, which provides water for the west zone of Metro Manila, said the PRV installation aims to manage water pressure in its network and improve the availability of water supply for its […]
Entertainment News (06/18/21)
1 of 4 SINGER-songwriter Jayda AXN Asia drops first crime thriller podcast AXN Asia will be launching its first crime thriller podcast, Fey Hollow: The Fairy Tale Murders, on June 20. Created by Natasha Koster and voiced by an international cast, the podcast follows the story of two detectives tracking down a sadistic serial killer […]
Non-verbal cues from key talent planning to resign
We have a low turnover rate, but just the same, we’re worried that our hard-to-replace workers may be looking for the chance to move to other organizations for whatever reason. Is there a way to anticipate their moves so we can respond proactively to retain them? — Blue Tab There’s a saying — “dig the […]
Stuff to do (06/18/21)
1 of 6 Robinsons Galleria hosts artisans fair ROBINSONS Malls will host the 5th Made in QC (MIQC) Local Artisans’ Fair to be held at Robinsons Galleria on June 18 to 19. The fair will showcase MIQC purveyors’ hand-crafted products ranging from soaps and candles, bags, to ice cream and jewelry. Over 15 businesses from […]