German chamber positive for PHL prospects as region deemed priority

THE German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI) said the prospects are positive for the Philippines in 2023, with German companies targeting Asia as a priority destination. “(GPCCI is) optimistic… Germany is pushing companies to go to Asia and the Philippines is one of the destinations…,” GPCCI Senior Vice-President Marie Antoniette Mariano said in a […]

ERC cites rate reviews, CSP revision as 2023 priorities

THE Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) said its 2023 priorities are reviewing distribution utility (DU) and transmission rates, as well as revising the guidelines for the competitive selection process (CSP). ERC Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer Monalisa C. Dimalanta said in a Viber message on Thursday that the ERC will work to mitigate expected rate increase […]

Fintech company JustPayto tapped for MSME digital payment system

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it signed a partnership deal with financial tech firm JustPayto Philippines Corp. to provide digital payment services to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The DTI said that the partnership with JustPayto, finalized in December, will onboard all interested DTI-registered businesses into the fintech’s platform.   “We […]

Stocks rise on slower-than-expected inflation

STOCKS continued to rally on Thursday as December inflation came in below market expectations despite picking up from the November level. The 30-member Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) went up by 42.83 points or 0.63% to close at 6,761.33 on Thursday, while the broader all shares index added 13.38 points or 0.37% to end at […]

Peso rebounds on Dec. inflation data, Fed minutes

THE PESO rebounded against the dollar on Thursday on slower-than-expected December inflation and following the release of the minutes of the US central bank’s meeting last month. The local currency closed at P55.75 versus the greenback, up by 16 centavos from Wednesday’s finish of P55.91, data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines showed. The […]

Cops in drug trade an ‘open secret’ — Barbers 

THE INVOLVEMENT of some law enforcers in the illegal drug trade has been an “open secret,” said Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace S. Barbers as he expressed support to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) chief’s strategy of asking top-ranking police officers to file a courtesy resignation while an investigation is carried […]

10 Iloilo towns declared ASF red zones 

TEN towns in Iloilo province are now marked as red zones for African Swine Fever (ASF), with the addition of Banate on Jan. 4.   Iloilo Gov. Arthur R. Defensor, Jr., in an executive order released on Thursday, directed the inclusion of the municipality of Banate in ongoing containment measures against the viral disease that kills […]

PHL chess team top Hong Kong Bauhinia U18 Chess Invitational

THE PHILIPPINES chess team earned a major victory at the recently concluded Hong Kong Bauhinia U18 Chess Invitational, finishing as champion in the team competition (main event). The team is composed of Mark Jay Bacojo, Ayana Nicole Usman and Alexandra Sydney Paez. The Philippines’ strong performance is a testament to the hard work and dedication […]

Eala in Melbourne for 2023 Australian Open qualifier

ALEX Eala wasted no time hitting the ground running in the Land Down Under in preparation for a historic qualifying stint in the 2023 Australian Open. Hours after landing in Melbourne, the Filipina teen sensation tested her swings right away with hopes of perfecting her game for her debut in the women’s Grand Slam singles […]

PSEi up as factory activity hits 6-month high

PHILIPPINE SHARES continued to rise on Wednesday as local manufacturing activity improved in December, indicating a robust economy. The bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) surged by 132.49 points or 2.01% to close at 6,718.50 on Wednesday, while the broader all shares index rose by 60.37 points or 1.73% to 3,537.07. “Stocks moved higher as […]

Air traffic regulator ordered to explain New Year’s glitch

THE GOVERNANCE Commission for Government-Owned or -Controlled Corporations (GCG) on Wednesday ordered the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to submit a report on the air traffic management glitch that led to thousands of canceled flights on Jan. 1. In a statement, the body that serves as the central advisory, oversight and monitoring body […]

Marcos vows to improve economic ties with China

PHILIPPINE President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Wednesday vowed to improve ties with China and explore more areas of economic cooperation in the post-coronavirus pandemic era. Mr. Marcos made the commitment at a meeting with Li Zhanshu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, which is equivalent to the Philippine Legislature. During […]