MANILA, Philippines — Aznar Shipping Corp. plans to keep its expansion within the Visayas even as the Cebu-based shipping company prepares to raise fresh capital from an initial public offering (IPO), betting there are still enough opportunities in its home market. On Friday, company president and CEO Kyle Alexander Aznar said they have no immediate plans

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) is seeking market feedback on proposed rules that would allow qualified listed companies to carry a Green Equity Label, as the bourse moves to strengthen transparency around environmentally aligned investments. Under the draft rules, which are open for comments until Oct. 2, the label may be granted

MANILA, Philippines — The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is looking at further slashing the retail choice threshold to 50 kilowatts (kW) in 2027 to allow more Filipino consumers to pick their own electricity supplier. ERC Chair and CEO Francis Saturnino Juan said the commission is currently assessing the traction in the competitive retail electricity market

MANILA, Philippines — The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) is set to lay down common rules on how artificial intelligence (AI) should be used and governed across its member states, particularly as concerns over the technology grow. According to Trade Undersecretary Allan Gepty, the planned Asean Digital Economy Framework Agreement (Defa) would not only tackle

The Philippines' gross international reserves (GIR) increased in August due to the rise in gold prices and the central bank's higher earnings from its overseas investments.

Yatsen Group, the Chinese beauty company behind Perfect Diary cosmetics, plans to deepen its push into skincare and new product research to sustain its growth, after a years-long overhaul of its business that has seen the firm acquire a string of overseas brands. The Guangzhou-based company will slow its acquisition spree for now and instead focus on expanding its existing portfolio of skincare offerings, while maintaining – and potentially raising – its research and development spending, which...

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul will visit Japan, the U.S., and the U.K. from September 20-27 for diplomatic and investment tasks, including attending the UNGA81 and meeting tech executives. Key Points Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is set to visit Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom from September 20 to 27 for diplomatic and economic […]

Some places we visit, and some we carry with us. For me, Bacolod City is one of those places. I found myself thinking about it again when I saw the MassKara masks appearing in anticipation of another October celebration. MassKara 2026 will run from October 1 to 18, filling the City of Smiles with color,

It has become one of the most distinctive signatures in Philippine real estate. For more than three decades, the signature Rockwell lifestyle has been defined by an experience that goes well beyond the residence. Its premium towers, manicured open spaces, curated retail, exceptional finishes and prime addresses are all part of the appeal, but they

I love a good discovery, especially when it comes with gorgeous craftsmanship and a story worth hearing. That was exactly what made the media launch of BÚTLAK: The 40th Negros Trade Fair such a treat. Homegrown Negrense enterprises offered a lively preview of what’s coming to Manila this September, with pieces that felt fresh, confident

Nowadays, it is common to see planned communities in cities and emerging urban areas across the Philippines. Less than 20 years ago, however, these estates seemed unusual, especially outside Metro Manila. After all, houses, offices and commercial centers belong to different zoning sectors. The idea of living, working and relaxing in one large estate seemed

Imagine coming home to a community steeped in the spirit of a tropical paradise, where an ordinary day carries the ease and exhilaration of a seaside retreat. That freeing sense of tranquility can be more than an escape—it can be a lifestyle. Much anticipation now surrounds Century Properties’ newest beach-inspired lifestyle estate, Cerulean Residences, as

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) is looking to ramp up local dairy production with a P237.9-million laboratory that would allow farmers to breed more female carabaos for milk production. The DA inaugurated the world’s first laboratory dedicated exclusively to sex-sorting buffalo semen on Friday in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija. It uses flow cytometry to

China and ASEAN deepen economic ties through expanded trade agreements like CAFTA 3.0 and RCEP, lowering barriers and fostering cooperation in digital economy, green development, and regional supply chains with surging trade growth.

GENEVA, Switzerland — Developing countries should seize emerging opportunities from global trade system reforms and diversifying global supply chains, according to the World Trade Organization (WTO). WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said developing economies should identify and lobby for revisions to existing trade policies rather than complain about them. READ: PH backs careful recalibration of global trade

GENEVA, Switzerland—Net food-importing countries such as the Philippines should keep food trade open while strengthening food security measures to cushion supply disruptions, according to the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) top official. Speaking to foreign journalists here, WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said these countries should still adopt domestic food security measures to feed their populations. READ:

MANILA, Phiippines — Local stocks sank below the 5,900 level on Friday as rising treasury yields, elevated oil prices and a weak peso dampened investor appetite. The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) fell 1.72 percent, or 102.73 points, to close at 5,855.91. READ: Diesel seen up by as much as P10.50 per liter next week

MANILA, Philippines — The General Santos City Chamber of Commerce and Industry has expressed support for the proposed deal to inject new capital into South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative (Socoteco II), while calling for safeguards to protect consumer interests. According to a statement approved by its board, the Gensan Chamber said the planned joint venture

Vice President Sara Duterte proposed stronger coordination between the government and the private sector to establish better maritime trade arrangements to drive cross-border employment and economic growth between Mindanao and Borneo.

A party-list representative has filed a resolution seeking an investigation into Meta"s online safety efforts and to look into stricter measures, even a total ban on Facebook, if the social media platform is found ineffective against scams and "fake and exploitative content," according to Maki Pulido's report on "24 Oras."

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said the initial public offering (IPO) of GCash parent Mynt Inc. could help micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) expand their market reach and grow their businesses.

China is showing early signs of stepping up imports of crude oil after months of subdued buying amid the US-Israel war on Iran, threatening to erode a buffer that has helped prevent a larger surge in global oil prices. But analysts do not expect China to quickly return to its pre-war import levels, as elevated crude prices could squeeze margins for Chinese refineries and the country’s stockpiles are still large enough to last for several months. Signs of a rebound in Chinese demand emerged in...

Tesla officials and engineers have begun auditing part of the firm’s Chinese supply chain, as Elon Musk’s company aims to quickly ramp up production of its Optimus humanoid robot after it hits the global market later this year, according to sources with knowledge of the matter. Chinese companies set to undergo supplier audits included heat-control component manufacturer Zhejiang Sanhua Intelligent Controls, auto parts supplier Ningbo Joyson Electronic, and chassis producer Tuopu Group, two...

MANILA, Philippines — GCash operator Mynt Inc. has received approval from the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) for its initial public offering (IPO), moving closer to one of the largest listings in the country. On Friday, Ayala Corp. and Globe Telecom Inc. said in separate statements that Mynt received the PSE’s Notice of Approval on Sept.

A group of businesses and entrepreneurs in General Santos City is backing the proposed joint venture between South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative (SOCOTECO II) and Razon-Pacquaio-led IGNITE Power and Energy Holdings Inc.

MANILA, Philippines — Motorists need to tighten their belts as local oil firms plan to impose massive oil price hikes of up to P10.50 per liter next week, driven by worsening geopolitical conflicts. In an advisory, Jetti Petroleum president Leo Bellas said diesel prices could hit another double-digit increase, ranging from P10 to P10.50 per

Nearly one-fifth of surveyed companies in the Asia-Pacific region believe wider adoption of artificial intelligence will reduce their real estate needs, a new study by CBRE has found. More than half – 56 per cent – held a neutral view, believing either that AI had no impact on office space demand or that it was too early to determine its effect, according to the property consultancy’s poll of corporate real estate executives in the region. The remaining 25 per cent said AI adoption would require...

Cebu-based passenger and cargo services company Aznar Shipping Corp. is planning to conduct an initial public offering (IPO) to raise funds to bankroll its fleet expansion and proposed shipyard project.

The Philippine peso softened against the US dollar after three straight trading days of appreciation, as the greenback was buoyed by the Federal Reserve"s decision to hike rates. The local currency shed 1.9 centavos to close Friday at P62.749:$1 from Thursday"s finish of P62.73:$1.

Philippine shares closed in the red on Friday, with the local stock barometer sliding to 5,800 level, as investors sold positions after a rebalancing of the Financial Times Stock Exchange (FTSE) and the continued sour sentiment amid the ongoing Middle East fuel crisis.