JTI backs unified tax on e-cigarettes

Philstar - Sep 30, 2026

A proposed unified tax rate on e-cigarettes may help plug a loophole that provides an avenue for illicit traders to misdeclare higher-taxed products, while ensuring the government collects proper revenues, JTI Philippines said.

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Boosting AI-driven search performance in Southeast Asia with a smart regional marketing strategy

Oct 9, 2026

Boosting AI-driven search performance in Southeast Asia with a smart regional marketing strategy

ASEAN consumers increasingly use AI tools like ChatGPT for product research, shifting visibility challenges from Google rankings. Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) now structures content for AI citation and recommendation, becoming essential for foreign businesses entering Southeast Asian markets competing for consumer decision-making visibility.

SEC proposes exchange-led oversight of green equity labels

Oct 9, 2026

SEC proposes exchange-led oversight of green equity labels

MANILA, Philippines — The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is seeking comments on proposed revisions to Philippine Green Equity guidelines that would put exchanges in charge of granting and monitoring the label for qualifying listed companies. The draft would task exchanges with evaluating applications, accrediting external reviewers, and checking issuers’ continued compliance, subject to SEC oversight.

WTO sees rosier trade in ‘26 as AI shipments boom

Oct 9, 2026

WTO sees rosier trade in ‘26 as AI shipments boom

MANILA, Philippines — The World Trade Organization (WTO) has more than doubled its global merchandise trade growth forecast for 2026, as surging demand for artificial intelligence (AI) equipment, particularly from Asian manufacturers, has outweighed disruptions caused by the war in the Middle East. In its latest Global Trade Outlook and Statistics report, the Geneva-based organization

DA urges youth to take up farming

Oct 9, 2026

DA urges youth to take up farming

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) is urging the new generation of Filipinos to return to farming, stressing that distributing land, loans, or subsidies alone will not resolve the issue of an aging farm workforce. “For the Philippines, generational renewal in agriculture and fisheries is not simply about replacing an aging generation,” Agriculture Assistant

BIR abatement program draws 2,379 micro taxpayers in 3 months

Oct 9, 2026

BIR abatement program draws 2,379 micro taxpayers in 3 months

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 2,379 micro taxpayers have availed of the One-Time Abatement Program of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) as of Oct. 3, with total tax liabilities and penalties abated reaching P149.35 million. These taxpayers filed 10,229 applications under the program, of which 8,464 have so far been approved. Of the

BIR warns taxpayers against fake ORUS website

Oct 9, 2026

BIR warns taxpayers against fake ORUS website

MANILA, Philippines —The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) warns taxpayers against accessing orus.ph, a website that appears to imitate its Online Registration and Update System (ORUS). The website may expose users to suspicious pop-ups, unfamiliar prompts, or other potentially unsafe content that could pose privacy and cybersecurity risks. Taxpayers are strongly advised not to access

Megawide shifts P1.23B in bond proceeds to 4PH housing

Oct 9, 2026

Megawide shifts P1.23B in bond proceeds to 4PH housing

MANILA, Philippines — Saavedra-led Megawide Construction Corp. is redirecting P1.23 billion in unused bond proceeds from transport-centric developments to housing projects under the government’s Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) program. Its board approved the reallocation on Friday, Oct. 9, according to a stock exchange disclosure. READ: Megawide bags P13B in new gov’t housing contracts The

PSEi rebounds to 5,700 as bargain hunters return

Oct 9, 2026

PSEi rebounds to 5,700 as bargain hunters return

MANILA, Philippines — Local stocks rebounded Friday as investors bought beaten-down shares. Meanwhile, a pause in the peso’s slide offered some relief to market sentiment. The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) climbed 1.61 percent, or 90.60 points, to close at 5,700.99, partially reversing Thursday’s 2.2-percent decline. READ: Peso sinks to fresh record low of

No sign of reenacted budget yet, says DBM

Oct 9, 2026

No sign of reenacted budget yet, says DBM

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has yet to see any sign of a reenacted budget for 2027, amid concerns that the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte could delay legislative deliberations. “We’re working closely with Congress to ensure that the process keeps moving forward. We haven’t seen any signs

MPIC closes P12.4-B Meralco share acquisition

Oct 9, 2026

MPIC closes P12.4-B Meralco share acquisition

MANILA, Philippines — Pangilinan-led Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) has strengthened its grip on Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) after completing a P12.4-billion acquisition of an additional stake from tycoon Ramon Ang. In a disclosure on Friday, Ang-led San Miguel Corp. said its energy arm, San Miguel Global Power Holdings Corp. (SMGP), had already completed the sale

DBM sees no sign budget will be reenacted in 2027

Oct 9, 2026

DBM sees no sign budget will be reenacted in 2027

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) continues to work with Congress to ensure the passage of the proposed 2027 budget and avoid a reenacted spending program for next year, a top official said Friday.

K&K offers extra warranty to One Stanley homebuyers amid building defects furore

Oct 9, 2026

K&K offers extra warranty to One Stanley homebuyers amid building defects furore

Developer K&K Property has announced plans to offer a six-year structural warranty to homeowners at its luxury One Stanley development, as the company seeks to move on from a growing furore over alleged construction defects at the complex. “As the developer of the One Stanley development project, we attach great importance to the recent public attention surrounding one of the detached houses in the project,” the company said in a statement released late on Friday. One Stanley, a collection of...

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