Banks’ outstanding foreign currency loans climb to $15.9B at end-June
OUTSTANDING LOANS released by banks’ foreign currency deposit units (FCDU) increased at end-June, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported.
FCDU loans inched up by...
PHL brands must be wary of ‘AI slops,’ says DoubleVerify
PHILIPPINE BRANDS should ensure that their advertisements are not linked to artificial intelligence (AI) “slops” or inaccurate AI-generated content as it can dent consumer...
Peso rebounds as dollar weakens due to US government shutdown
THE PESO rebounded on Wednesday as the dollar was hit by the US government’s shutdown.
The local unit closed at P58.12 versus the greenback, rising...
Making universal healthcare work
By Marvin Tort
In 2024, the government swept “idle” balances from government-owned and -controlled corporations, including P60 billion from the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. or PhilHealth. PhilHealth...
Philippine cacao now found in Belgian chocolate
ENDERUN got a sweet treat on Sept. 25 with the launch of Belcolade Origins Noir Philippines 68% Cacao-Trace.
The beans are from Mindanao (specifically from...
Why the Philippines must prepare for AI-driven data breaches
FILIPINOS love the internet. With 97.5 million people online, equivalent to 83.8% of the population, the Philippines ranks among the heaviest internet users in the world. Nearly all of these internet users (98.5%) access it through their mobile phones, spending close to nine hours online daily. About five of those hours are spent on mobile devices, with the remainder spent on desktops and tablets.
Turkish Airlines widens the world
THE PHILIPPINES became part of the largest network of flight destinations when Turkish Airlines first flew out of Manila in 2015. This wide-reaching global connectivity has been recognized by a certification from the Guinness World Records. Today the Star Alliance member operates flights to 303 international destinations across six continents, the most than any other airline in the world. The domestic reach within the only country that straddles between Asia and Europe reaches 53 points of embarkation.
Controlling a high budget deficit, reducing public debt
By Bienvenido S. Oplas, Jr.
Last week the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) released the cash operations report (COR) then the outstanding public debt for August. So here I...
From Riyadh to Silicon Valley: How EA became the jewel of Saudi Arabia’s gaming...
LONDON — For years, tech-focused buyout group Silver Lake coveted video game developer Electronic Arts (EA), the power behind the popular “Battlefield” and “Madden...
Powerful earthquake rocks central Philippines, killing at least 69 people
A 6.9-MAGNITUDE earthquake struck the central Philippine province of Cebu on Tuesday night, leaving at least 69 people dead, according to the local disaster...
Philippine priority bills may risk missing structural fixes
PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s administration has set 44 priority measures for Congress, but critics say the package risks falling short of addressing the Philippines’ deep economic weaknesses despite promises of stronger governance, wider social services and energy security.
Tropical Depression Paolo forms, may hit Luzon by Friday — state weather bureau
TROPICAL Depression Paolo has developed from a low-pressure area east of Catanduanes in the Bicol region and was expected to make landfall over Isabela or northern Aurora on Friday, the state weather bureau said on Wednesday.