THE Philippines is expected to realize a fiscal deficit of 2.9% of gross domestic product (GDP) this year — slightly below the government’s 3% target — due to the sharp uptick in infrastructure spending, according to HSBC Global Research.

LIVING in the Philippines has always been challenging and difficult for many Filipinos. But never since the Marcos dictatorship has it been more dangerous than today for Lumad, dissenters, women, human rights defenders and the poor.

THE REUNION of former celebrity couple Sharon Cuneta and Gabby Concepcion in a McDonald’s commercial handily beat four episodes of Jollibee’s ad series, “Kwentong Jollibee,” making it the most popular YouTube ad in the Philippines for the first half of 2018.

SHARES are expected to rise in the week ahead, taking cues from the positive finish in August and expectations for listed companies’ plans during last quarter of 2018.

THE Mining Industry Coordinating Council (MICC) is expected to come up with its full review of the 26 mining firms ordered closed by former environment secretary Regina Paz L. Lopez by the end of this month, which will be then submitted to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

AT THE BAIPHIL 3^rd General Membership Meeting, corporate governance “guru” and guest speaker Dr. Jesus Estanislao emphasized that governance demands a focus on the long-term, realizing a great “vision” in five to ten years. Governance demands a focus on the institution and what the institution should become. Yes, people are very important, but cautioned against personalities. He said governance asks for a strategy, a set of priorities pursued across all the different facets of any business. The key focus is on priorities which must be inter-connected and mutually supportive.

SINGAPORE-BASED The Ascott Limited continued to expand in the Philippines with the opening of the third branch of its apartment hotel brand Citadines.

THE PHILIPPINES is expected to reduce its rice imports due to ample inventories and increased production forecast for 2019/2020, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) said.

THE Foundation for Economic Freedom (FEF) on Monday raised concerns over the provisions of the draft Federal Constitution on foreign ownership restrictions, saying that it still retained the “out of step and out of sync” limitations under the current Charter.

THE HONG KONG and Shanghai Banking Corp. (HSBC) is looking to roll out more mobile services to corporate clients in the Philippines over the coming year, following a jump in its credit card business secured through digital platforms.

BUDGET carrier Tigerair Taiwan Co., Ltd. is set to launch its first route connecting Taipei to the Philippines on Dec. 1, the Taiwan-based airline said.

THE value of electronics exports in the first 10 months of the year rose 5.20% to $31.71 billion, with the industry maintaining its place as the Philippines’ biggest source of merchandise exports.