THE PHILIPPINES slipped three places in a corruption index released by Global Risk Profile (GRP), which noted that financial aid programs during the pandemic created opportunities for corruption and bribery.

AUDREY CRUZ was one of the many Filipinos who sold pans of sushi bake at the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

THE RECENT global economic outlook has become “gloomy and more uncertain,” according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). As businesses bounce back from the pandemic, countries are facing shocks from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, rising inflation and a global economic slowdown. A possible global recession is further complicating the outlook.

THE PESO may continue to strengthen against the dollar this week ahead of the release of the minutes of the US Federal Reserve’s November meeting, which could provide hints on its next move.

PHILIPPINE SHARES may move sideways this week as investors could pocket profits from the market’s recent rise amid a lack of leads.

THE INDEPENDENT Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP) said it hopes to launch Mindanao’s wholesale electricity spot market (WESM) by the first quarter of next year.  

THE DEPARTMENT of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it hopes to roll out a P250-million startup fund by early next year.

ISRAEL’s water industry considers Cebu as a potential market for desalination technology to address its inadequate water supply, Israel’s economic attache to Manila said.

INCREASING the share of renewable energy (RE) in the power mix should take priority over the Department of Energy’s (DoE’s) plans to introduce nuclear power, an energy think tank said.

THE BANGKO SENTRAL ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Thursday raised its key interest rate for a sixth time this year to tame inflation, which it now sees rising to 5.8% by yearend.

S&P GLOBAL RATINGS affirmed on Thursday the Philippines’ investment grade rating, amid the economy’s continued recovery from the pandemic.

CONSUMERS in Metro Manila will face higher water bills starting next year.