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FAST Logistics to build support kiosk in Nueva Vizcaya

STOCK PHOTO | Image by Kjpargeter from Freepik

FAST LOGISTICS GROUP seeks to set up the first logistics support kiosk in Nueva Vizcaya to aid farmers and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) in northern Luzon.

The kiosk, the first of its kind in the Cagayan Valley region, would be built inside the OTOP Store in Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya, the company said in a statement at the weekend.

It was formalized through a memorandum of partnership agreement signed last week by FAST Chief Executive Officer for Logistics Manuel L. Onrejas, Jr. and provincial officials.

“The initiative aims to ease transport bottlenecks and help agricultural producers and MSMEs reach bigger markets by providing a full suite of logistics solutions — including transport, warehousing, cross-docking, last-mile delivery — along with direct linkages to institutional buyers in urban centers,” FAST said.

The kiosk will serve as a drop-off and consolidation point for MSME products from Aritao to surrounding areas. FAST will help transport these products to key markets like Metro Manila.

The Trade department supports about 3,000 MSMEs in the province.   

“Our partnership with FAST Logistics opens new opportunities for MSMEs in Aritao and nearby towns to grow and reach bigger markets,” Aritao Municipal Mayor Remelina Peros-Galam said in the statement.

The initiative will also help transport farm products from the province, which is the “Ginger Capital of the Philippines” and “Citrus Capital of Luzon.”

Many of its local farmers grapple with logistical barriers that cut their profitability and lead to food wastage.

“Logistics should be an enabler, not a barrier, so we are making it easier for fresh produce to reach institutional buyers and larger markets,” Mr. Onrejas said.

FAST added that it is exploring ways to support the Aritao Cold Storage Facility and the Aritao Agricultural Trading Post. It is also looking to provide locals with logistics training and employment opportunities.

“We will continue to work with our partners to help build a more resilient food supply chain,” Mr. Onrejas said. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

Jury in Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ sex trafficking trial raises concerns about one juror

Sean “Diddy” Combs on the talk show Late Night with Seth Myers. — IMDB

NEW YORK — The judge overseeing Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex trafficking trial on Monday said he would remind jurors of their obligation to deliberate and follow his instructions about the law, after the jury warned that one member of the 12-juror panel may not be able to follow the judge’s guidance.

US District Judge Arun Subramanian read the note aloud in Manhattan federal court about two hours after the jury began deliberating.

“We have a juror, number 25, who we are concerned cannot follow your honor’s instructions,” the note read, in part.

The note did not elaborate on which instructions the juror cannot follow. The jurors are anonymous, which is not the norm in US criminal trials but is common in high-profile cases in which jurors could face harassment or threats.

After discussing the note with prosecutors and defense lawyers, Mr. Subramanian said he would send a note back to the jury reminding them of their obligations but take no further action for now.

Juror number 25 described himself during jury selection on May 5 as a 51-year-old veterinarian who lives in Manhattan with his domestic partner, a freelance graphic designer. The juror said he has a doctorate in molecular biology and neuroscience, and enjoys nature documentaries, opera, and hiking.

Mr. Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to racketeering conspiracy and two counts each of sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. A former billionaire known for elevating hip-hop in American culture, Mr. Combs could be sentenced to life behind bars if convicted on all five counts.

Over more than six weeks of testimony, two of Mr. Combs’ former girlfriends — the rhythm and blues singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura and a woman known in court by the pseudonym Jane — told jurors that he forced them to take part in the performances with paid male escorts, sometimes known as “Freak Offs,” while he watched, masturbated, and occasionally filmed.

Both women testified that Mr. Combs beat them, and jurors saw a hotel surveillance video showing Mr. Combs attacking Ms. Ventura in a hallway in 2016.

“Cassie repeatedly told you that the defendant’s violence was in the back of her mind whenever he proposed a Freak Off,” prosecutor Christy Slavik said in her closing argument on Thursday. “The whole point was to control Cassie, to make her afraid to say no to the defendant. And it worked.”

Mr. Combs’ lawyers acknowledged that he was at times violent in domestic relationships, but argued that Ms. Ventura and Jane took part consensually in the performances. During cross-examination, the defense highlighted tender and sexually explicit text messages the women sent Mr. Combs over the course of their years-long relationships with him.

“If he was charged with domestic violence, we wouldn’t all be here,” defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo said during his closing argument on Friday. “He did not do the things he’s charged with.”

The founder of Bad Boy Records, Mr. Combs lived a lavish lifestyle in his Miami and Los Angeles mansions and was feted for turning artists like Notorious B.I.G. and Usher into stars.

He has been held in federal lockup in Brooklyn since his September 2024 arrest. — Reuters

Levels of Literacy in the Philippines

The basic literacy rate among those five years old and older Filipinos was estimated at 90%, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported, citing data from latest survey results. Read the full story.

Levels of Literacy in the Philippines

How PSEi member stocks performed — July 1, 2025

Here’s a quick glance at how PSEi stocks fared on Tuesday, July 1, 2025.


Peso climbs further on lower oil prices, Trump tax bill concerns

BW FILE PHOTO

THE PESO continued to strengthen against the dollar on Tuesday, rising for the sixth consecutive session, as oil prices continued to decline and with markets awaiting the fate of US President Donald J. Trump’s tax bill.

The local unit closed at P56.30 per dollar, climbing by three centavos from its P56.33 finish on Monday, Bankers Association of the Philippines data showed.

The peso opened Tuesday’s session stronger at P56.25 against the dollar. It climbed to as high as P56.145, while its intraday low was at P56.369 versus the greenback.

Dollars traded went up to $1.97 billion on Tuesday from $1.82 billion on Monday.

“The dollar-peso closed a tad lower due to renewed optimism of trade deals and concerns over the US debt crisis,” a trader said in a phone interview.

The peso was also supported by continued optimism over the ceasefire between Iran and Israel, which has led to lower global oil prices, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said in a Viber message.

This would support further rate cuts by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) as inflation likely remained below the 2-4% target range, even as it likely picked up slightly last month as fuel costs spiked due to the 12-day conflict in the Middle East, he said.

A BusinessWorld poll of 17 analysts yielded a median estimate of 1.5% for June headline inflation, up from the 1.3% in May but still below the BSP’s target.

If realized, this would be the fastest print in three months or since 1.8% in March but would be slower than the 3.7% print in June 2024. This is also within the BSP’s June estimate of 1.1% to 1.9%.

For Wednesday, the trader expects the peso to move between P56.20 and P56.50 per dollar, while Mr. Ricafort sees it ranging from P56.15 to P56.40.

The US dollar weakened on Tuesday, falling the most against the Japanese yen and the Swiss franc, as Mr. Trump’s massive tax-cut and spending bill stoked fiscal worries and uncertainty around trade deals weighed on sentiment, Reuters reported.

Investors have also started wagering on a quicker pace of monetary policy easing by the Federal Reserve this year ahead of a slew of US economic data this week, headlined by Thursday’s nonfarm payrolls report.

That spurred dollar selling, which slipped 0.33% to a new 10-year low and fetched 0.790 Swiss francs, while the greenback dropped 0.64% to 143.08 Japanese yen. The yen capped the first half of the year with a 9% gain — its strongest performance since 2016.

The euro was perched at a near four-year high of $1.1781. The single currency surged 13.8% in the January-June period, its strongest-ever first-half performance, LSEG data showed.

Sterling inched up 0.2% to $1.3757, not far from the three-and-a-half-year high it touched last week, while the dollar index, which measures the US currency against six others, slipped to 96.698, its lowest since February 2022.

Goldman Sachs now expects the Fed to deliver three quarter-point interest rate cuts this year compared with its earlier forecast of a single reduction in December, citing muted tariff effects and labor market weakness.

Investors are also grappling with uncertainty over the US Senate’s efforts to pass Mr. Trump’s budget bill, which faces internal party divisions over its projected $3.3 trillion addition to the national debt. The fiscal concerns have dampened sentiment and prompted some investors to diversify.

The world’s reserve currency is down more than 10% this year, its biggest first-half dive since the era of free-floating currencies began in the early 1970s.

Meanwhile, Mr. Trump has continued hammering the Fed to ease monetary policy, sending Fed Chair Jerome H. Powell a list of central bank interest rates around the world adorned with handwritten commentary saying the US rate should be between Japan’s 0.5% and Denmark’s 1.75%. — A.M.C. Sy with Reuters

PSEi jumps to over one-month high on PMI data

The lobby of the Philippine Stock Exchange in Taguig City, Sept. 30, 2020. — REUTERS

PHILIPPINE SHARES rose on Tuesday, with the benchmark returning above the 6,400 line to log a one-month high, on better manufacturing data and as a law that aims to boost market participation took effect.

The bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) jumped by 0.92% or 58.91 points to close at 6,423.85, while the all shares index rose by 0.46% or 17.69 points to 3,799.36.

This was the PSEi’s best finish in over a month or since it closed at 6,425.80 on May 28.

“Philippine shares edged higher as the S&P Global Philippines manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) rose to 50.7 in June, signaling slight improvement in factory activity,” Regina Capital Development Corp. Head of Sales Luis A. Limlingan said in a Viber message. “Sentiment was also buoyed by the start of Capital Markets Efficiency Promotion Act (CMEPA) implementation, which reduced the STT (stock transaction tax) to 0.1%.”

The Philippines’ manufacturing PMI improved from 50.1 in May as production rebounded, S&P Global said.

“The local market bounced back amid expectations that inflation last June had remained well under control despite certain upside risks, giving the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) room to continue their policy easing,” Philstocks Financial Inc. Research Manager Japhet Louis O. Tantiangco said in a Viber message. “Investors also cheered the appreciation of the local currency against the dollar.”

A BusinessWorld poll of 17 analysts yielded a median estimate of 1.5% for the June consumer price index (CPI), up from the 1.3% in May but still below the BSP’s 2-4% annual target.

If realized, this would be the fastest clip in three months or since 1.8% in March.

Still, this would be slower than the 3.7% print in June 2024 and is well within the BSP’s June forecast of 1.1% to 1.9%.

Majority of sectoral indices closed higher on Tuesday. Holding firms climbed by 2.20% or 121.44 points to 5,617.99; mining and oil went up by 2.18% or 207.62 points to 9,712.21; property jumped by 1.89% or 45.31 points to 2,440.04; and industrials increased by 0.24% or 22.11 points to 9,064.76.

Meanwhile, financials dropped by 0.42% or 9.76 points to 2,268.86 and services slipped by 0.13% or 3 points to 2,159.58.

“GT Capital Holdings, Inc. was the day’s index leader, jumping 5.84% to P607.50. Converge ICT Solutions, Inc. was the main index laggard, falling 3.39% to P18.80,” Mr. Tantiangco said.

Value turnover declined to P7.69 billion on Tuesday with 1.35 billion shares exchanged from the P7.89 billion with 1.05 billion stocks traded on Monday.

Advancers outnumbered decliners, 115 versus 79, while 65 names were unchanged.

Net foreign buying increased to P969.71 million on Tuesday from P114.09 million on Monday. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

NFA to resume corn procurement

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

THE National Food Authority (NFA) is hoping to resume stockpiling corn in 2026, which may require about half a billion pesos in funding, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).

The NFA will focus on procuring white corn, which is deemed suitable for human consumption, as opposed to yellow corn, which typically goes into animal feed, Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. told reporters.

“Of course, there will be some yellow corn. Why white corn? Because it’s for food,” he said, noting that corn grits could be an alternative to rice.

“We still have many areas in the Philippines (whose people) eat corn grits,” he added.

Mr. Laurel said promoting corn grits as a rice alternative may soften demand for rice.

He said the DA has sought a budget of up to P1 billion for palay (unmilled rice) procurement by the NFA.

Corn production for 2025-2026 will likely rise 0.6% to 8.2 million metric tons, according to an April report by the US Department of Agriculture. 

It cited favorable weather conditions, continued government support programs, and increasing demand for animal feed.

However, it said the projected production increase will not keep up with demand, leading to a possible increase in corn imports. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

11 renewable projects gain green-lane status in June

CREC.COM.PH

THE GOVERNMENT approved 11 renewable energy projects in June for green-lane status, entitling the project proponents to expedited approval processes, according to the Board of Investments (BoI).

The projects are valued at a combined P509.218 billion, including a P457-billion hydroelectric power project in the Cordillera region, it said. 

The proposed 2,000-megawatts Maton Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Power Project of Pan Pacific Renewable Power Phils. Corp. in Apayao province involves the construction of reservoirs along the Maton River to serve as an energy storage facility.

The 11 renewable projects, which bring in $7.845 billion in foreign investment, are expected to generate 10,151 jobs.

In the first six months, 46 projects received green-lane status and were valued at P1.211 trillion.

Of the total, 35 involved renewable energy and eight focused on food security. There were two manufacturing projects and one digital infrastructure project.

“Renewable energy is driving the clean energy transition, while digital infrastructure, food security, and manufacturing support innovation, resilience, and inclusive growth,” BoI Director Ernesto C. delos Reyes, Jr. of the One-Stop Action Center for Strategic Investments said via Viber.

He said starting July, renewable energy projects will follow investment thresholds set by the Department of Energy’s Certificates of Energy Projects of National Significance program “to prioritize high-impact developments.” — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Offshore wind developers asked to disclose plans for infrastructure

WORLDBANK.ORG

THE Department of Energy (DoE) is asking offshore wind farm developers to submit their infrastructure plans to improve government planning in the runup to 2028, when the wind farms are expected to first start feeding power into the grid.

“Developers are encouraged to submit infrastructure plans at the earliest stages to support inter-agency coordination, reduce bottlenecks, and enhance accountability,” the DoE said in a statement on Tuesday.

The DoE recently consulted stakeholders to refine the draft terms of reference for the fifth round of the green energy auction (GEA-5), the first Philippine auction dedicated to offshore wind projects.

The DoE said it will adopt “a more holistic and balanced approach” to bid evaluation, including price criteria, technical readiness, the permit progress, grid connection status, delivery timeline, and risk management.

For the offshore wind auction, only bank guarantees, irrevocable standby letters of credit, or cash will be accepted as performance securities, while surety bonds will no longer be permitted.

Developers proven at fault for delays exceeding three year will have their certification of award and the certificate of endorsement for the green energy tariff revoked. However, lenders’ “step-in rights” will be recognized, allowing them to assume project control before any revocation occurs.

Meanwhile, the DoE said it plans to publish a long-term GEA roadmap, which will outline indicative timelines and capacity targets for future auction rounds.

“The energy transition requires more than just policy, it demands implementable rules, open dialogue, and strong partnerships,” Energy Undersecretary Rowena Cristina L. Guevara said. “We are working to make the process more responsive to real project conditions and more consistent across the board.”

The offshore wind auction will offer 3,300 megawatts of capacity, with installation targeted for between 2028 and 2030. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

ATEC launches Cabuyao semiconductor plant built for Taiwan’s Panjit International

AUTOMATED TECHNOLOGY (Phil.), Inc. (ATEC) has launched a captive production line in Cabuyao, Laguna, for its Taiwan client Panjit International, Inc., the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) said.

In a social media post, PEZA said Panjit will operate the line at the Light Industry and Science Park I to manufacture electronics for the auto industry.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said in a statement that Panjit’s “strategic expansion further integrates the Philippines into the global semiconductor and automotive value chain, especially in the rapidly growing electric vehicle (EV) segment.”

ATEC, a Filipino outsourced semiconductor assembly and test provider, plays a critical role in enabling high-value manufacturing in the country, it added.

The DTI said the investment reflects the Philippines’ competitive advantage as a manufacturing hub, due to its “skilled talent, robust support infrastructure, and an enabling business environment.” — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Misdeclared shipments of onion, mackerel from China intercepted

BUREAU OF CUSTOMS

SIX CONTAINERS holding misdeclared onion and mackerel imported from China were intercepted at the ports, with the consignees possibly liable for economic sabotage, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Tuesday.

Consignees had declared the shipments from China as egg noodles, spring rolls, and dumplings.

Three of the containers held about 74 metric tons of fresh red onion valued at about P10.3 million. One container had yellow onion worth P3.82 million, and two others contained frozen mackerel valued at between P13 million and P20 million.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. cited possible violations of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, which is triggered when the value of smuggled or hoarded goods exceeds P10 million.

The consignee for two of the onion shipments was Latinx Consumer Goods Trading, while the remaining four — the one with yellow onion and three with mackerel — were consigned to Lexxa Consumer Goods Trading.

“What they are doing is putting an outer layer, thinking that our risk management system will just tag them for normal examination and will not inspect the contents,” Customs Assistant Commissioner Vincent Philip C. Maronilla told reporters.

Mr. Laurel said the newly seized onions and the illegally imported red onion found at a Manila market last month could  be connected.

The red onion flagged at the Paco Market in Manila in early June  tested positive for E. coli.

Mr. Laurel said the government has blacklisted 18 companies this year for smuggling onion and frozen fish, and added that another 59 containers from five companies were being held at Subic port pending inspection. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

PHL investment position minus $69.3B in Q1

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas main office in Manila. — BW FILE PHOTO

THE PHILIPPINES’ international investment position (IIP) was a net external liability of $69.3 billion at the end of March, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said.

The BSP reported that the net external liability widened 5.8% at the end of the period from the $65.5-billion net liability at the end of December.

A year earlier, the net external liability position had been $59.1 billion. The deficit was 17.2% wider year on year.

The IIP reflects the value and composition of a country’s financial assets and liabilities, and gauges an economy’s external exposure.

“This development was driven by a 2.7% expansion in the country’s external financial liabilities, which outpaced the 1.9% growth in the external financial assets,” the BSP said in a statement.

Outstanding external financial liabilities rose 2.7% to $326.8 billion at the end of March, compared to the end of December.

“The country’s stock of external financial liabilities rose primarily due to a 6.1% increase in other investments, climbing from $92.2 billion at end-December 2024 to $97.8 billion by end-March 2025,” it said. 

Net foreign portfolio investment rose 5.3% to $90.3 billion during the period, while net foreign direct investment was up 0.4% at $129.9 billion.

“The notable rise in other investments was attributable largely to higher net availments of foreign loans by residents, which elevated the outstanding level by 6.4% to $85.5 billion,” it added.

Nonresidents’ portfolio investments in debt securities rose 6.8% to $62.6 billion, the BSP said.

“This growth was driven by substantial net placements by nonresidents in long-term bonds issued by the National Government (NG), which were intended to support the NG’s general financing needs and other budgetary requirements,” it said. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante