Seoul sharpens SE Asia focus amid tiff with Beijing

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Associate Editor SEOUL -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in is visiting Manila to attend the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations...

Fitch lowers PHL GDP forecast

FITCH RATINGS lowered its gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast for the Philippines to 6.5% this year, from 6.9% previously, citing continued inflationary pressures due to high prices of food and other commodities.

PEZA approves P61.6-B investments as of August

THE PHILIPPINE Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) has so far approved P61.62 billion worth of investment pledges in the first eight months, representing only 30% of the agency’s target for the year.

Lenders face higher asset quality risks — Fitch

PHILIPPINE BANKS are facing increasing asset quality risks amid high interest rates, but any deterioration will likely be manageable, Fitch Ratings said on Monday. “Banks’...

PHL to fast-track implementation of China-funded projects

THE Philippine government assured China on the speedy rollout of grant-funded projects during their meeting in Beijing this week, with the focus on two major railways in Luzon.

Lower rice tariffs to bring down retail prices as early as July

THE GOVERNMENT’S move to slash tariffs on imported rice could bring down average retail prices by P6-P7 per kilo as early as July, the...

Job quality likely to worsen amid soaring inflation — economists

THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT rate in the country may continue to deteriorate in the coming months as workers may demand higher salaries in response to rising prices, economists said.

Duterte approves inclusion of nuclear power in Philippine energy mix

MANILA - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has signed an executive order to include nuclear power in the country's energy mix, as authorities prepare for the phasing...

Wider Middle East conflict may send oil prices skyrocketing, say analysts

By Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson, Reporter A WIDER CONFLICT in the Middle East could send global oil prices skyrocketing, adding to concerns over inflation,...

BSP to take measured policy steps — S&P

THE PHILIPPINE ECONOMY is not overheating, but this does not mean the central bank will dial back the cumulative 175-basis-point interest rate hike it fired off last year to ease inflation pressures.

General tax amnesty awaits plenary action in the Senate

SENATOR Juan Edgardo M. Angara, chairman of the Senate Ways and Means committee, on Tuesday submitted a general tax amnesty bill for plenary action.

Firms told to inform SEC if they cannot file annual reports

PUBLICLY listed companies and those with registered securities should inform the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) this week if they are having difficulty in filing the 2019 annual reports and 2020 first-quarter reports.