A decade after the last major find, a new offshore gas discovery east of Malampaya has revived a long-running question in Philippine energy policy: how much time can domestic gas realistically buy before imports become…
Blue economy in transition: Thailand’s financing drive, Philippines’…
Thailand and the Philippines—both maritime nations deeply intertwined with ocean resources—are embarking on contrasting journeys toward blue economic development. While both face mounting pressures from climate change, coastal erosion, and overexploitation of marine assets, Thailand…
Philippines loses competitive edge among Taiwanese investors
For a brief moment this year, the Philippines had something rare in the cutthroat world of trade policy: an edge over its Southeast Asian neighbors. When U.S. President Donald Trump rolled out his first volley…
Out-tariffed, not outplayed: Why the Philippines shouldn’t fold…
When news broke that Philippine exports would face a 19% tariff entering the United States—while American goods would enter the Philippines tariff-free—it was met with understandable frustration. Social media buzzed with disbelief: "Bakit ganun? Lugi…
Philippine business leaders push 20 economic bills ahead…
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) on Tuesday urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to prioritize 20 key legislative measures in his upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA), highlighting reforms aimed at digital…
The tax that levels the field—so why are…
For once, the tax system favors the many over the few. The flat 20% levy on interest income, introduced under the Capital Market Efficiency Promotion Act (CMEPA), doesn’t punish savers—it puts an end to years…
Trading blows: The tariff war that’s hitting the…
For years, global trade was the default engine of growth. But as we pass the midpoint of 2025, it’s sputtering badly—and not because of any natural cooling. This slowdown is man-made, self-inflicted, and increasingly perilous.…
Spot market defaults driving up electricity costs, PCCI…
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the country’s largest business organization, is calling for stricter enforcement of rules in the country’s electricity spot market and greater billing transparency by power retailers. The group…
Phl credit card debt soars to 4 times…
A new report from Singapore-based fintech firm ROSHI has raised alarms about the growing credit card debt crisis in the Philippines, with consumer debt reaching levels described as "critical." According to the findings, Filipino cardholders…