MANILA, Philippines — The International Monetary Fund (IMF) urged the Philippine government to boost tax collection to increase revenues, which would enable greater public spending to support economic growth while accelerating debt reduction. In its latest country report, the Washington-based lender said that strengthening tax mobilization should form the backbone of the country’s medium-term fiscal […]... Keep on reading: IMF calls for higher tax collections, debt cuts

• Inquirer
• 2 gün, 18 saat, 32 dakika

MANILA, Philippines — The government has finalized the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for the new law extending the maximum land lease period for foreign investors, a reform seen to help attract more long-term investments into the Philippines. On Thursday, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Board of Investments (BOI) announced the […]... Keep on reading: Implementing rules on 99-year land lease law out

• Inquirer
• 2 gün, 18 saat, 34 dakika

MANILA, Philippines — The Marcos administration’s subsidies to government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) fell by nearly 40 percent in November as more agencies received no funding for the month. Data from the Bureau of the Treasury showed that budgetary support to state-run firms had declined by 38.9 percent to P7.47 billion in November, from P12.23 […]... Keep on reading: GOCC subsidies down 40% in November

• Inquirer
• 2 gün, 18 saat, 36 dakika

Bringing an ensemble cast in a sequel to a cult classic seems like a recipe for disaster, especially when it comes to a film like “Bar Boys.” Yet the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2025 entry is a labor of love, showing the heartbreaking reality of life and reminding viewers that the right people will have your back no matter what. Best friends Atty. Erik Vicencio (Carlo Aquino), Atty. Torran Garcia (Rocco Nacino), Atty. Chris Carlson (Enzo Pineda) and Joshua Zuñiga (Kean Cipriano) reunite 10 years after the events of the 2017 film, managing to keep their tight bond. As […]... Keep on reading: MMFF 2025 Review: ‘Bar Boys: After School’ is a heartwarming reality check

• Inquirer
• 2 gün, 18 saat, 38 dakika

MANILA, Philippines — Artificial intelligence (AI) could help crack down on corruption in the Philippines, but weak institutions and risks of misuse remain major obstacles, the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) said. In its latest Economic Policy Monitor, the state-run think tank said AI can be trained to detect illicit financial flows, identify rigged […]... Keep on reading: AI can help curb corruption

• Inquirer
• 2 gün, 18 saat, 38 dakika

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) is preparing to expand the government’s subsidized rice program to include lower-middle-income households and other population groups. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the initiative will be launched in about eight provinces between January and February next year. This will start in Pangasinan, covering the middle-income […]... Keep on reading: DA cues P20/kg rice for mid-income homes

• Inquirer
• 2 gün, 18 saat, 40 dakika

MANILA, Philippines — Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) has become a center for local tourism, as it positions Cebu as a hub linking to the country’s best beaches and top tourist destinations. In a statement, the Aboitiz-run airport announced services to Siargao and San Vicente. The newest addition is the Siquijor-Cebu route, which starts this month. […]... Keep on reading: Mactan-Cebu airport adds direct interisland flights

• Inquirer
• 2 gün, 18 saat, 42 dakika

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Energy (DOE) is rolling out rooftop solar systems with battery storage in four public health facilities in Lanao del Sur. This is meant to ensure reliable power for essential medical services. Under the project, a combined 170 kilowatt-peak (kWp) of rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity with battery storage will […]... Keep on reading: DOE to install solar power systems in Lanao del Sur hospitals

• Inquirer
• 2 gün, 18 saat, 44 dakika

MANILA, Philippines — The Anti-Red Tape Authority (Arta) has ordered that existing business permit and licensing procedures remain in place until June 30, 2026. This is intended to prevent disruptions during the 2026 renewal period. In an advisory issued this week, Arta said agencies involved in business permitting agreed to maintain the status quo […]... Keep on reading: No change to business permit rules until mid-2026

• Inquirer
• 2 gün, 18 saat, 46 dakika

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines’ rice production is expected to get a boost from the development of new rice varieties, according to the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice). To boost harvests, PhilRice said select rice varieties will be multiplied by seed growers in time for the 2027 dry season and distributed to farmers ahead of […]... Keep on reading: New rice varieties seen raising harvests by 2027

• Inquirer
• 2 gün, 18 saat, 48 dakika

The Asia-Pacific (Apac) region is expected to continuously lead other global markets in air cargo space over the next three years, driven by strong e-commerce and strategic manufacturing activities. In the latest outlook report, the Airports Council International Asia-Pacific and Middle East, it projects 4.3 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in the Apac region […]... Keep on reading: Asia-Pacific seen keeping global lead in air cargo

• Inquirer
• 2 gün, 18 saat, 50 dakika

MANILA, Philippines — Dec. 26 often passes unnoticed in the Philippines. After all, the lechon is still here, and the holiday lull has settled in. But for Christians, it’s St. Stephen’s Day, a time to reflect not just on faith, but on how we serve others. I’m reminded of this most Sundays when I take […]... Keep on reading: Faith, service and the customer: What St. Stephen can teach modern marketers

• Inquirer
• 2 gün, 18 saat, 52 dakika

MANILA, Philippines — Liquor powerhouse Emperador Inc. is seen to benefit from a rebound in the whisky business as “premiumization” and a more favorable global macro environment lifts demand. The outlook was detailed in a Dec. 23 research issued by First Metro Securities and Singapore’s DBS Bank, and written by analysts Estella Dhel Villamiel and […]... Keep on reading: Luxury economics seen to lift Emperador

• Inquirer
• 2 gün, 18 saat, 54 dakika

MANILA, Philippines — The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) has entered into a five-year partnership with South Korean intellectual property agencies to boost elemi essential oil production in Bicol. The memorandum of understanding was recently signed by the IPOPHL, Ministry of Intellectual Property of Korea (MOIP), Korea Invention Promotion Association (Kipa) and Orgullo Kan Bikol Association (OKB). This agreement covers cooperation on equipment use, sustainable harvesting and branding of elemi oil, an essential oil distilled from the resin of the Canarium luzonicum trees. The partnership, which has been underway since January 2025, involves the development and deployment of […]... Keep on reading: Bicol eyed for elemi essential oil development

• Inquirer
• 2 gün, 18 saat, 56 dakika

One of the undisputed mainstays of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) is “Shake, Rattle & Roll.” After an 11-year break from the festival, it makes a star-studded return with a tale that bridges generations in a decades-long curse haunting the family bloodline, with the chosen one forced in a desperate quest to end its reign for good.  With a 41-year history, “Shake, Rattle & Roll” centers on the horrors of Philippine mythology and how it consumes the lives of its victims. Just when we thought the anthology series had run out of stories to tell, “Evil Origins” and its […]... Keep on reading: MMFF 2025 Review: ‘Shake, Rattle & Roll Evil Origins’ bridges generations

• Inquirer
• 2 gün, 20 saat, 27 dakika

(UPDATE) FORMER Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral, who died after a fall along Kennon Road in Benguet, tested positive for the antidepressant drug citalopram, authorities confirmed. Investigators also began to look deeper into her mental health and the electronic records she left behind to gain a clearer picture of the circumstances leading to her death. Citalopram was found in Cabral’s system following an autopsy. It is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) commonly prescribed for depression and certain anxiety disorders. It works by increasing serotonin levels in the brain, helping regulate mood. Traces of the drug in Cabral’s system suggest she was under treatment for a mental health condition. Cabral was found unconscious near the Bued River on Dec. 19, at the bottom of a 20-meter cliff along Kennon. A medico-legal report by the Philippine National Police (PNP) confirmed that she sustained blunt traumatic injuries, including fractures to her head, face, rib cage, and extremities. While these injuries were consistent with a fall, authorities said the presence of citalopram is central to understanding her state of mind prior to the incident. Medication and a knife recovered from her hotel room in Baguio City are being examined to determine if the drug had any impact on her actions. CCTV footage showed Cabral arriving at the Ion Hotel with her driver, checking into her suite on the fourth floor, and leaving later in her car. The vehicle was believed to have headed toward Kennon Road. Additional video evidence is still being reviewed as part of the investigation by the PNP and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). Cabral’s driver, Ricardo Hernandez, told authorities that she asked him to leave her at the section of Kennon overlooking Bued River. Police cleared Hernandez of involvement, saying there is no evidence connecting him to the incident. Local authorities have since prohibited stopping and taking photos at the Kennon Road site, which had previously drawn motorists and curious visitors. Warning signs have been put up. A reenactment of Cabral’s last movements was conducted at the site by the PNP and other agencies. Authorities have also begun digital forensic examination of Cabral’s cellphone, computers, and office files, with cooperation from the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) and the Office of the Ombudsman. The materials include records from her tenure at the DPWH, including infrastructure project requests. Investigators hope these records will provide insight into her communications, transactions, and pressures she may have faced prior to her death. Cabral was implicated in alleged irregularities in flood control projects and infrastructure-related anomalies, including a purportedly overpriced rock netting project near the site where her body was found. Initial PNP and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) investigations suggested that her death was a suicide.

• The Manila Times
• 2 gün, 20 saat, 53 dakika