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The Philippines' balance of payments (BOP) returned to a deficit in July, reversing two consecutive months of surpluses. Renewed geopolitical tensions and the timing of large transactions impacted the country's external position. This led to a temporary decrease in gross international reserves and raised concerns about peso depreciation.
Dominion Holdings Inc. (DHI) plans to nearly ninefold its authorized capital to P30 billion to consolidate the Tampakan copper-gold project, Southeast Asia's largest undeveloped mine. This move could position DHI as the country's largest mining firm.
Philippine mining firm Benguet Corp. reported a 52.1% year-on-year jump in net income to P948.76 million for the first half, driven by higher metal prices and increased output. Revenues also rose 44.4% to P3.1 billion.
SM Prime Holdings is expanding its logistics facilities for Shopee partners, SPX Express, to meet growing e-commerce demand. A new 40,000-square-meter site in Pasig City brings their total logistics space for the partners to over 126,000 square meters, aiming to speed up deliveries within Metro Manila.
Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), the Philippines' largest power distributor, announced plans to reduce system losses and ultimately lower consumer rates through enhanced partnerships with electric cooperatives. The company anticipates billions of pesos in savings by improving current double-digit system losses to single digits.
Philippine National Bank (PNB) has extended a P1-billion credit facility to consumer finance platform BillEase, marking the Lucio Tan-led bank's entry into the growing fintech sector and supporting BillEase's expansion.
The United States anticipates record ethanol exports this year, driven by the Philippines' increasing adoption of bioethanol blends. The Southeast Asian nation, already using E20 blends, is seen as a strategic partner for US shipments.
First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos celebrated her 67th birthday with a planned sabbatical, drawing criticism from the public amid ongoing flood damage from the Southwest Monsoon across the Philippines.
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. urged Filipinos to reaffirm their commitment to protecting democracy, freedom, and national unity on Ninoy Aquino Day. He emphasized the need to confront modern challenges like disinformation and division.
Two school shootings by students in less than two months in the Philippines have prompted calls for early intervention, focusing on firearm access and robust implementation of existing child protection policies, beyond just understanding motives.
Three children, aged six and eight, drowned while swimming in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro, during an advance birthday celebration with family. Police are investigating the incident.
South Korea's new ambassador to the Philippines is recognized for his instrumental role in strengthening the bilateral strategic partnership. Philippine diplomatic sources express anticipation for his tenure during a pivotal period in bilateral relations.
An active nest of the globally endangered South Philippine Hawk-Eagle (Nisaetus pinskeri) has been documented for the first time on Leyte Island. The Philippine Eagle Foundation recorded the entire nesting cycle, marking a significant step for the species' conservation.
Orly Guteza, a former Marine, has recanted his Senate testimony, alleging that Senator Dante Marcoleta and former lawmaker Mike Defensor pressured him to fabricate allegations against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, involving him in a 'flood control issue'.
High-end, limited-edition sneakers worn by prosecution lawyer Lorna Kapunan have become a subject of online discussion during the Philippines' impeachment trial. Kapunan dismisses this as a "diversionary tactic," urging focus on the trial's core issues.
Philippine Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida urged parents to closely monitor their children's online activities following reports that extremist groups are targeting minors on online gaming platforms. He also cautioned the public against sharing violent videos that could incite copycat incidents and spread terror.
No bettors won the jackpots in the Super Lotto 6/49 and Lotto 6/42 draws on August 20. The Super Lotto 6/49 prize reached over ₱25.35 million and has been rolled over to the next draw, according to the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).
Manila Water is reinforcing proactive measures to ensure reliable and uninterrupted water services in its East Zone concession area, anticipating potential heavy rainfall during the habagat season, despite the ongoing El Niño phenomenon. The company is strengthening its infrastructure and monitoring systems to manage unexpected weather events.
The new chief of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) stated that a "functional primary care system" is essential for the long-term sustainability of the state-run insurer's continuously expanding benefit packages. This emphasis comes as dialysis treatments currently account for 15 percent or more of benefit payouts.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara visited public schools in the Negros Island Region (NIR) to assess campus safety protocols, evaluate facility conditions, and engage with students and teachers. The visit highlighted efforts to strengthen school safety measures, particularly at Bais City National High School.
The House prosecution will decide on calling Ramil Madriaga as a witness in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, based on existing evidence and remaining facts to be proven, according to counsel Benjamin Tolosa Jr.
An anti-illegal mining operation in the hinterlands of Iligan City resulted in the seizure of P13.16 million worth of heavy equipment and the arrest of three individuals, highlighting the importance of community sustainability and law enforcement.
The father of the alleged perpetrator in the Ateneo de Zamboanga University shooting incident is cooperating with authorities and has shown no culpability so far, according to the Interior Secretary. The incident resulted in the deaths of two students.
Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez filed a supplemental counter-affidavit at the Office of the Ombudsman, including the recantation of a former bodyguard, to bolster his defense against plunder charges.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) announced the arrest of one of its employees in Pasay City for allegedly using the name of NBI Director Melvin Matibag to extort money from businessmen in Mindanao. The arrested individual was a job order employee impersonating the director.
Authorities in Maguindanao del Norte, Philippines, seized approximately P7 million worth of smuggled Indonesian-made cigarettes from a truck at a checkpoint. The driver and his assistant were apprehended, and the contraband was turned over to customs. The incident highlights the ongoing issue of illegal goods trafficking in the region.
Philippine power consumers are facing significantly higher electricity bills in August, primarily driven by a sharp surge in transmission and ancillary service (AS) rates. Subscribers of the First Bukidnon Electric Cooperative (FIBECO) are among those affected.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) forecasts fair weather with isolated rains for Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon on Friday, August 21.
A 17-year-old girl died from electrocution in Calumpit, Bulacan, amid widespread flooding. Authorities are reinforcing warnings about electrical hazards in submerged areas, highlighting infrastructure vulnerabilities and disaster response challenges in the Philippines.
The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) in the Philippines has ordered its armed personnel to strictly secure firearms and ammunition, prohibiting unattended weapons in areas accessible to minors. This directive follows recent shooting incidents, reinforcing responsible gun ownership among staff.
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in the Philippines has filed a complaint against Hongsheng Gaming Technology Inc., an offshore gaming firm, for alleged tax evasion amounting to over P2.228 billion in income tax, value-added tax (VAT), and final withholding taxes from 2021 to 2023. The company is accused of underdeclaring income and failing to report correct VAT.
Concerned residents of Mindoro have submitted a position paper urging Puerto Galera to reinstate environmental user's fee exemptions for local inhabitants. The municipality faces a balancing act between tourism revenue and alleviating the financial burden on its own citizens.
In observance of Ninoy Aquino Day, a special non-working holiday on August 21, the Light Rail Transit 1 (LRT-1) has announced adjusted operating hours, impacting public transportation users.
A Philippine congressman stated that if the Vice President skips her office's budget deliberations, it would demonstrate a consistent stance of disregarding government processes. He noted similar tendencies from past instances.
The Philippines' House of Representatives intends to maintain funding for child protection and mental health support programs in its 2027 budget, a lawmaker stated following a school shooting incident in Zamboanga City. As budget deliberations proceed, representatives are emphasizing the necessity of continued investment in these critical areas.
A Philippine congressman suggests that prosecutor Lorna Kapunan is being targeted by allies of former President Duterte due to her effectiveness in direct examinations during the Vice President's impeachment trial. Representative Adiong stated that the focus on Kapunan stems from her successful witness interrogations.