BOI approves P1.56 trillion investments in 2025, misses target
BOI approves P1.56 trillion investments in 2025, misses targetIn a statement yesterday, Trade Secretary and BOI chair Cristina Roque said that the investment promotion agency approved a total of P1.56 trillion worth of investments last year, down by four percent from the record-high P1.62 trillion approved in 2024. MANILA, Philippines — Investments approved by the Board of Investments (BOI) amounted to P1.56 trillion last year, falling short of the agency’s P1.75 trillion target. The approved investments in 2025 are for 322 projects and are expected to generate 40,175 jobs nationwide. Singapore was the top source of foreign investments approved by the BOI last year with P80.37 billion worth of investments. Mass housing placed second with P241.65 billion worth of investments, while transportation and storage came in third with P230.06 billion.
Source:Philippine Star
January 04, 2026 16:39 UTC
Thankfully, some solutions
At the time, credit card companies used third-party collection agencies to harass delinquent credit card holders. “This program will help steer members away from loan sharks and other high-cost, predatory lending schemes, while promoting responsible borrowing,” he said. Under the proposed framework, the SSS will partner with participating banks and financial institutions to deliver the program through their digital platforms. The SSS will still finalize the program guidelines, systems integration, and partnerships with participating banks. Unfortunately, this practice continues and only vigorous insistence and doing the proper math can force the establishment to do the proper calculations.
Source:Philippine Star
January 04, 2026 16:39 UTC
Softer inflation seen anew in December
“While holiday spending is a definite factor in the elevated inflation print, food prices have remained stable. “Hence, I expect full-year inflation to just settle at 1.6 percent, far below the two to four percent inflation target of the central bank.”Erece said this environment supports a more accommodative monetary stance. “Despite these measures, 2026 inflation is likely to still remain within targets, barring any shocks and externalities.”UnionBank chief economist Ruben Carlo Asuncion sees even softer inflation in December, estimating headline inflation at 1.2 percent year-on-year. Jonathan Ravelas, senior adviser at professional services firm Reyes Tacandong & Co., also expects inflation to slow, placing December inflation at 1.1 percent year-on-year. “We expect 2026 inflation to average at 3.3 percent,” he said, adding that monetary easing is still likely.
Source:Philippine Star
January 04, 2026 16:39 UTC
And the winners are…
And the winners are…If 2025 were an awards night, the trophies wouldn’t all go to Wall Street. But the year’s biggest winners came from overlooked markets abroad. The Philippines slipped by 8.6 percent in US dollar terms, ending as the region’s worst USD performer. CommoditiesIn commodities, precious metals were the runaway winners in 2025. With silver and other “real assets” taking the spotlight, digital tokens failed to make this year’s winners’ circle.
Source:Philippine Star
January 04, 2026 16:39 UTC
ICI tackles gargantuan task with limited resources, powers
ICI tackles gargantuan task with limited resources, powersThat’s the blunt assessment of Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong when asked on Dec. 23, 2025 how the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), for which he served as special adviser for a mere two weeks, had been faring. On Dec. 3, Reyes confirmed what the rumor mill had been churning out that day: Singson would also quit. “He mentioned the very intense and stressful ICI work has taken its toll on his aging body,” the ICI chair said of his 77-year-old lieutenant. Day by day, it became evident that independence might not the problem for the ICI, but the lack of resources and full authority. Senators are pursuing an Independent People’s Commission, while representatives are batting for the Independent Commission Against Infrastructure Corruption.
Source:Philippine Star
January 04, 2026 16:32 UTC
Senators alarmed over US attack on Venezuela
Senators alarmed over US attack on VenezuelaMANILA, Philippines — Senators expressed alarm and caution yesterday following the United States’ surprise military extraction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, with lawmakers raising concern over the operation’s implications for international law and the safety of Filipinos in the region. For his part, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada emphasized that the Philippine government’s priority must be the thousands of overseas Filipino workers potentially caught in the middle of the unfolding political upheaval in Caracas. “Our first and foremost concern should be the well-being and safety of our kababayans who may be affected by the evolving situation in Venezuela,” Estrada said. While acknowledging the complexity of the conflict, he advised against immediate condemnation, noting the US government’s framing of the extraction as a law enforcement mission based on federal indictments. “At this point, it is premature to conclude whether international law has been violated, especially as the United States government maintains that the incident was part of a law-enforcement operation,” he said.
Source:Philippine Star
January 04, 2026 16:32 UTC
DA to include typhoon-resistant infrastructure to reduce prices
DA to include typhoon-resistant infrastructure to reduce pricesAgriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the move is part of a broader effort to stabilize supply and make chili production more predictable amid the Philippines’ volatile weather. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) is introducing typhoon-resistant farm infrastructure as part of its strategy to stabilize chili pepper prices, which often surge when heavy rains and storms damage crops. “We need to know how much we consume, how much we produce and where the gaps are,” Tiu Laurel said. Tiu Laurel said stabilizing chili output could benefit restaurants, food processors and retailers, particularly during peak demand periods like holidays. To maintain transparency, the DA has ordered weekly public updates on prices and supply starting this month, using articles and short-form videos.
Source:Philippine Star
January 04, 2026 16:32 UTC
DOF urged: Return P107 billion in PDIC funds
DOF urged: Return P107 billion in PDIC fundsCiting a Supreme Court (SC) decision that struck down the transfer, 1Sambayan said the P107.23 billion remitted to the BTr in January 2025 is not a government property but trust funds held for bank depositors, who are the rightful beneficial owners. PDIC’s P107.23 billion was transferred under the same provisions already declared void by the Supreme Court. The DOF and the National Treasury are therefore under a clear legal duty to return the funds without delay,” it said. “The P107.23 billion does not belong to the government. It added that the ruling has become final, placing the DOF and the Treasury under a clear legal obligation to immediately return the funds.
Source:Philippine Star
January 04, 2026 16:32 UTC
Scattered rains expected
Scattered rains expectedMANILA, Philippines — Filipinos returning from the holiday weekend should brace for rain today as three weather systems affect different parts of the country, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported. A shear line will affect the Visayas and the eastern section of Southern Luzon, bringing cloudy skies with scattered rains and isolated thunderstorms. Meanwhile, the northeast monsoon will continue to influence the rest of Luzon, including Metro Manila, Cagayan Valley and the Cordillera Administrative Region, with light to moderate rains expected in most areas. The rest of Luzon is forecast to have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains. Mindanao will generally have light to moderate winds with slight to moderate seas.
Source:Philippine Star
January 04, 2026 16:32 UTC
Philippines calls for restraint amid US-Venezuela conflict
Philippines calls for restraint amid US-Venezuela conflictA person flutters a national flag in Caracas on January 3, 2026, after US forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines yesterday called on the United States and Venezuela to exercise restraint following the capture of President Nicolás Maduro in a US military operation in Venezuela’s capital Caracas. In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the Philippines is closely monitoring the evolving situation in Venezuela. “The Philippines urges concerned parties to resolve disputes through peaceful means, and to exercise restraint to prevent escalation of conflict,” the DFA said. The Venezuelan government denounced the act of “extremely serious military aggression” by the US, which followed months of increasing tension.
Source:Philippine Star
January 04, 2026 16:32 UTC
Taal logs 55 earthquakes
Taal logs 55 earthquakesMANILA, Philippines — Taal Volcano in Batangas experienced intensified seismic activity with 55 volcanic earthquakes logged over the past 24 hours, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology reported. Phivolcs said its monitoring data indicate fluctuating volcanic activity over the past few days, with 25 earthquakes and six tremors on Jan. 3 and 51 earthquakes and 13 tremors on Jan. 1.
Source:Philippine Star
January 04, 2026 16:09 UTC
Omitting flowers
It’s more of an emotional reaction to a period and a milieu I happen to have some familiarity with. “Manila’s Finest” is set in a precinct of the Manila Police from 1969 to 1972, a time of great social and political turmoil. I covered murders and suicides, visited the city morgue at three in the morning and joined cops on their drives along Ermita, checking on vagrants, just like in the movie. Most of all, “Manila’s Finest” deserves and indeed demands a sequel, into the time of tokhang, when the moral choices facing the police became even starker. But as it is, at least for me, “Manila’s Finest” may indeed have been the finest of its kind this year.
Source:Philippine Star
January 04, 2026 16:09 UTC
Trump: US will run Venezuela
Trump: US will run VenezuelaVenezuelans living in Argentina celebrate at the Obelisk in Buenos Aires after US forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Trump said he was “designating people” from his Cabinet to be in charge in Venezuela but gave no further details. But Trump was surprisingly cold about expectations that Machado could become Venezuela’s new leader, saying she doesn’t have “support or respect” there. But Trump told the New York Post that “many” Cubans in Maduro’s security detail were killed. Trump has offered several justifications for the aggressive policy toward Venezuela, at times stressing illegal migration, narcotics trafficking and oil.
Source:Philippine Star
January 04, 2026 16:02 UTC
Small Laude denies husband's involvement in flood control mess linked to Edvic Yap
Small Laude denies husband's involvement in flood control mess linked to Edvic YapMANILA, Philippines — Content creator Small Laude, through the law firm Divina Law, denied any involvement of his husband, Philip Laude, in illegal activities, following recent reports linking him to a controversial joint bank account with Rep. Edvic Yap (ACT-CIS Partylist). “The joint venture was never implemented, no business operations were commenced, and no government project, pocurement, or transaction was ever pursued or undertaken. While a bank account was opened in connection with this potential venture, the law firm was established when Yap was still a private citizen. It said that the account was opened lawfully with the sole intent of exploring a private business opportunity. “Any attempt to link Mr. Laude to alleged irregularities or controversies involving public officeholders is therefore factually baseless and misleading,” it said.
Source:Philippine Star
January 04, 2026 14:32 UTC