Debt service burden slips to $10 billion in 9 months
Debt service burden slips to $10 billion in 9 monthsMANILA, Philippines — The country’s external debt service burden decreased by 21 percent from January to September this year compared to the same period last year, according to the latest data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. The BSP reported a lower debt service burden of $10.08 billion during the nine-month period from $12.78 billion in the same period last year, driven by lower interest payments and a significant reduction in principal payments. Of the total, interest payments slipped by 0.6 percent to $5.91 billion from $5.95 billion a year ago. The debt service burden represents the total of principal and interest payments the country makes to repay its foreign debts. Meanwhile, the debt service remained within manageable levels relative to the country’s external receipts.
Source:Philippine Star
December 22, 2025 16:06 UTC
No more audits… for now
No more audits… for nowOne truth universally acknowledged is that taxes are the lifeblood of the nation. This circular imposes a temporary suspension of all field audits and issuances of LOAs and Mission Orders (MO) starting Nov. 24, 2025. This applies to all BIR operating units involved in field audits nationwide, such as Large Taxpayers Service, Revenue Regions, Revenue District Offices, National and Regional Investigation Divisions, Assessment Divisions, VAT Audit Units and Sections, Office Audit Sections and any task force or committee authorized to conduct audits or investigations. Why this suspension mattersFrom the taxpayers’ perspective, the suspension provides a “breathing room” to review their filings for the past years and assess their potential gaps before audits resume. Notably, this is not the first time the BIR has implemented a temporary suspension of audits.
Source:Philippine Star
December 22, 2025 16:06 UTC
Borderless finance: How the new GCash Virtual US Account hopes to change the game for Filipino freelancers
Solving a long-standing problem for digital workersThe US Virtual Account in GCash is a virtual account powered by Meridian Payments US that can receive funds in US dollars. According to GCash executives, this new feature was built as a direct response to what freelancers themselves have been calling for. As the country positions itself as a global hub for remote and digital work, the role of financial technology becomes critical as an enabler of opportunity. This integration ensures that freelancers don’t just receive payments faster; they can manage, grow and maximize their income all in one place, without needing multiple platforms or extra steps. A step toward real financial inclusionThe Virtual US Account reflects a broader shift in how fintech can support Filipino workers’ growth, especially as the country pushes to expand borderless work and strengthen its global digital workforce.
Source:Philippine Star
December 22, 2025 15:37 UTC
Asian markets rally with Wall St as rate hopes rise, AI fears ease
Asian markets rally with Wall St as rate hopes rise, AI fears easeAn electronic quotation board displays 10-year government bonds, an index of long-term interest rates on the Tokyo bond market in Tokyo on December 19, 2025. HONG KONG, China — Asian markets rallied Monday and gold hit a record high as the latest round of US data boosted hopes for more interest rate cuts, while worries over AI spending also subsided. Figures last week showing US unemployment hit a four-year high in November came as a report indicated the rise in consumer prices slowed more than expected. "This labour market softening and inflation moderation strengthened Federal Reserve easing expectations for 2026," wrote IG market analyst Fabien Yip. Gold, which benefits from lower US interest rates, hit a fresh record above $4,388, while silver also struck a new peak.
Source:Philippine Star
December 22, 2025 15:37 UTC
TikToker Arshie Larga gives look at 'biggest investment' for his parents: 'Matagal na nila itong pangarap'
Filipino content creator Arshie Larga proudly gave a look at his newly completed four-storey building for his family. The TikTok personality unveiled the milestone through his social media accounts, offering followers a glimpse of its modern design and spacious interiors. But gusto ko lamang i-share sa inyo ang pinakamalaking investment ko for this year, aside from traveling and my health," Larga said in the video. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Arshie Larga (@arshiethromycin)"Nagsimula lang ‘to sa usapan namin ng parents ko about turning our current structure into a four-storey building. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Arshie Larga (@arshiethromycin)"Salamat po sa lahat ng taong patuloy na sumusuporta sa’kin.
Source:Philippine Star
December 22, 2025 15:25 UTC
Go’s breakthrough signals bigger promise on Asian Tour stage
Go’s breakthrough signals bigger promise on Asian Tour stageMANILA, Philippine — The year 2026 is shaping up to be a defining chapter in Lloyd Go’s professional career—and for all the right reasons. More than just a ticket to bigger tournaments, Go’s breakthrough represents a turning point—one that could propel him into the next level of his career. For Go, securing his Asian Tour card at the last possible moment was nothing short of transformative. The result comfortably placed him inside the Top 35 and ties, the cutoff for full Asian Tour playing privileges next season. Corpus and Chan earned their Asian Tour cards by finishing inside the Top 10 of the Asian Development Tour Order of Merit, highlighted by back-to-back victories in the Morocco leg last June.
Source:Philippine Star
December 22, 2025 15:15 UTC
Leviste: Each congressman has at least P150M in budget insertions, Cabral files show
Leviste: Each congressman has at least P150M in budget insertions, Cabral files showMANILA, Philippines — Rep. Leandro Leviste (Batangas, 1st District) claimed Monday, December 22, that each district and party-list representative has at least P150 million in budget insertions under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) each year. What the 'Cabral files' are forWhile these may sound like accusations, the lawmaker clarified that budget insertions are not inherently illegal or improper. According to the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, Cabral described an allocable as the “ceiling budget” for each engineering office. The computation, known as the “BBM parametric formula,” Leviste said, was based on several factors, including a district’s population, poverty incidence and disaster recovery capacity. Aside from a lawmaker’s allocables, Leviste claimed that a whopping P320 billion in budget insertions existed outside the formula, including submissions from members of the executive branch, private individuals, congressmen and senators.
Source:Philippine Star
December 22, 2025 14:29 UTC
Supreme Court affirms murder conviction of 3 police officers in Kian delos Santos killing
Supreme Court affirms murder conviction of 3 police officers in Kian delos Santos killingKian Delos Santos's family expresses hopes they will seek justice now that it's been a year since the teenager was killed. MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC) has affirmed the murder conviction of three police officers involved in the 2017 killing of 17-year-old student Kian Delos Santos during the anti-drug campaign under detained former President Rodrigo Duterte. The high court upheld the sentence of reclusion perpetua, which carries a prison term of 20 to 40 years. Citing witness accounts from the night of Aug. 16, 2017, the court said the incident began when police officers stopped and searched Delos Santos in Caloocan City. According to the Supreme Court, there was direct admission that Oares shot Delos Santos, although he claimed the shooting occurred during a supposed shootout.
Source:Philippine Star
December 22, 2025 13:23 UTC
Christmas care you can feel with ProtekTODO financial protection
Christmas care you can feel with ProtekTODO financial protectionMANILA, Philippines — Filipinos are known for their malasakit—always finding ways to care for their loved ones. Just like everyday essentials available in sachets, ProtekTODO makes financial protection available in small, abot-kaya prices—easy to purchase, easy to understand and easy to benefit from. Turning everyday financial protection into a gift of careFilipinos start early in preparing for Christmas. Christmas-themed and ready to hand out, ProtekTODO insurance policies offer simple yet powerful ways to ensure that your loved ones are protected against life’s uncertainties. ProtekTODO insurance policies make the intangible concept of financial protection feel as special and personal as any beautifully wrapped present under the tree.
Source:Philippine Star
December 22, 2025 10:37 UTC
Energy Secretary Garin opens MGI Visitor Center, pushes geothermal growth and environmental stewardship in the country
Energy Secretary Garin opens MGI Visitor Center, pushes geothermal growth and environmental stewardship in the countryMANILA, Philippines — Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Sharon Garin led the formal opening of Maibarara Geothermal Inc. (MGI) Visitor Center located inside the Maibarara Geothermal Power Facility (MGPF) complex in Sto. Tomas, Batangas, attended by MGI partners PetroGreen Energy Corporation (PGEC), ACEN and PNOC-Renewables Corporation (PNOC-RC). “Just this week, we have signed a MOA with the Land Bank, operationalizing the Philippine Geothermal Resource De-Risking Facility (GRDF), to address investment risks in exploration and drive the development of geothermal energy in the Philippines. The newly inaugurated facility serves as a hub for geothermal energy education, stakeholder engagement and sustainability advocacy. Editor’s Note: This press release is sponsored by PetroGreen Energy Corporation.
Source:Philippine Star
December 22, 2025 10:29 UTC
LOOK: Shin Min Ah, Kim Woo Bin wedding photos out
LOOK: Shin Min Ah, Kim Woo Bin wedding photos outSouth Korean power couple Shin Min-ah and Kim Woo-bin wed in a private ceremony on December 20, 2025 in Seoul, South Korea. MANILA, Philippines —Shin Min-ah looked every bit a radiant bride in a dreamy sweetheart wedding gown, with her groom, Kim Woo-bin, standing beside her in a classic black tuxedo. The South Korean power couple tied the knot on Saturday, December 20, in Seoul, in a star-studded ceremony attended by fellow celebrities. Their agency, AM Entertainment, released two official stills of Min-ah and Woo-bin from their wedding day. RELATED: Kim Woo Bin, Shin Min Ah marry after 10 years of dating
Source:Philippine Star
December 22, 2025 10:15 UTC
Ombudsman issues summons on Cabral’s computer and devices
Ombudsman issues summons on Cabral’s computer and devicesMANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman said that it has issued a summons for the devices of the late Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral. In a statement on Monday, December 22, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said that the Ombudsman has issued a "subpoena duces tecum" requiring "the immediate production of all computer and electronic devices" previously issued to Cabral. A subpoena duces tecum is also a summons, but the person is ordered to bring specific items relevant to the case. When asked what the Ombudsman's next steps will be if the data from the devices is found to be altered, Clavano said: "Subject the gadgets to further forensics to dig for the deleted and altered information." Cabral was found unconscious on December 19 along Kennon Road in Tuba, Benguet, shortly after parting ways with her driver.
Source:Philippine Star
December 22, 2025 10:13 UTC
675 marginalized Moro school children receive bags and rice rations
675 marginalized Moro school children receive bags and rice rationsThe pupils of the Islamic schools who received school bags on Dec. 21, 2025 are from underprivileged Moro families in agricultural enclaves in the Bangsamoro Special Geographic Area in Cotabato province. COTABATO CITY — A large group of Moro children from low-income families in two towns received school bags on Sunday, December 21, from the Office of the Vice President. The distribution was facilitated through a public service team led by a member of the 80-seat Bangsamoro Parliament. Islamic missionaries in the two towns also actively support joint peacebuilding initiatives led by local government units, BARMM agencies, and traditional Moro leaders, complementing the peace and development agenda under Malacañang’s separate agreements with the Moro National Liberation Front and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Of the 675 school children who received school bags on Sunday, more than 40 are enrolled at Norul Guidid Al-Islamie Incorporated, an Islamic school in Barangay Pedtad, Old Kaabacan.
Source:Philippine Star
December 22, 2025 09:59 UTC
Spreading the spirit of Christmas on board the Nutella Express
Spreading the spirit of Christmas on board the Nutella ExpressThe Nutella brand team, KOLs and media came together last November 21, to celebrate the holiday spirit through a Nutella Christmas Express pop-up filled with Nutella goodies and treats. MANILA, Philippines — Christmas in the Philippines is unlike anywhere else in the world. This year, Nutella brought back the warmth and wonder of meaningful giving through the Nutella Express. The Nutella Express was inspired by the quaint and lively Christmas villages abroad, where food trucks abound, and, just as a train connects people and places, the Nutella Express pop-up connected families through moments of joy, creativity and sweetness. Beyond the experience of The Nutella Express, it is where happiness and joy are spread through families, making memories that last.
Source:Philippine Star
December 22, 2025 09:25 UTC
Father of missing bride-to-be denies claims she was under financial distress
Jose de Juan, the father of missing bride-to-be Sherra de Juan, has refuted claims that his daughter was suffering from financial distress as investigations into her disappearance continue. Related Article Police say missing bride-to-be may have been under emotional, financial distress"Sa gastusin namin, kumbaga 'yung sa gamot, walang problema doon. Kaya kung talaga sa financial po, wala talaga," he said. So wala kaming gastos diyan ni piso," he said. "'Yung sa kasal naman po namin, kaya nga po pinlano namin 'yan eh.
Source:Philippine Star
December 22, 2025 07:26 UTC