Business
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Finance chief Frederick Go says PH economy remains solid, expects recovery as government spending normalizes in 2026
Newly-appointed Finance Secretary Frederick Go sought to ease public worries about the economy, saying the Philippines’ core economic fundamentals remain intact despite concerns over corruption controversies and reduced government spending in the second half of 2025. In an interview on DZRH News’…
Finance chief Frederick Go says BIR audit freeze will protect taxpayers, likens LOAs to search warrants
Newly-appointed Finance Secretary Frederick Go said the nationwide suspension of all Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) field audits is intended to protect taxpayers from arbitrary or poorly justified inspections, describing Letters of Authority (LOAs) as instruments that should meet standards…
Manila businesses show strong confidence despite national economic challenges
The City of Manila continues to see solid business activity heading into 2026, with new registrations well ahead of closures—a sign of strong confidence in the capital even as national growth forecasts are being cut back. Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso said Wednesday, November 26, that…
Former Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin denies role in alleged P52-billion budget insertions
Former Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Wednesday, November 19, rejected claims linking him to alleged insertions in the proposed 2025 national budget, denying that he ever promised to “take care” of P52 billion worth of adjustments. His rebuttal followed Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo…
Philippines facing its ‘worst economy in years’ as investor confidence deteriorates: Leviste
Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste warned on Saturday, November 15, that the Philippines is experiencing its “worst economy” in many years, pointing to a steep loss of investor confidence that he said is now dragging down growth, weakening the peso, and pushing up consumer prices. Speaking…
DPWH should get zero budget in 2026 amid ‘systemic corruption’: Rep. Leandro Leviste
Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste said on Saturday, November 15, that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) should be given no budget at all for 2026, arguing that corruption within the agency has become too entrenched to fix. During an interview on DZRH News program Special…
Isko Moreno signs ₱25 billion budget for 2026, vows focus on health, housing, education, and jobs in Manila
Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso on Monday, November 3, signed Ordinance No. 9145, approving the ₱25-billion 2026 Annual Budget of the City of Manila, with a clear focus on meeting the Minimum Basic Needs (MBN) of residents: healthcare, housing, education, and job creation. “For 2026, again…
‘Negligent, incompetent’: Why President Marcos should fire Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, according to Rep. Egay Erice
Caloocan 2nd District Rep. Edgar “Egay” Erice on Saturday, October 18, called on President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to fire Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, saying her department failed to prevent what he described as “unprecedented diversions and insertions” amounting to ₱1.45 trillion over…
Isko Moreno congratulates PLM for topping 2025 Physician Licensure Exams, vows stronger investment in health education
Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso on Friday, October 17, congratulated the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) for emerging as the top-performing school in the 2025 Physician Licensure Examination, calling it a “continuing testament to PLM’s uncompromising pursuit of excellence…
Passing 2026 DPWH budget without 25% reduction tantamount to approving kickbacks, Leandro Leviste warns
Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste warned that approving the 2026 budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) without lowering project costs by 25 percent would be tantamount to endorsing the entrenched system of kickbacks that has long plagued the agency. “Kung papayagan…
Leandro Leviste urges DPWH to cut 25% from infra budget in his district to eliminate kickbacks, build new classrooms
If it were your own money, would you knowingly spend it on overpriced projects? This was the question that Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste sought to answer as he announced plans to begin his reform push within his own district. During “The Public Works Reform Agenda Series” segment of…
BIR files ₱7.1-billion tax evasion cases vs. Discaya couple
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has filed multiple criminal complaints against Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya II, Cezarah Rowena “Sarah” Cruz Discaya, and an officer of St. Gerrard Construction Gen. Contractor & Development Corporation over an estimated ₱7.18 billion in unpaid taxes. BIR…
Isko Moreno: Taxpayer confidence has returned as Manila restores fiscal order
Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso said citizens and taxpayers have begun trusting City Hall again, crediting early gains in collection and permitting to tighter fiscal management and visible street-level governance in his first 100 days. Reopening the Electronic Business One-Stop…
Real estate market sees chilling effect from flood control scam
The luxury property market may soon feel the ripple effects of the flood control corruption scandal, as legitimate real estate investors grow wary of being associated with politicians allegedly using upscale condominium units as hiding places for billions in kickbacks. Economist and former Social…
‘Ramdam na’: Is the Philippine economy on the brink of decline?
The peso is weakening, prices are at risk of climbing, and jobs may soon be harder to find. As corruption scandals over multibillion-peso flood control projects spark widespread outrage, economist and former Social Welfare Undersecretary Prof. Emmanuel Leyco warns the Philippine economy could be…