A number of leading American corporations are set to announce more than $1 billion in investments in the Philippines, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said yesterday. Raimondo made the comments while on a two-day trade and investment mission to the Philippines along with executives from 22 companies, including United Airlines, Google, Visa, Mastercard, Bechtel, and … Read more
A Philippine lawmaker has called on the country’s Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to seek answers from the Singaporean government about an alleged exclusivity agreement with the promoter of pop star Taylor Swift. Swift arrived in Singapore on Tuesday and is slated to play six sold-out shows at the 55,000-seat National Stadium in Singapore from … Read more
In late January, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the Philippines flew to Vietnam to ink a number of deals on various economic and security issues. One that caught my attention was a memorandum of understanding in which Vietnam agreed to supply the Philippines with between 1.5 and 2 million metric tons of white rice at … Read more
As mandated by law, in January 2024 the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), which provides universal health insurance coverage to all Filipinos, began implementing a premium increase. Contributions are set to hit 5 percent of income on those making between 10,000 Philippine pesos ($178) and 100,000 pesos ($1,780) per month. Almost immediately, Health Secretary Ted … Read more
Advertisement The Philippine government has suspended the implementing rules and regulations of the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF), three months after it was passed into law. MIF critics welcomed the decision and urged the government to conduct more studies and consult stakeholders about it. But President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. clarified that his government is merely … Read more
ASEAN Beat | Economy | Southeast Asia Like last year, budget planners are placing a lot of faith in macroeconomic conditions remaining in the country’s favor in 2024. A view of the financial district in Manila, the capital of the Philippines. Credit: Depositphotos Advertisement Budget season is upon us, and the Philippines is among the many countries in Southeast … Read more
ASEAN Beat | Society | Southeast Asia Migrant workers and others argue that the rules, intended to eliminate human trafficking, have hampered the ability of Filipinos to travel freely. Terminal 3 of Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, Philippines. Credit: Depositphotos Advertisement The Philippine government suspended its revised travel guidelines for Filipinos going abroad after legislators, business groups, travel … Read more
Advertisement The Philippines and Australia can deepen bilateral relations and business ties by collaborating in the development of renewable energy to drive economic growth in their respective countries. Both nations are endowed with renewable energy resources and are well-placed to benefit from the energy transition. Australia is installing solar and wind generation capacity at the … Read more
A cove in Busuanga island in Palawan province, Philippines. Credit: Depositphotos Advertisement The Philippines has a new tourism slogan – one that quickly became controversial after it was exposed that a video ad promoting the rebrand contains stock photos of exotic destinations from other countries. Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco led the launch of the … Read more
Advertisement Late last month, the two houses of the Philippine Congress approved the controversial Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) bill amid persistent criticisms from opposition leaders, lawyers, economists, and civil society groups. It took the House of Representatives only 17 days to pass the MIF bill in December. Responding to the concern of labor groups, legislators … Read more