ECCP at Work

Flood control fiasco imperils Philippines’ credit rating — Fitch Ratings

The Philippine economy continues to bear the brunt of the ongoing flood control corruption scandal, Fitch Ratings said, noting that further unrest could spill over to the country’s credit rating.

ADB approves $500-million loan to support Philippines’ blue economy

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $500-million (around P29.56-billion) policy-based loan to support the development of the Philippines’ blue economy and improve the resilience of coastal communities.

Pinoys keep finances steady in Q4 – survey

Most Filipino households maintained stable finances in the fourth quarter of 2025 despite persistent price pressures and tighter credit conditions, according to global information and insights company TransUnion.

Palace: Reform bills need further study before being certified as urgent

President Ferdinand Marcos wants a comprehensive study of four new bills on electoral reforms and transparency measures in government before he decides to certify them as urgent, according to Malacañang.

DOF vows full cooperation in LOA probe and reform to protect taxpayer rights

Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go pledged the Department of Finance’s (DOF) full cooperation in the Senate’s investigation of Bureau of Internal Revenue-issued Letters of Authority (LOAs) and Mission Orders (MOs) in order to protect taxpayers’ rights.

PHL banking on PPPs to lead 2026 investment rebound — World Bank

Any rebound in Philippine investment in 2026 will depend on the government’s ability to harness public‑private partnerships (PPP), the World Bank said.

BIR roll out reforms to combat abuse of LOAs

The Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Charlie Mendoza on Thursday assured that the letters of authority (LOAs) issued by the agency will no longer be used to extort money from unsuspecting business establishments.

Farm roads seen unlocking agricultural potential of underused parts of Mindanao

The Department of Agriculture (DA) said it is pushing for an “aggressive” farm-to-market road (FMR) buildout in Mindanao to unlock the economic potential of isolated farmland.

AI adoption to mitigate impact of any slump in IT-BPM industry on broader economy — AMRO

The information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) industry must embrace artificial intelligence (AI) to mitigate any impact of an industry slowdown on the broader Philippine economy, the ASEAN+3 Macroe-conomic Research Office (AMRO) said.

ADB grants $400M loan to support PH business-focused, digital reforms

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Wednesday said it has approved a $400 million policy-based loan to support Philippine reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business and positioning the country as a competitive investment destination in Asia-Pacific.

Philippines’ October jobless rate jumps to 5%

The number of jobless Filipinos rose by about 570,000 to 2.54 million in October from a year earlier, even as overall employment increased by 460,000, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on Wednesday, underscoring persistent vulnerabilities in the labor market despite headline job gains.

FDI inflows sink to over five-year low in September

Net inflows of foreign direct investments (FDI) into the Philippines plunged to their lowest level in over five years in September, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported on Wednesday.

PHL growth limited to 5.5% till 2027—World Bank

Lower domestic investment, weak business confidence and a significant decline in foreign direct investments will cause the Philippine economy to post growth of below 5.5 percent until 2027, according to the World Bank.

Renewable project pipeline hits 120 GW — DoE

The Philippines has secured 120 gigawatts (GW) worth of committed and indicative renewable energy (RE) projects in the pipeline, boosting the country’s future energy supply, the Department of Energy (DoE) said.

Green lane legislation seen adding momentum to clean-energy transition

Legislation backing “green-lane” treatment for strategic investments will fast-track the development of clean energy projects, a member of the House of Representatives said.

PEZA-cleared investments in 11 months reach ₱207.6 billion

Investments approved within the country’s economic zones have breached the P200-billion mark in the 11-month period this year and could even reach a three-year high in investment pledges despite the “challenging” global investment climate, according to the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza).

DOF backs extension of estate tax amnesty to 2028

Finance Secretary Frederick Go expressed support to extending the estate tax amnesty until Dec. 28, 2028, saying passing the bill would help “maximize the use of idle assets and boost productivity.”

How Withholding Taxes on Foreign-Sourced Services Affect Marketing Agencies in the Philippines?

RMC 5-2024 and the digital advertising tax Philippines pose real challenges for marketing agencies relying on global ad platforms. But when you understand the rules, keep solid documentation, and tap into tax treaty relief where you can, you need not worry. You can still protect your margins, remain compliant with the BIR, and keep your clients’ confidence intact.