ECCP at Work

Auto industry balks at proposed 75% excise tax on luxury cars

A PROPOSED 75% excise tax on luxury vehicles could further dampen automotive sales, industry groups warned, even as the government expects the measure to generate P1.65 billion in additional revenues.

BMI cuts Philippine growth forecasts after Q3 slowdown

THE PHILIPPINES may find it harder to achieve its growth targets as heated inflation bites into Filipinos’ purchasing power and dampens household consumption until next year, Fitch Solutions unit BMI said.

FDI net inflows hit 7-month high in August

NET INFLOWS of foreign direct investments (FDI) to the Philippines jumped by nearly 25% to a seven-month high in August as foreign investors continued to channel capital into local industries, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) data showed.

Peso slides as hot US inflation bolsters Fed hike calls

THE PESO weakened against the dollar on Wednesday, sliding back to the P63 level, as faster-than-expected US consumer inflation data revived bets of another rate hike by the US Federal Reserve this year.

DoE revives coal auction, eyes award in 2027

THE DEPARTMENT of Energy (DoE) has relaunched the bidding for coal mining rights, including a site in Antique considered the country’s largest, despite mounting concerns over the auction.

DoE pushes for integrated EV ecosystem within ASEAN region

THE Department of Energy (DoE) said more integration is needed within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)  to bolster the region’s electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem and reinforce its clean-energy efforts.

Cebu Pacific expects seven aircraft deliveries in 2027

BUDGET CARRIER Cebu Pacific expects to take delivery of seven narrowbody aircraft in 2027 as it expands its fleet to meet growing passenger demand despite economic headwinds.

PAL resumes Manila-Chicago flights after 38 years

PHILIPPINE AIRLINES (PAL) has resumed nonstop flights between Manila and Chicago after 38 years, expanding its North American network with a three-times-weekly service to the United States Midwest.

PHL nickel resources sufficient to support ‘two or three’ processors

THE Board of Investments (BoI) cautioned against having too many mineral processing projects, saying that the nickel industry can probably support “two or three” processing plants given their current production levels.

ASEAN+3 opens rapid financing facility under currency swap pact

MEMBERS of the Association Southeast Asian Nations Plus Three (ASEAN+3) facing urgent liquidity needs amid external shocks can now tap a new funding facility under the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralization (CMIM) agreement.

DENR wants community access to climate funds to be more direct

DEPARTMENT of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Juan Miguel T. Cuna said more climate finance needs to take the form of grants and be directly accessible by vulnerable communities.

BoI confident of exceeding P1-T investment goal

“The expectation is that we will hit the P1-trillion target, and we are working to exceed it,” Trade Undersecretary and BoI Managing Head Ceferino S. Rodolfo told reporters on Tuesday on the sidelines of the Fourth ASEAN Investment Forum.

Philippines lags Asia-Pacific in digital, AI ranking

THE PHILIPPINES rose three spots to 53rd in an annual ranking of digital and artificial intelligence (AI) competitiveness, but was among the lowest-placed in the Asia-Pacific, according to the IMD World Competitiveness Center (WCC).

Government targets release of RACE guidelines this year

THE GOVERNMENT is still pushing to release the joint administrative order (JAO) for the Revitalizing the Automotive Industry for Competitiveness Enhancement (RACE) program this year, the Board of Investments (BoI) said.

Proposed front-of-pack labels may raise manufacturers’ expenses

Philippine manufacturers are pushing back against the proposed front-of-pack label (FOPL) policy due to potential compliance and production costs, despite rising health concerns, according to a nutrition expert.

Lawmakers question US role in Pax Silica zone

LAWMAKERS questioned the extent of US involvement in the proposed Pax Silica economic security zone, seeking assurances that Philippine laws and jurisdiction would remain in force throughout the 4,000-acre site.

BIR probes taxpayer data exposure

THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) said some taxpayer profile information may have been exposed following cybersecurity incidents reported last week, although the agency maintained that tax filing and payment records were not compromised.

GSIS solar loans exceed P10B

THE Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has released P10.18 billion under its Ginhawa Solar Energy Loan program as demand for residential solar installations continued to grow.

Indonesia wealth fund invests in Vena’s 2.8-GW renewable portfolio

INDONESIA Investment Authority (INA), the country’s sovereign wealth fund, has invested in a 2.8-gigawatt (GW) portfolio of renewable energy projects in the Philippines and Indonesia owned by Singapore-based Vena Global Group Pte. Ltd.

Trump at last day of ASEAN Summit

US PRESIDENT Donald J. Trump will attend the final day of the 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Manila on Nov. 17, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

PH standing up for rights in WPS, not looking for fight – DND chief

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. clarified that the country is not picking fights or seeking confrontation when it stands up for its rights in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

SWS: Awareness of ASEAN high among Filipino adults; net trust rating 'moderate'

At least 91% of Filipino adults are aware of the regional organization of countries, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), but the net trust is classified as moderate at +25, according to the Third Quarter 2026 Social Weather Survey released on Wednesday.

Merchants can scan unified digital PWD cards for verification —NCDA 

The National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) said that merchants can scan the newly established unified digital ID to verify its authenticity. However, it stressed that a presumption of regularity should still apply to persons with disabilities (PWD).