BIR: No blanket tax hike under property reform act [Philippine Daily Inquirer, May 11, 2026]
The implementation of the Real Property Valuation and Assessment Reform Act (RPVARA) will not automatically result in higher property taxes, as any change in payments will still depend on updated property valuations and local government tax policies, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) said.
Chua defends director post at Shell board [The Philippine Star, May 11, 2026]
Makati Business Club chairman Edgar Chua has defended his nomination as independent director of Shell Pilipinas Corp. as concerns over corporate governance and the independence of board nominees have been raised ahead of the oil giant’s stockholders’ meeting this week.
‘The world needs us’: PH-Indonesia nickel pact to corner global supply [Cebu Daily News, May 10, 2026]
Together, Indonesia and the Philippines account for roughly 70 to 75 percent of the world’s nickel supply.
SEC to probe Piki’s complaint vs ABS-CBN execs [The Philippine Star, May 9, 2026]
In a complaint filed with the SEC on May 6, 2026, Piki has asked the commission to audit ABS-CBN and investigate its top management, led by its chairman Martin “Mark” Lopez for allegedly “squandering tens of billions of pesos of the losing media company’s resources” as well as for violations of the Revised Corporation Code and the Securities Regulation Code.”
Balisacan open to tax relief, wage adjustments [The Philippine Star, May 8, 2026]
Asked about a proposal to raise the income tax deduction threshold to P400,000 from P230,000, DepDev Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said such a move would increase the purchasing power of workers, particularly those from lower income groups.
Marcos: ASEAN leaders fully agree on creating maritime center in PH [Philippine News Agency, May 8, 2026]
LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday said leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have reached a broad consensus supporting the establishment of an ASEAN Maritime Center in the Philippines.
DOE sues Leviste, solar firm over microgrid franchise [The Philippine Star, May 7, 2026]
Energy Secretary Sharon Garin filed the complaint-affidavit on Wednesday, May 6, at the Department of Justice. She alleged that Leviste's Solar Para sa Bayan Corp. and its officers “knowingly and willfully neglected, failed, or omitted” to perform obligations under Republic Act 11357, the 2019 law granting the company a 25-year nonexclusive legislative franchise.
Filipino nurses in Italy get 2-year work extension amid shortage [Inquirer.Net, May 7, 2026]
“The Health Minister also confirmed the extension of the work validity for Filipino nurses currently employed in Italy for an additional two (2) years, from 2027 to 2029. They were allowed to work in Italy during the COVID pandemic on an exceptional basis without going through stringent requirements, but their contracts were set to expire on 31 December 2027,” the embassy stated.
Philippine manufacturers ‘squeezed’ as costs soar, demand falls [Philippine Daily Inquirer, May 7, 2026]
In a statement, the Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) said businesses were now grappling with rising fuel, electricity, freight, and raw material costs at the same time that higher prices are weakening household purchasing power.
P400,000 income tax exemption sought to raise take-home pay [The Philippine Star, May 6, 2026]
“The middle class has been the lifeblood of the local economy, driving domestic consumption and contributing significantly to government revenue,” Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said in a statement Tuesday, May 5.
Faculty groups reject CHED's proposed GE overhaul, warn of staff displacement [The Philippine Star, May 6, 2026]
The criticism came at a CHED public hearing on its draft curriculum that would cut mandatory GE to just 18 units — down from the current 36 — folding philosophy, ethics, literature and history into five broader skills-based courses.
