BIR launches online portal for large taxpayers [GMA News Online, May 26, 2026]
Finance Secretary Frederick Go said the TP Portal would eliminate the need for taxpayers to navigate multiple systems, fragmented records, and repeated follow-ups to complete routine tax obligations.
Metrobank waives maintaining balance on eSavings accounts [The Philippine Star, May 26, 2026]
“Removing the maintaining balance requirement gives them more flexibility to manage their money, especially at a time when everyday expenses continue to rise. It allows them to keep their accounts active without pressure, use their funds when needed and still build the habit of saving at their own pace,” Metrobank consumer banking sector head Ramon del Rosario said.
US official says immunity for Pax Silica Clark hub 'taken out of context' [The Philippine Star, May 26, 2026]
Helberg's post came a week after Joshua Bingcang, president and chief executive of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, told reporters during the US official's May 18 site visit, that the Philippines had denied a US request to place the zone under American law and grant diplomatic immunity to US personnel.
From ghost sellers? Mandaue probes COA-flagged lot purchase [Cebu Daily News, May 26, 2026]
City Legal Officer Erwin Rommel Heyrosa said the AOM, which the city received two weeks ago, indicated that several individuals listed as sellers in the deed of sale had already died at the time the documents were executed.
Alsons Power transitions diesel plant into solar facility [The Philippine Star, May 26, 2026]
Alsons Power, the Alcantara Group’s power business unit, is advancing its renewable energy initiatives with the transformation of its 55-megawatt diesel power plant, Southern Philippines Power Corp. (SPPC), in Alabel, Sarangani into a 98.7-MWac solar power facility.
Impeachment raising PH risks – BMI analysts [The Manila Times, May 25, 2026]
POLITICAL instability linked to the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte could weigh on the Philippines’ outlook if tensions escalate into broader social unrest, Fitch Group unit analysts said.
Dy: 1.2M Filipinos to benefit from bill extending PRC license validity [Inquirer.Net, May 25, 2026]
Among the sectors expected to benefit most from the measure are holders of valid licenses in the following professions: 562,369 professional teachers; 156,023 nurses; 111,692 criminologists; 49,458 civil engineers; 37,393 medical technologists; 24,700 physicians; 24,066 psychometricians; 22,677 mechanical engineers; 21,110 registered electrical engineers; and 20,529 certified public accountants.
Negros workers protest denial of proposed wage hike [Inquirer Visayas, May 25, 2026]
Negros-based labor organization General Alliance of Workers Associations (GAWA) on Sunday, May 24, expressed dismay over the decision of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB)-Western Visayas to dismiss a petition seeking a wage increase for all private-sector workers in Western Visayas and Negros Occidental.
DTI moves to regulate solar panel systems [Philippine Daily Inquirer, May 25, 2026]
Frank Macula, chief of the Electrical and Electronic Products Certification Division of the DTI-BPS, said the proposal was meant to address growing concerns over the quality and safety of solar products entering the Philippine market.
Marubeni mulls bigger Philippines footprint in health, sustainability [The Philippine Star, May 25, 2026]
Japanese trading giant Marubeni Corp. is eyeing to scale up its investments in the Philippines, with plans to tap carbon credits for reforestation projects and expand into pharmaceutical distribution.
De Lima pushes expanded income tax exemption [The Manila Times, May 24, 2026]
MAMAYANG Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima has filed House Bill 9172, aiming to increase the income tax exemption ceiling for individual taxpayers from P250,000 to P480,000 yearly income.
Labor group disputes workplace happiness report [GMA News Online, May 24, 2026]
A labor group on Sunday questioned the validity of a recently published workplace happiness report by an online job search company, saying widespread labor rights violations, job insecurity, and low wages cast doubt on claims that Filipino workers are generally happy.
PH to benefit from BlackRock, IFC-backed infra credit fund [Philippine Daily Inquirer, May 24, 2026]
BlackRock Inc., the world’s largest money manager, will boost investment in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, through a multimillion-dollar credit fund backed by the International Finance Corp. (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank Group.
Health care beyond borders: Mount Elizabeth raises stake in PH [Philippine Daily Inquirer, May 24, 2026]
IHH Healthcare Singapore CEO Peter Chow tells the Inquirer during an interview in Singapore that the group has seen a notable increase in Filipino patients coming into MEHs in Singapore for specialized treatments, primarily for gastroenterology, general surgery, and medical oncology.
Bill filed to increase senior citizens’ discount as they age [ABS-CBN News, May 23, 2026]
Senior Citizens Party-list Rep. Rodolfo Ordanes introduced House Bill No. 5187, or the proposed Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, proposing a graduated increase in senior citizen discounts as beneficiaries grow older.
DTI: Advertising permit rules only draft, won’t be enforced [Inquirer.Net, May 23, 2026]
Under the draft administrative order, advertisers would have been required to submit detailed documents to the DTI describing planned advertising materials, including music, scripts, and storyboards.
House panel OKs lowering gov’t workers’ optional retirement age to 56 [Philippine News Agency, May 22, 2026]
The House Committee on Government Enterprises approved on Thursday House Bill No. 207, a measure co-authored by Rep. Tinio and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Louise Co, proposing an amendment to Section 13-A of Republic Act No. 8291 or the GSIS (Government Service Insurance System) Act of 1997, which mandates the optional retirement age among government workers at 60 years old.
Pre-need firm Danvil pays out P1.62B in claims amid closure [Philippine Daily Inquirer, May 22, 2026]
Pre-need firm Danvil Plans Inc. has paid out more than P1.62 billion in claims to over 17,000 planholders following the formal closure of its liquidation proceedings last March.
New rules make closing business easier – BIR [Philippine Daily Inquirer, May 21, 2026]
Under Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 047-2026, the BIR said the new guidelines form part of its “Ease of Closing Business” reform aimed at making tax administration more investor and business-friendly.
Honda PH to export motorcycles to Cambodia, Laos [ABS-CBN News, May 21, 2026]
The motorcycle manufacturer said it has commenced exporting its popular Click125 model to N.C.X. Co., Ltd., the exclusive assembler, manufacturer, and distributor of Honda motorcycles in both destination countries.
SEC imposes 10-year term limit for broker-directors [GMA News Online, May 21, 2026]
The corporate regulator said under its Memorandum Circular No. 17, Series of 2026, issued on May 21, a broker-director —individuals representing trading participants on an exchange board— may serve for a maximum cumulative period of 10 years, whether consecutive or intermittent, in the same exchange.
Mica Tan to creditors: No one gets paid if I’m detained [The Philippine Star, May 20, 2026]
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has indicted Maria Francesca Tan (MFT) Group of Companies Inc., Foundry Ventures I Inc. and their respective officers for their unauthorized solicitation of investments from the public, as resolved in May last year, following a case buildup by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
1% cap on power system loss charges proposed in Senate [Philippine News Agency, May 20, 2026]
Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, who filed Senate Bill No. 2131, or the proposed “System Loss Limitation Act,” said on Wednesday the measure seeks to amend Section 10 of Republic Act 7832, otherwise known as the Anti-Electricity and Electric Transmission Lines/Materials Pilferage Act of 1994.
SC says employers must first consult employees affected by work rotation scheme [ABS-CBN News, May 19, 2026]
The Supreme Court ruled that unilateral imposition of reduced workdays and worker rotation scheme amounted to constructive dismissal, as workers should have been consulted first and asked for their consent.
Valenzuela factory workers win SC case vs employers [Inquirer.Net, May 19, 2026]
An employer that reduces the workload and adopts a flexible work scheme without employee consent is tantamount to dismissing them.
More than 20 tech firms line up for PH’s planned AI city [Cebu Daily News, May 19, 2026]
More than 20 firms from the United States and the Middle East have signified interest in setting up operations within the proposed artificial intelligence (AI) hub in New Clark City, as Philippine and American officials work out the industries that will eventually occupy the 1,619-hectare development.
