BIR pauses seal badge rule for online sellers, creators [The Philippine Star, October 26, 2026]
Under Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 113-2026 issued Monday, October 26, taxpayers who have already secured their badges may opt to continue displaying them on their online platforms.
Govt urged to subsidize homebuyers [The Manila Times, October 26, 2026]
The Chamber of Real Estate and Builders’ Associations Inc. (CREBA) is proposing an interest subsidy program through the Home Development Mutual Fund, or Pag-IBIG Fund, alongside changes to balanced housing requirements and regulations governing preselling proceeds.
Outsource Philippine visas? Ombudsman call draws DFA defense of mandate [The Philippine Star, October 26, 2026]
Remulla argued that using a third-party provider would establish a uniform international standard for processing applications and screening tourists and business travelers.
$34.1M US grant for ube industry to benefit 12k Pinoy farmers — DA [GMA News Online, October 25, 2026]
According to the DA, the project will be implemented by US-based nonprofit TechnoServe, which is expected to provide technical expertise to support the ube industry’s development.
SSS makes first overseas investment [Philippine Daily Inquirer, October 24, 2026]
The Social Security System (SSS) has made its first foreign investment after putting $200,000 in US government Treasuries, with newly appointed President and CEO Victor Limlingan planning to raise the pension fund’s offshore allocation to as much as 5 percent of its investment reserve fund (IRF) by 2027.
DOLE sets compensation rules for heat-related illnesses [Daily Tribune, October 24, 2026]
Labor Secretary Francis N. Tolentino signed Labor Advisory No. 19, Series of 2026, on October 23, outlining guidelines for the prevention, documentation and reporting of occupational heat-related illnesses, as well as the filing and evaluation of employees' compensation claims.
SBMA, Subic EnerZone extend power pact for 25 years [Inquirer.Net, October 24, 2026]
AboitizPower-led Subic EnerZone Corporation has renewed its power distribution partnership with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, extending its management of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone’s power distribution system for another 25 years.
DOF, JBIC forge 3-year infrastructure partnership [Inquirer.Net, October 24, 2026]
The Department of Finance (DOF) and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) have signed a cooperation deal to support infrastructure development programs across various sectors.
Chiz Escudero bill seeks tax exemption for shared residential spaces [Philippine Daily Inquirer, October 23, 2026]
Under SB 2569, all portions of a residential condominium or subdivision project that are duly designated or recognized as common areas would be exempt from RPT, provided they are not used for commercial or income-generating activities.
P40-P45 wage hike approved in Region 6, Negros Occidental [The Manila Times, October 23, 2026]
RTWPB-6 chairman Sixto Rodriguez Jr. confirmed to The Manila Times on Friday, Oct. 23, that the board approved a new wage order on Oct. 21, which will cover workers in Western Visayas, including Negros Occidental and Bacolod City.
PHL exports coconuts to Liberia [BusinessMirror, October 23, 2026]
Davao City-based Abante Agri-Products Philippines Inc. shipped approximately 50 metric tons (MT) of whole young coconuts to Monrovia, Liberia, using two 40-foot refrigerated containers. Each container held 16,000 coconuts distributed across 800 sacks (20 pieces per sack), carrying a combined free-on-board (FOB) value of $22,400.
Ely Buendia, Offshore execs open Asian comfort food Makati restaurant [The Philippine Star, October 23, 2026]
Musicians Ely Buendia, Audry Dionisio and Pat Sarabia — the minds behind Offshore Records — took over what used to be Thai Mookata, which past customers will have known for its Thai hot pot and grill concept.
SC recognizes BIR efforts in eNotarization rollout [Inquirer.Net, October 23, 2026]
Through coordination with the SC’s Office of the Bar Confidant–Interim Electronic Notary Services (OBC-IENS), the BIR helped establish the process through which electronic notaries public can fulfill their DST obligations using the eDST system.
DOF eyes general tax amnesty bill by year-end [Inquirer.Net, October 22, 2026]
The general tax amnesty has long been part of the DOF’s revenue-raising proposals. However, former President Rodrigo Duterte partially vetoed a law in 2019 that granted tax amnesty to taxpayers who failed to pay the correct taxes for 2017 and prior years.
Taxpayers can’t get back P467B flagged by Supreme Court [Philippine Daily Inquirer, October 22, 2026]
Supreme Court spokesperson Camille Ting said on Wednesday that funds spent on irreversible programs whose beneficiaries acted in good faith would remain valid under the doctrine of operative fact.
Court allows labor groups to join wage hike legal tussle [The Manila Times, October 22, 2026]
THE Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 152 ruled on Tuesday that labor groups can intervene in the legal battle over Metro Manila’s P85 minimum wage hike, but said the suspension of the implementation of the increase remains.
BIR, experts back review of bank secrecy laws [The Philippine Star, October 21, 2026]
Mendoza said the restrictions make it difficult for the BIR to independently verify whether taxpayers have accurately declared their taxable income, even with the agency’s broad investigative and assessment powers.
MediCard PH sees single-digit growth in claims costs per member in 2026 [GMA News Online, October 21, 2026]
According to MediCard Philippines president and chief executive officer Julian Mengual, the company expects slower growth in healthcare benefits and claims this year as it focuses on preventive healthcare.
More MROs coming to Clark airport, says BCDA [Philippine Daily Inquirer, October 21, 2026]
Lufthansa Technik Philippines will not be the last maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) provider to set up shop at Clark International Airport, as the government is eyeing an agreement with another European company as early as November.
DOLE: Heat index of 40C may be used as reason not to go to work [GMA News Online, October 20, 2026]
The heat index in urban areas, such as Metro Manila, is forecast to reach 50 degrees Celsius during the course of Super El Niño, the Climate Change Commission (CCC) earlier said.
No more premium payments for PWDs under new PhilHealth policy [GMA News Online, October 20, 2026]
Under PhilHealth Circular No. 2026‑0017, qualified PWDs are automatically covered under the national health insurance program.
Public can now notarize documents online through digital platform [GMA News Online, October 20, 2026]
Developed by Qlegal, a brand of Quanby Solutions Inc., NotarioPH is designed to make notarization more accessible to individuals and businesses. Quanby Solutions is an accredited Electronic Notary Facility authorized by the Supreme Court.
Supreme Court: COA audit not needed for Ombudsman to probe officials [GMA News Online, October 20, 2026]
The case originated from four administrative complaints filed before the Ombudsman following a COA special audit into P966 million in allocated development funds intended for electrification, healthcare, education, and infrastructure projects in Palawan.
Pag-IBIG expanding home loan subsidies amid property slump [GMA News Online, October 20, 2026]
Pag-IBIG Fund is broadening home loan subsidies with promotional interest rates to stimulate buyer demand as the Philippine residential property sector grapples with a prolonged downturn that is expected to stretch into late 2027.
No minimum wage exemption applications yet in Central Visayas [Cebu Daily News, October 20, 2026]
Small businesses seeking exemption from Central Visayas’ new minimum wage rates have yet to complete their applications, the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-7 (RTWPB-7) said, as employers face requirements to qualify for relief from the mandated pay increase.
Taiwanese firm setting up solar float manufacturing facilities in Pampanga, Batangas [Philippine Daily Inquirer, October 20, 2026]
Taiwanese solar float manufacturer Suntoward Tech Philippine Inc. will begin production in Pampanga in the first quarter of 2027, establishing its Philippine manufacturing presence through facilities leased from AyalaLand Logistics Holdings Corp. (ALLHC).
Razon’s energy housecleaning: Prime Oil eyes MOREI’s 30% West PH Sea gas stake [Bilyonaryo, October 20, 2026]
Trilyonaryo Enrique Razon Jr. is consolidating his energy interests, with his Prime Oil & Gas Inc. offering to acquire a 30% stake in a natural gas exploration block in the West Philippine Sea from another company within his business group.
Baguio opens new nature sanctuary [Daily Tribune, October 19, 2026]
The Baguio Arboretum officially opened to the public on October 19, 2026. It is a specialized botanical garden or living museum focused on the cultivation, study and display of a diverse collection of trees, shrubs and woody plants.
Manila court convicts businessman over Canada waste importation [Inquirer.Net, October 19, 2026]
In a statement, the DOJ said the business owner aided in the importation of hazardous waste contained in 10 shipping containers that arrived at the Port of Manila in June 2013.
BCDA unveils multibillion-peso redevelopment of Baguio's Camp John Hay [GMA News Online, October 19, 2026]
The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) is pursuing a multibillion-peso redevelopment of Camp John Hay in Baguio City, seeking more private-sector partnerships to improve the former American military base.
