PHILIPPINE gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 5.6% in 2024, below the government’s 6-6.5% growth target for the year. — PHILIPPINE STAR/RYAN BALDEMORTHE PHILIPPINE ECONOMY expanded by a weaker-than-expected 5.2% in the fourth quarter, bringing full-year growth to below the government’s target amid subdued consumption

Applicants look for work at a job fair in Manila. — PHILIPPINE STAR/EDD GUMBANTHE PHILIPPINES has secured a $500-million policy-based loan from the Asian Development Act (ADB) that will fund the government’s labor market programs and reforms aimed at boosting job creation.The Business and Employment

BANGKO SENTRAL NG PILIPINASBy Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson, ReporterTHE BANGKO SENTRAL ng Pilipinas (BSP) could continue its easing cycle despite the US Federal Reserve’s policy pause, analysts said, but flagged the need for caution.“Despite the Fed’s pause, we anticipate a 25-basis-point (bp) policy rate

BW FILE PHOTOTHE PESO-DOLLAR exchange rate could breach the government’s assumptions from this year to 2026 amid expectations of slower rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said.“The exchange rate could settle slightly above the Development Budget Coordination Committee’s

BW FILE PHOTOBy John Victor D. Ordoñez, ReporterA RECENTLY passed bill that will cut the tax on stock transactions to 0.1% from 0.6% is expected to make the Philippine stock market more appealing to investors, according to economists, who also cited the need for the

JGSPETROCHEM.COMGOKONGWEI-LED JG Summit Holdings, Inc. said its petrochemicals unit, JG Summit Olefins Corp. (JGSOC), is now on an indefinite commercial shutdown amid “unfavorable global market conditions.”“Given persisting unfavorable market conditions in the global petrochemical industry, JGSOC is now on an indefinite commercial shutdown,” JG Summit

FOLLOWING the release of a controversial teaser for director Darryl Yap’s upcoming film The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) has released a statement clarifying that the film is not under review due to “incomplete requirements.”Mr. Yap was

RANDOLPH T. ESTRELLADO By Sheldeen Joy Talavera, ReporterWEST ZONE concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. is leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance its water supply services by addressing pipe leaks, its chief operating officer (COO) said.“One of our top priorities this year is to further reduce

STUDIO KAMUSTA launch party.STUDIO CANTERO, a brand storytelling and production studio, announced its new name on Jan. 22. Studio Kamusta is now an expanded version, its new name signifying a broader reach helping brands tell their stories better and with empathy, said co-founder Gabby Cantero

BW FILE PHOTOTERM DEPOSIT yields inched lower on Thursday on expectations of further rate cuts by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) following slower-than-expected Philippine gross domestic product (GDP) growth in 2024.The central bank’s term deposit facility (TDF) fetched bids amounting to P250.399 billion on

PHILIPPINE STAR/MICHAEL VARCASBy Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio, ReporterA HOUSE of Representatives committee may start discussing proposals seeking to provide media company ABS-CBN Corp. with a fresh 25-year franchise by next week, a congressman said on Thursday.Parañaque Rep. Gus S. Tambunting, who heads the House legislative

By Brontë H. Lacsamana, ReporterMovie ReviewA Real PainDirected by Jesse EisenbergAN UNDERRATED gem from the many great films 2024 had to offer is Jesse Eisenberg’s A Real Pain, a frenetic but sincere look at a mismatched friendship between cousins. It’s a film that questions our