Business News
Customers of Manila Electric Company can expect a slight easing in their electricity bills this May after the country’s largest power distributor announced a reduction in residential electricity rates, offering much-needed relief amid the intense summer heat and continuing global energy uncertainties. Meralco said the overall rate for a typical household decreased by P0.0151 per…
The rapid rise of rooftop solar installations across the Philippines is prompting stronger calls from engineers and power industry leaders for stricter regulation and enforcement of safety standards, amid growing concerns over improperly installed systems that could threaten public safety and grid stability. The Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers of the Philippines, Inc. (IIEE) said…
Alibaba has unveiled Qwen3.6-Plus, the latest evolution of its flagship large language model series, marking a major leap in agentic AI capabilities designed for enterprise deployment and next-generation AI applications. Built to address the growing demand for autonomous AI systems, Qwen3.6-Plus moves beyond traditional chatbot-style assistance by enabling AI agents to independently perceive, reason, and…
As more Filipino households and businesses turn to rooftop solar to manage rising power costs and reduce their carbon footprint, Manila Electric Company or Meralco said it fully supports the country’s growing shift toward renewable energy — while stressing the need for safer and properly regulated solar installations. The power distributor clarified that it is…
The increasing popularity of do-it-yourself (DIY) rooftop solar systems has prompted safety concerns from industry experts, who warned that improperly installed units could pose serious risks to homes, businesses, and the power grid. Francis V. Mapile, former chairman of the Professional Regulatory Board of Electrical Engineering, stressed the importance of ensuring that rooftop solar systems…
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued a public warning against an online platform allegedly using the Shopwise brand to run an unauthorized investment operation disguised as an employment opportunity. In an advisory, the commission identified the entities “SHOPWISE.WORK” and “SHOPWISE ONLINE WORK PLATFORM,” saying the groups had been falsely presenting themselves as connected…
Photo courtesy of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has ordered banks and other supervised financial institutions to regularly review and measure the strength of their cybersecurity systems as digital financial services continue to expand. Data from the central bank earlier showed that social engineering schemes accounted for 76 percent of…
Energy firm TotalEnergies and Philippine renewable developer Nextnorth have reached financial close and started construction of a 440-megawatt peak solar power project in Ilagan City, Isabela. The project is jointly owned by TotalEnergies with a 65 percent stake and Nextnorth with 35 percent, and is targeted for completion by the end of 2027. Once operational,…
Dealers and banking representatives from Geely Motor Philippines joined more than 1,000 participants from over 100 countries at the 2026 Geely Auto International Business Partner Conference, where the company presented its long-term global expansion plans. The event gathered international partners and senior executives under Geely’s “One Geely” framework, which outlined the brand’s strategy and direction…
Visa and the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) announced a partnership to roll out Visa Direct, a real-time push-payment system designed to speed up and streamline international money transfers for retail users and businesses. The service allows BPI customers to send funds abroad directly to bank accounts, cards, and digital wallets, aiming to simplify…