BMI hikes bank lending growth forecast for Philippines

Philstar - Oct 12, 2026

BMI, a unit of Fitch Solutions, has raised its forecast for bank lending growth in the Philippines this year but warned that higher borrowing costs and sluggish economic activity could slow credit expansion through 2027.

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Cayetano: Impeach drop is hitting a defense that can’t strike back

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MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano on Tuesday likened the prosecution’s decision to withdraw three of the four articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte to a fistfight in which one party is hit but then told not to retaliate. “Kumbaga sa suntukan, sinuntok niyo na yung defense, then sasabihin niyo, ‘To save

Quezon priest, eco-warriors complete protest march for environment

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LUCENA CITY — Catholic priest Fr. Warren Puno expressed disappointment and indignation over the government’s failure to respond adequately to the grievances of environmentalists and marginalized communities at the end of a week-long protest march from Atimonan, Quezon, to Manila on Monday. “Bakit sarado ang pintuan sa panaghoy ng mamamayan? Para kanino ba talaga ang

Conti: Drug war victims prepare mentally for ICC proceedings

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THE HAGUE -- Victims of the war on drugs are preparing mentally and physically for proceedings before the International Criminal Court (ICC) as the case against former president Rodrigo Duterte moves closer to trial, a lawyer said Tuesday.

Meralco rates rise in October amid higher generation costs

Oct 13, 2026

MANILA, Philippines —Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) customers will have to tighten their belts as their power bills rise this month due to higher power generation costs. On Tuesday, Meralco said electricity rates this October would increase by P0.3191 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to P15.0615 per kWh from P14.7424 per kWh in Sept. READ: ERC orders Meralco

Emotions run high among Duterte supporters at ICC hearing

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WESM prices rise to P7.43/kWh in September

Oct 13, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — Power prices in the country’s spot market rose again in September because of outages at generation facilities and higher consumption. The system-wide average Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) price inched up 3.1 percent to P7.43 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) from P7.21 per kWh a month ago. READ: Higher September power bills seen in