Philippines gets top marks for investor relations, debt transparency

Philippines gets top marks for investor relations, debt transparency

Nyah Genelle C. De Leon
Inquirer.net
11 July 2026

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines ranked among the top performers in the latest Institute of International Finance (IIF) assessment of emerging markets, earning high marks for investor relations and debt transparency.

In its 2026 Investor Relations and Debt Transparency Report, the IIF gave the Philippines the highest Investor Relations Country Score of 49.3 out of 50, making it the top performer among 57 emerging markets and developing economies.

The score measures the breadth and quality of a country’s investor relations practices. According to the IIF, higher scores are typically associated with stronger and more stable sovereign credit ratings.

The Philippines also ranked third in debt transparency, scoring 12.3 out of 13, behind only Türkiye and Hungary. The indicator evaluates how governments disclose public debt data and policies.

Meanwhile, the country was one of only four economies to earn a perfect 4.0 score for environmental, social and governance (ESG) data and policy disclosure, alongside Hungary, Uruguay and Chile.

The strong showing across all three indicators reflects what the IIF calls a “transparency dividend.”

“When fiscal, debt, and policy information is disclosed in a timely, credible, predictable, and investor-friendly manner, investors are better able to distinguish known risks from unknown ones, shrinking the uncertainty premium embedded in borrowing costs,” the IIF said.

“This growth in the investor relations function reflects growing recognition that investor engagement and transparency are integral to sovereign debt management—a ‘must-have’ rather than ‘nice-to-have’ set of communication tools,” it added.

Commitment to transparency

In a statement on Friday, the Department of Finance (DOF) credited the country’s strong performance to its investor engagement efforts and commitment to making sovereign debt data more transparent and accessible.

“This recognition sends a strong signal that the Philippines is a credible and reliable investment destination. It reflects growing confidence in the Philippine economy and in the reforms we are pursuing,” Finance Secretary Frederick Go said.

“By strengthening investor relations through transparency, trust is built. Strong investor confidence helps the government access financing on better terms, allowing us to invest more in priority programs and services that create jobs, support businesses, and expand opportunities for Filipino families,” he added.

The report comes despite outlook downgrades from two major credit rating agencies in April.

Fitch affirmed the Philippines’ BBB rating but revised its outlook to “negative” from “stable.” S&P Global Ratings kept its BBB+ rating but lowered its outlook to “stable” from “positive.” Moody’s Ratings maintained both its Baa2 rating and stable outlook. /pai INQ

Philippines top Southeast Asia’s Best Workplaces in Technology 2026

PH firms included in Southeast Asia’s best workplaces 2026 tech list

Story by Bryan Rilloraza 
Technobaboy
10 July 2026

Out of 50 companies included in Southeast Asia’s Best Workplaces in Technology 2026, 23 are certified in the Philippines. Nine of the ten winners in the Large category are Philippine-based, showing the country’s strong presence in the region.

The rankings were based on confidential feedback from 219,262 employees across six countries, making it the largest workplace culture survey in Southeast Asia.

The Philippine IT-BPM sector continues to grow, closing 2025 with US$40 billion in export revenues and a workforce of 1.9 million. It now contributes over 8% of GDP, with projections of US$42 billion and 1.97 million jobs in 2026.

This recognition cements the Philippines as the center of Southeast Asian tech employment, with workplaces that employees would recommend to their peers. The challenge now is to sustain growth while keeping a strong workplace culture.

Top ten firms in the Large Category

1. Cisco (Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam

2. Carelon Global Solutions Philippines (Philippines)

3. Insight (Philippines, Singapore)

4. Genpact (Philippines)

 5. Visa (Philippines, Singapore)

6. Concentrix Philippines (Philippines)

7. Capital One Philippines (Philippines)

8. Cognizant (Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand)

9. Bosch Global Software Technology Company Limited (Vietnam) 

10. Lexmark Research and Development Corporation (Philippines)

Top ten firms in the Medium Category

1. Arcanys (Philippines)
2. Experian (Malaysia, Singapore)
3. Atlassian (Philippines)
4. Kollab (Philippines)
5. One CoreDev IT (Philippines)
6. Lingaro (Philippines)
7. Etrading Software Manila (Philippines)
8. CoDev (Philippines)
9. AGS Health (Philippines)
10. Full Scale Teams PH (Philippines)

Top ten firms in the Small Category

1. Tech One Global Phils., Inc. (Philippines)
2. ABPSecurite (Singapore)
3. HP Technology Vietnam Company Ltd (Vietnam)
4. Menlo Security (Singapore)
5. Cloudera (Singapore)
6. Manifest Global (Singapore)
7. RAKSUL Vietnam (Vietnam)
8. Ansarada (Vietnam)
9. HEMMERSBACH (Malaysia)
10. Karbon (Philippines)

Heart Evangelista shines at Max Mara Shanghai celebration

Heart Evangelista shines at Max Mara Shanghai celebration

GMA Lifestyle
10 July 2026

Heart Evangelista is truly living up to her reputation as a global fashion and style icon as she makes a splash at a fashion event in Asia before making her way to France for Paris Fashion Week.

While Heart is currently attending multiple fashion shows in France for Paris Fashion Week, she was already the star of the show at the Max Mara 75th anniversary celebrations held in Shanghai. In the Reel, Heart lauded Max Mara's 75-year history, noting that “they have never failed with everything that they have done.”

“It's such a vibe. It's celebrating 75 years of Max Mara…they have never failed with everything that they have done,” she said. “You can see with their archival pieces how they've touched culture. They have continued to evolve, stay classic but adapt to the times.”

Heart further emphasized her point by writing in the caption: “A collection inspired by the future, presented in a city that never stops evolving.”

Heart's presence at the 25th Max Mara anniversary celebrations was just a prelude to her actually meeting the label's current fashion director and coordinator. She recently posted multiple photos of her with designer Laura Lusuardi, writing in the caption to the post that meeting Laura Lusuardi was a lovely moment.

Aside from Laura Lusuardi, Heart has met multiple prominent names in fashion over several years. Back in February, Heart was personally invited by Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya of Thailand to attend the princess' fashion show.

Heart was also invited to the KRAAM International Symposium 2025: Hands Across Culture event in November last year. The KRAAM International Symposium is a project by Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya of Thailand to connect Thai weavers with international experts to advance traditional Kraam or indigo fabric products.

Another designer Heart frequently works with is Italian designer Giambattista Valli, who she has been working with as far back as 2023. Back then, she posted a couple of photos of her with him and wrote in the caption that there is “something exciting happening soon”. She also wrote that she had a “sweet afternoon” with the then 57-year-old ready-to-wear and haute couture designer.

PHLPost earned the Universal Postal Union’s (UPU) highest security certification

PHLPost bestowed with highest global postal security rating

Itchie G. Cabayan
Journal Online (journal.com.ph)
10 July 2026

A milestone that strengthens international confidence in Philippine mail and which signals the country’s growing compliance with global postal security standards has been achieved by the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) as it earned the Universal Postal Union’s (UPU) highest security certification.

Photo taken during the handover ceremony. From Left to Right : Atty. Kristjan Vicente T. Gargantiel, Chairman of the Board of Directors, PHLPost, CommissionerBrian Keith Hosaka, Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG), Secretary Kim Robert De Leon, Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Postmaster General Maximo C. Sta. Maria III, Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost), Universal Postal Union Representatives: Thakur Subhash Sinha, Wendy Eitan, Ariya Thongbai, and Supreme Court Spokesperson Atty. Camille Sue Mae L. Ting.

Awarded the Gold (Level A) Certification under the UPU’s S58 and S59 Security Standards, the recognition confirms that PHLPost’s systems for handling international mail, protecting postal facilities, and safeguarding the global mail supply chain now meet the highest internationally accepted security requirements, said Alvin Fidelson, PHLPost Information Officer, adding that the certification comes after years of operational improvements that culminated in a comprehensive UPU Security Review Mission conducted in Manila in November 2025.

He said that during the independent assessment, PHLPost scored 599 points, comfortably exceeding the 558-point threshold required for Gold certification and far surpassing the 434-point benchmark for Silver.

UPU Regional Office Bangkok representative Ariya Thongbai said one of the agency’s most significant achievements was eliminating the long-standing parcel backlog at the Central Mail Exchange Center (CMEC).

According to Thongbai, resolving the backlog demonstrated PHLPost’s strengthened operational discipline and its commitment to meeting international security and service standards. He also credited employees whose sustained efforts helped transform the agency’s mail processing operations ahead of the certification review.

Fidelson said that for international postal administrations, the certification provides independent assurance that mail exchanged with the Philippines is processed under globally recognized security protocols. For businesses and the public, it reflects a stronger, more secure postal system that aligns with international best practices.

PHLPost Postmaster General Maximo C. Sta. Maria III accepts the UPU S58 and S59 Gold Certification from Universal Postal Union Representatives during the hand-over ceremony held at the Sheraton Hotel in Newport, Pasay City.

Postmaster General Maximo Sta. Maria III described the recognition as a major step in PHLPost’s modernization journey, saying: “This certification reflects the hard work of every PHLPost employee and our shared commitment to providing secure, reliable, and globally competitive postal services. More importantly, it strengthens the confidence that our international partners and the Filipino public place in the Philippine postal system.”

The Gold certification was formally presented during a ceremony on July 6 at the Sheraton Manila Hotel Newport in Pasay City by UPU representatives Thakur Subhash Sinha, Wendy Eitan, and Ariya Thongbai.

Government officials, members of the PHLPost Board of Directors, and representatives from postal administrations across the Asia-Pacific region attended the ceremony in recognition of the achievement.

According to Fidelson, the certification places PHLPost among postal operators that satisfy the UPU’s highest security standards, reinforcing the Philippines’ credibility within the global postal network and supporting safer, more reliable movement of international mail as cross-border commerce and e-commerce continue to expand.

South Korea keen on investing in Luzon Economic Corridor

Philippines, South Korea scaling up economic cooperation

Aubrey Rose Inosante

Philstar Global

10 July 2026

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and South Korea are scaling up economic cooperation through strategic investments under the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC) and potential collaboration on nuclear energy, the Department of Finance (DOF) said.

Finance Secretary Frederick Go and Korean Ambassador Lee Sang-Hwa reaffirmed their commitment to expanding economic cooperation, including opportunities under the LEC.

The two countries are strengthening their economic partnership through strategic investments in high-value manufacturing, semiconductors, shipbuilding and infrastructure.

The partnership leveraged Korea’s technical expertise and the Philippines’ young workforce, the DOF said.

“These investments represent opportunities for Filipinos through better jobs, improved connectivity and more reliable services. We look forward to working closely with Korea to deliver projects that are truly responsive to the needs of the people,” Go said.

Among the investments mentioned was the expansion of the multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) manufacturing facility of Samsung Electro-Mechanics Philippines in Laguna.

MLCCs are vital components of automobiles, smartphones and other electronic devices.

Go and the Korean envoy also noted SFA Semicon’s proposed expansion investment, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ shipbuilding operations in Subic and the construction of two major railway projects that will enhance connectivity across Luzon.

The Philippines and Korea are likewise deepening maritime cooperation through HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Philippines, which is set to launch its first locally built vessel at its Subic shipyard this year.

Korea is also a key partner in the construction of the North-South Commuter Railway and the Subic-Clark-Manila-Batangas Railway, which are touted to slash travel time and cost.

Potential cooperation on nuclear energy to diversify the country’s energy mix and support long-term economic growth was also explored.

“As a trusted and enduring partner, the Republic of Korea remains committed to deepening substantive cooperation with its strategic partner, the Philippines, to build a shared future marked by mutual prosperity, resilience and sustainable growth,” Lee said.

PH athletes recently snared medals from various international events

PH harvests medals from rowing, aquatics, archery, bowling, billiards

Philippine News Agency (PNA)
July 9, 2026

Note: All photos are from Philippine Sports Commission Facebook page

MANILA – Aside from tennis' newest star Alex Eala, pole vaulter EJ Obiena, and gymnast bothers Carlos and Eldrew Yulo, a slew of Filipino athletes recently snared medals from various international events.

The Philippine youth team shone at the Asian Rowing Beach Sprint Championships in Pattaya, Thailand with three golds, one silver, and one bronze medal.

Emmanuel Pilar topped the U16 coastal men's single sculls and the double sculls with Kyle Olano; while Khayzie Caviltes and Ayonna Huerto ruled the U19 coastal women's double sculls.

Matt Jugadora pocketed silver in the U19 coastal men's single sculls, and Amelyn Pagulayan-Feiza Lenton took home the bronze in the coastal women's double sculls.

Meanwhile, 2024 Paris Olympian Joanie Delgaco snared bronze in the women’s single sculls at the 67th Internationale Ratzeburger Ruderregatta in Germany.

At the 122nd Vienna International Rowing Regatta in Austria, the Philippine team collected one gold, one silver and two bronze medals.

Edgar Ilas won in the lightweight men's single sculls while the men’s pair of Rynjie Peñaredondo and Van Maxilom clinched the silver.

Joanie Delgaco added two bronze medals to her collection -- one in the women’s single sculls and another in the women's doubles with Kristine Paraon.

In aquatics, divers Gabriella De Jesus, Gillianne Amber De Leon and Jana Rodriguez brought home a gold each from the 3rd Parisakti Diving International Competition in Jakarta, Indonesia.

De Jesus captured the gold in the platform (Group B Girls), De Leon in the platform (Group B Girls) and Jana Rodriguez in the Open platform girls.

De Jesus added a silver in the 1M springboard (Group B Girls).

Swimmers Riannah Chantelle Coleman and Jamesray Ajido, meanwhile, qualified for the Dakar Youth Olympic Games in Senegal, slated Oct. 31 to Nov. 13.

The other Filipino qualifiers are Pi Durden Wangkay and Naomi Marjorie Cesar (athletics), cyclist Maritanya Krog, and wushu artist Angel Polo.

Three more Filipinos are vying for slots in gymnastics and windsurfing, for a total of nine spots allocated to the Philippines via the universality rule.

Universality places are special entry spots in individual sports for underrepresented or developing nations even if they do not meet strict performance standards.

The Philippines finished 1-2 in the Predator PBC Indonesia International 10-Ball Open, also in Jakarta.

Three-time world champion Carlo "The Black Tiger" Biado beat Paolo Gallito, 10-9.

Biado had won the world 9-ball twice (2017 and 2025) and the world 10-ball in 2024.

Team Philippines likewise made an impact in lawn bowling as Marisa Baronda-Johnson and Jocelyn Salanap dominated at the Lion City Cup in Singapore, striking gold in ends format and silver in sets format.

The Philippine team similarly impressed at the Singapore Youth Archery Championships with a 30-medal haul -- 13-10-7 gold-silver-bronze.

Abigail Jane Lim and Mateusz Vaughn Johnson nailed three individual gold medals each to lead the Filipino achievers.

Eala made it to the fourth round of Wimbledon in London, the first Filipino to go that far in a Grand Slam since Felicisimo Ampon's quarterfinal feat in the 1953 French Open in Paris.

Obiena, who ranked world No. 2 in 2023, won at the Czesław Cybulski Memorial in Poznań, Poland and at the Raiffeisen Austrian Open in Eisenstadt.

At the 13th Senior Artistic Gymnastics Asian Championship in China, Carlos and Edriel struck gold and bronze, respectively, in floor exercise.

Obiena and Carlos Yulo, both made it to the 2020 Tokyo and 2024 Paris Olympics, with the latter snaring two golds in Paris. (PNA)

FROM PSC FACEBOOK PAGE

05 JULY 2026 - The Philippines secures its first-ever world title as e-Gilas Pilipinas finishes on top at the E-FIBA World Finals Qatar Season 4 in Doha, Qatar. A monumental milestone for Philippine esports basketball on the global stage. 🏀

They swept Türkiye in the grandfinals, 2-0, and  broke through the team's consecutive fourth-place finishes from previous years to and finally lift the championship trophy 

06 JULY 2026 - Pinay weightlifter Alexsandra Ann Diaz delivers a historic performance, claiming golds and breaking records, at the 2026 IWF World Youth Weightlifting Championships in Cali, Colombia. 

Competing in the Girls' 48kg class, the young weightlifting prodigy captured all three available gold medals while establishing new Youth World standards in the Clean & Jerk (98kg) and Total (175kg) lifts. She lifted 77kg to clinch the gold in the snatch category. 

Amazon to invest $5B digital infrastructure in the Philippines

Marcos backs Amazon’s $5-billion digital infrastructure investment in PH

Dexter Cabalza
Inquirer.net
09 July 2026

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has committed to back the plan of Amazon Web Services (AWS) Inc. to invest $5 billion or over P300 billion in the country to build digital infrastructure in the next 15 years, according to Malacañang.

During a courtesy call in Malacañang on Wednesday, Marcos and AWS officials discussed expanding the company’s presence in the country as part of the administration’s push to accelerate digital transformation and position the Philippines as a regional hub for digital infrastructure.

Palace press officer Claire Castro said AWS presented to Marcos its proposed Digital Infrastructure Investment in the Philippines, which is expected to strengthen the country’s digital transformation initiatives and create more jobs for Filipinos.

“President Marcos welcomed the proposal and pledged the government’s support for the planned investment,” she added.

According to the Presidential Communications Office, the proposed investment includes the possible establishment of an AWS Region in the Philippines, a cluster of data centers that would provide cloud computing services directly from the country.

The Philippines currently hosts an AWS Local Zone in Manila, which provides low-latency computing for selected services but depends on the parent Singapore Region and offers only a subset of AWS services.

If the proposed AWS Region in the Philippines is realized, it would be aligned with the Marcos administration’s push for digital transformation by accelerating e-government initiatives, attracting more technology and AI investments, and strengthening the country’s digital infrastructure.

It would also create high-value jobs and position the Philippines as a more competitive regional hub for digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence.

Last month, Amazon announced the launch of AWS Region in Taipei, along with plans to invest more than $5 billion to support the construction, connection, operation, and maintenance of its data centers in Taiwan. /cb