Beijing said it has summoned the Philippine ambassador to China on Tuesday to lodge solemn representation over an encounter a day earlier between the two countries in the Second Thomas Shoal, according to a statement. zurl.co/nBZkw

Maya Director of Information Security Jan Martin Encina illustrates how fundamental to cyber-defense Identity and Access Management (IAM) is to any organization. #BusinessWorldCybersecuritySummit2026 #TowardStrongerDigitalDefenses

OPINION | On coal generation, BESS, ancillary services, and net metering rates By Bienvenido S. Oplas, Jr. Read: zurl.co/e0V3O

Mar Apuhin, chief information security officer at GT Capital Holdings Inc., warns that speculation and unclear guidance can fuel misinformation and erode public trust during cyberattacks. #BusinessWorldCybersecuritySummit2026 #TowardStrongerDigitalDefenses

THE PHILIPPINE Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) has tightened post-shutdown requirements for gaming system administrators (GSAs), requiring them to remain liable for unsettled player funds even after their platforms are deactivated. zurl.co/2w7Rw

Accenture Advanced Technology Centers in the Philippines’ Mafi Caringal emphasizes that effective cyber incident response depends on balancing swift action with informed decision-making. #BusinessWorldCybersecuritySummit2026 #TowardStrongerDigitalDefenses

Andy Burnham became Britain’s seventh prime minister in a decade on Monday, pledging to reshape its politics to deliver a new economic model and revive a nation “fed up” with a revolving door of leaders. zurl.co/VBkLC

GCash’s Ingrid Rose Ann Beroña emphasizes the need for rapid incident acknowledgment and fact-based communication during cyberattacks. #BusinessWorldCybersecuritySummit2026 #TowardStrongerDigitalDefenses

Gilbert T. Trinchera of R.G. Manabat & Co. (KPMG in the Philippines) calls for regulatory convergence and a unified cybersecurity operating model, saying trust must remain at the center of cybersecurity efforts. #BusinessWorldCybersecuritySummit2026 #TowardStrongerDigitalDefenses

Gilbert T. Trinchera puts cybersecurity as a growing priority, calling on organizations to assess risks and reinforce stakeholder confidence through sustained security efforts. #BusinessWorldCybersecuritySummit2026 #TowardStrongerDigitalDefenses

Luis A. Jacinto, president and founding member of the Information Security Officers Group, says agencies continue to face limits in cybercrime response, necessitating stronger collaboration across sectors. #BusinessWorldCybersecuritySummit2026 #TowardStrongerDigitalDefenses

OPINION | What real budget reform requires By Florencio B. Abad Read: zurl.co/ZXLwy

Kristoffer Rada, head of corporate affairs at Maya Philippines, Inc., highlights the need for stronger public-private collaboration to develop comprehensive policies on artificial intelligence use and against cybercrimes. #BusinessWorldCybersecuritySummit2026 #TowardStrongerDigitalDefenses

PHINMA CORP. said its education unit is exploring expansion opportunities in Davao and Cebu as it seeks to grow its education business. zurl.co/rLnFt

Cybersecurity must keep pace with technology through policies, transparency, and partnerships, according to Maya Philippines, Inc. Head of Corporate Affairs Kristoffer Rada. #BusinessWorldCybersecuritySummit2026 #TowardStrongerDigitalDefenses

The Trump administration has in recent weeks weighed cutting ties with the UN refugee agency, prompting a campaign by diplomats and UN officials to persuade the United States to maintain support. zurl.co/dCxZx

Ingrid Rose Ann Beroña, Chief Risk Officer of GCash, calls for stronger public awareness and closer collaboration as cyber threats continue to challenge digital security. #BusinessWorldCybersecuritySummit2026 #TowardStrongerDigitalDefenses

A BROWN Company, Inc. has completed its P2.3-billion investment in two wind farm projects of Alternergy Holdings Corp. in Rizal and Quezon, acquiring a 40% equity stake in each project. zurl.co/1RDhC

Information Security Officers Group President and Founding Member Engr. Luis A. Jacinto stresses the shared responsibility within an organization in responding to cyber incidents, albeit with accountability falling on executives. #BusinessWorldCybersecuritySummit2026 #TowardStrongerDigitalDefenses

OPINION | Owning what we create: IP as the creative economy’s most underused asset By Junie S. Del Mundo Read: zurl.co/vWUgF

JG Summit Holdings, Inc. Chief Information Security Officer Dennis Matthew F. Opiso urges organizations to treat cyber incidents as inevitable and calls on leaders to strengthen crisis command. #BusinessWorldCybersecuritySummit2026 #TowardStrongerDigitalDefenses

COL FINANCIAL Group, Inc. said the bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) could reach 7,500 by yearend if the market’s price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio expands to about 12 times from around nine times currently, reflecting stronger investor confidence. zurl.co/42MmY

GT Capital Holdings Inc. Chief Information Security Officer Mar Apuhin says organizations must treat cybersecurity as a long-term business commitment anchored on protecting public trust. #BusinessWorldCybersecuritySummit2026 #TowardStrongerDigitalDefenses

LBC EXPRESS Holdings Corp. said its board has authorized the company to act as continuing surety for the P1.11-billion obligations of subsidiary LBC Express, Inc. under credit facilities extended by BDO Unibank, Inc. zurl.co/S3n98

Divina Law Managing Partner Atty. Jay-R C. Ipac emphasizes that building cyber resilience starts with helping people understand the purpose behind cybersecurity measures, saying awareness and proper implementation go hand in hand. #BusinessWorldCybersecuritySummit2026 #TowardStrongerDigitalDefenses

PHILIPPINE AIRLINES (PAL) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Boeing Co. to acquire up to 20 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner aircraft as part of the flag carrier’s fleet modernization program. zurl.co/gVXIs

THE REAL Property Valuation and Assessment Reform Act (RPVARA) is expected to reduce uncertainty in property investment by standardizing land valuations and requiring regular updates, a shift analysts said could improve project planning and accelerate large-scale developments. zurl.co/j27wu

AYALA LAND, INC. and Eton Properties Philippines, Inc. are accelerating the expansion of their Parklinks joint venture, with the flagship Parklinks Mall set to open in 2027 as the mixed-use estate expands its retail, residential, and community offerings. zurl.co/sWKVb

FOR YEARS, Administrative Order No. 18 (AO 18) served as a policy gatekeeper, limiting the proclamation of new Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) zones in Metro Manila to encourage investment dispersion outside the capital. zurl.co/VYiWh

Atty. Jay-R C. Ipac, managing partner at Divina Law, says sectors must make cybersecurity a top priority as they deepen their digital transformation efforts. #BusinessWorldCybersecuritySummit2026 #TowardStrongerDigitalDefenses

LAND BANK of the Philippines (LANDBANK) will expand the rollout of an insurance solution in partnership with Cocogen Insurance, Inc. that aims to protect individuals from withdrawal robbery and other forms of fraud. zurl.co/DVIfJ

ATRAM Trust Corp. has made two of its global funds available to Personal Equity and Retirement Account (PERA) participants, widening their investment options. zurl.co/nM77o

THE PESO depreciated against the dollar on Monday to end a three-day climb as the intensifying Middle East war drove up global crude oil prices, raising fresh inflation risks. zurl.co/DsHfR

New Zealand and the Philippines have formed a comprehensive partnership, New Zealand foreign minister Winston Peters said on Tuesday. zurl.co/Y7WnP

Atty. Renato "Aboy" A. Paraiso, executive director of the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center, calls on businesses to prepare for cyberattacks amid the growing use of artificial intelligence. #BusinessWorldCybersecuritySummit2026 #TowardStrongerDigitalDefenses

THE GROWTH of digital payments in the Philippines may return to a double-digit pace this year as lower transaction costs are expected to push more consumers to use online channels, a top Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) official said. zurl.co/kBcnI

THE DEPARTMENT of Energy (DoE) urged oil companies to stagger this week’s double-digit pump price hikes, with diesel and kerosene prices expected to climb by more than P10 per liter. zurl.co/bpDoc

In the midst of challenges from looming cyber threats, opportunities abound, BusinessWorld's Lucien C. Dy Tioco notes in his welcome remarks at #BusinessWorldCybersecuritySummit2026. #TowardStrongerDigitalDefenses

TIGHTER ECONOMIC CONDITIONS dampened demand for cash last year, with the growth of banknote and coin withdrawals slowing sharply, data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed. zurl.co/cYHZ9

Welcoming attendees to #BusinessWorldCybersecuritySummit2026, BusinessWorld Executive Vice-President Lucien C. Dy Tioco highlights the summit as the culmination of BusinessWorld's campaign for a "CyberSafe Philippines." #TowardStrongerDigitalDefenses

The Philippines’ balance of payments (BoP) surplus widened to over $3 billion in June, which helped significantly narrow the BoP deficit in the first half of the year, central bank data showed. zurl.co/QwflF

PHILIPPINE COMPANIES expect to raise salaries by a median of 5.1% in 2027, slightly higher than the 5% average increase this year, as employers balance rising costs with the need to retain talent, according to a survey by advisory firm WTW Plc. zurl.co/sv5eN

THE GOVERNMENT made a full award of the short-term securities it offered on Monday with mixed yields as more supply was available, with the Treasury selling cash management bills (CMB) again after two weeks amid heightened market volatility due to fresh clashes in the Middle East. zurl.co/lZzoG

THE PHILIPPINES recorded the highest electricity rate among its Southeast Asian peers in June, as the country relied on more expensive power plants to offset supply gaps caused by plant shutdowns in the Visayas, according to the Department of Energy (DoE). zurl.co/U5hZ9

NICARAGUA’S long-serving president Daniel Ortega said the Central American country will no longer hold elections, eliminating the possibility of an electoral challenge when his term ends next year and further entrenching the rule he shares with his wife. zurl.co/g3pp1

THE PHILIPPINES might continue to struggle to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) for the remainder of 2026 as lingering geopolitical risks and domestic governance concerns keep investors cautious, analysts said. zurl.co/dIhL5

The Philippines placed 61st out of 141 jurisdictions in the 2026 edition of the Financial Secrecy Index published by the Tax Justice Network with an FSI value of 159, down from 173 last year. zurl.co/DmYPk

Here’s a quick glance at how PSEi stocks fared on Monday, July 20, 2026. zurl.co/n9mR1

PHILIPPINE SHARES rose further on Monday on optimism over companies’ second-quarter results and continued bargain hunting lifted the market despite lingering concerns over fresh geopolitical risks that have pushed up global oil prices anew. zurl.co/6msSD

THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday said a Philippine Navy serviceman was injured after members of the China Coast Guard (CCG) struck him with a wooden baton during an encounter near Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea (SCS). zurl.co/qh2Kf