Thanks to everyone who sent feedback and suggestions. A few of you asked for tool recommendations—apps for budgeting, staying productive, planning trips, and even AI tools. So we’re launching Peso Picks in the coming weeks, where we’ll share our favorite finds to make life a little easier (and smarter).

We also heard your request for more explainers—those bite-sized breakdowns of complicated topics that affect our wallets and daily lives. Don’t worry, we got you. Expect more of those in future issues.

Keep sharing us with your friends and fam—salamat! (copy URL here).
And as always, we’d love to hear from you—send us your feedback anytime at [email protected]
Now, on to today’s stories—let’s dive in.

The 2025 senatorial lineup is in—and it's basically a mirror of the Marcos-Duterte rift. Of the 12 senators proclaimed, five are allied with Marcos, while Go, Dela Rosa, and Marcoleta are loyal to the Duterte camp. But here’s the twist: comeback kids Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan, both from the opposition, crashed the party—despite polling low before election day. Meanwhile, Camille Villar and Imee Marcos made it in but were awkwardly snubbed by Duterte's final lineup, sparking “saan ba kayo talaga?” energy. Both gave tear-tinged speeches hinting at the toll.   Bong Go, Duterte allies, led the pack in votes, showing the former president’s influence isn’t dead yet. It’s also a family affair: Cayetanos, Villars, and Tulfos all doubled up in the Senate, proving blood is thicker than platforms. With Vice President Sara Duterte facing impeachment, this 20th Congress is more than just a legislative body—it’s a potential war zone. Expect fireworks. 

Meanwhile, Marcos needs 16 Senate votes to impeach Sara before 2028, but he’s short—and many senators are more loyal to surveys than party lines. Meanwhile, Sara is still popular, especially in Mindanao, and her father just won Davao mayor, from a prison cell. His cardboard cutout campaigned harder than BBM.

The wildcard? Newly elected liberal senators Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan. They dislike both clans, but might back impeachment to block another Duterte presidency.

Translation: the Senate isn’t just a lawmaking body anymore—it’s now a gladiator ring for dynasty warfare and I hope they reliased na hindi natin sila binuto para mag away2 lang!

PSEi: 6,465.53 ▲ +1.33 (+0.02%)
BSP Rates: 5.50% (borrowing) | 5.00% (deposit) | 6.00% (lending)

🌐 Global Markets
Bitcoin: $105,518.00 ▲ +2.4%
Gold: $3,201.72/oz ▲ -0.01%

💱 Exchange Rates (PHP per 1 unit)

🇺🇸 USD: ₱55.62
🇬🇧 GBP: ₱74.12
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🇯🇵 JPY: ₱0.3831
🇪🇺 EUR: ₱62.36
🇦🇪 AED: ₱15.09
Note: These numbers may vary slightly depending on market providers.

The Philippine Stock Exchange suspended trading for three Villar-owned companies—Vista Land, Vistamalls, and Golden MV Holdings—after they failed to submit their 2024 annual reports on time. All three have since filed requests for deadline extensions, citing delays in finalizing their audited financials. Villar’s firms weren’t alone; six other companies also got the trading freeze treatment. Still, the timing isn’t ideal—especially with PrimeWater (also Villar-owned) under scrutiny for poor service, and ongoing calls in Congress for hearings. Not a great week for the country’s richest man.

Translation: Kahit bilyonaryo, walang lusot sa late pass..

Caunan takes over OWWA amid P1.4B land deal probe. President Marcos appointed Patricia Yvonne Caunan as the new OWWA chief, replacing Arnell Ignacio, who was dismissed over a questionable P1.4-billion land deal. Caunan, previously a DMW undersecretary, vows a full audit and coordination with the Commission on Audit. Migrant group UNIFIL-Migrante urged the government to fast-track the probe and publish a full audit to ensure OFW funds are protected.

Bantay-sarado na ang pondo—dapat lang, pera ng OFWs ‘yan.

Starlink jacks up PH prices—hello, ₱3,800/month
Starlink just bumped up its residential rates in the Philippines from ₱2,700 to ₱3,800/month. Existing users get a temporary service credit, while new users pay the new price outright. Don’t like it? Refunds are on the table—but only if you move fast. (Read more)

Translation: Ang mahal na ng internet sa kalawakan.

5 Tools Every OFW Should Have

Because working abroad is tough enough—your tools shouldn’t be.

1. GCash or Maya (Philippine e-Wallet)
Let’s face it—sending money shouldn’t feel like a bank heist. GCash and Maya let you pay bills, buy load for your family, and even invest—all from abroad (with a verified account).
https://www.gcash.com | https://www.maya.ph

2. Wise (Money Transfer App)
Formerly TransferWise, this app is a global favorite for one reason: low fees + real exchange rates. Many OFWs use Wise to send money to PH bank accounts without those nasty hidden charges.
Bonus: You can also hold and convert currencies.
https://wise.com

3. Google Calendar (with PH Holidays)
Don’t miss birthdays, tuition deadlines, or when Ninong duties call. Sync Philippine holidays to your Google Calendar so you know when banks are closed or when to greet loved ones.
Life tip: Add your remittance schedule to automate money habits.
https://calendar.google.com

4. KonsultaMD or HealthNow (Telemedicine for your family)
OFWs worry most about family health. These apps let you book video consults for your family in the Philippines—some even offer 24/7 access to licensed doctors.
https://www.konsulta.md | https://www.healthnow.ph

5. Canva (for side hustles & remittance updates)
Need to create a visual budget, build a simple online store, or impress clients for your freelance gig? Canva makes you look like a pro—even if you're just starting out.
Also useful: Create image-based updates for your remittance or savings goals.
https://www.canva.com

GCash has officially crossed the ₱250-billion mark in loans, disbursing ₱253 billion to 8.7 million borrowers via GLoan, GCredit, GGives—and even microloans as low as ₱100. Its goal? Kill 5-6 lending. GCash is also booming in savings (13.2M in GSave), stocks, crypto, and insurance, with 14.6M users covered. Up next: GBonds and an AI-powered finance coach. IPO plans? Still TBA, but all eyes are on it.

The bottom line: Sa GCAsh ang utang mo ngayon ay naging legit hndi na galing sa 5-6 ni Mr. Singh, may resibo pa! yun nga lang ang hirap na magtago pag bayaran na!

MREIT gets a Batac-up plan as Kevin Tan steps up

MREIT just tapped insider Jose Arnulfo Batac as its new president and CEO, taking the reins from Kevin Tan starting June 1. Tan, who built MREIT into a 482,000 sqm leasing beast, will now focus on boardroom duties as chairman. Batac, a Megaworld vet and sustainability guy, brings estate cred and green chops to the REIT game. The baton is passed—quietly, smoothly, and still very much in the family.

Translation: Tan out front, Batac in the driver’s seat.

BSP hits pause on coin deposit machines this June

The BSP will suspend coin deposit machines (CoDMs) in select malls starting June 17 to review and improve the program. CoDMs have processed nearly ₱1.5B worth of coins since 2023. Until then, you’ve got until June 16 to unload those alkansya savings. (Read more)

Quick take: Ihulog mo na ‘yan habang pwede pa.

Insurance to coal plants: “It’s not us, it’s your carbon footprint”

Insurance companies are ghosting coal power plants, and the breakup’s getting pricey. The DOE says premiums are spiking for coal facilities—even the ones still in operation—as insurers grow allergic to fossil fuel risk. Secretary Lotilla says 7,000 MW worth of coal plants (all aged 10 or below) are struggling to get coverage. Why? Coal is now the clingy ex in a nation trying to move on. The goal: 35% renewables by 2030.

Translation: Ayaw na ni insurance sa mga maruruming ex—lalo na kung nagbubuga pa ng usok.

Sia and Tan Caktiong go big with 700-room Hotel101 along Manila Bay

Injap Sia and Tony Tan Caktiong aren’t just building hotels—they’re building an empire. Their latest flex: Hotel101-Roxas Boulevard, a 34-storey, 700-room tower rising in Pasay. Slated to break ground in late 2025, this ₱5.25B mega-project will serve “Happy Rooms” with hotel rates that surge like airline tickets. Think skyline views, coworking hubs, and convention-ready floors. It's part of their moonshot: 1M hotel rooms in 100 countries.

Quick take: From Jollibee to hotel 101 well diversified si sir Caktiong!

In 2006, Warren Buffett quietly walked into a bank, pulled out $11B worth of Berkshire stock, and sent it off—not to splurge, but to donate. That solo act kicked off his plan to give away nearly all his wealth. But the real story? Buffett’s magic was never just picking stocks—it was knowing when to pivot. He dumped cigar-butt investing for quality companies, avoided tech stocks until Apple became Berkshire’s crown jewel, and rewrote his own giving plan midlife after realizing the Gates Foundation could do it better. With a 19.9% average return across six decades, he could’ve stayed rigid. But he didn’t. “Rationality” was his real edge, and that meant constantly evolving when reality changed. It’s what made him great—and kept him great.

Translation: Hindi siya yung tipong na hoHODL, marunong kumambyo si manong Warren.

 ICC prosecutor takes leave as misconduct probe heats up

Karim Khan, chief prosecutor of the ICC, has stepped aside temporarily amid a sexual misconduct probe. Accused of unwanted touching and abuse—allegations he denies—Khan says he’s taking leave to preserve the court’s credibility. The UN is leading the investigation, but no timeline has been set for its conclusion. His deputies will run operations in the meantime. Khan remains ICC prosecutor and has no plans to resign.

Quick take: Naku! from prosecutor to defense real quick.

B.C. Pinoy wins record $80M Lotto Max, cries happy tears

Justin Simporios, a Filipino-Canadian dad from Surrey, just became Canada’s newest multi-millionaire after winning a record-breaking $80M Lotto Max jackpot. He bought the winning ticket on a burger run. His plans? Pay off family debts, help his community, and finally watch LeBron live.

Translation: Pa burger ka naman Justin! Congrats

What’s the National Budget and Why You Should Care

Let’s start with basics: the National Budget is the government’s plan for spending money in one fiscal year (January to December). For 2024, the approved budget was a whopping ₱5.768 trillion, the biggest in Philippine history. That’s roughly 22% of the country’s GDP. It's also 9.5% larger than 2023’s budget.

So who decides where the money goes?

Here’s where things get juicy: Despite official processes, budget allocations often reflect political muscle more than public need. "Pork barrel" may be illegal in name, but “congressional insertions” still exist—funds funneled to pet projects of lawmakers. In 2023, over ₱9.5 billion was flagged as questionable insertions by watchdog groups.

And let’s not forget the infamous confidential and intelligence funds (CIFs)—nearly ₱10 billion of taxpayer money this year with zero required disclosure. Yes, that includes hefty allocations to agencies with no clear security mandate.

Now let’s get practical. Why should you care?

Because if you ride a jeep, send a child to public school, visit a health center, or complain about baha, you’re already living inside the budget’s consequences. When spending leans too much toward bloated bureaucracy and not enough toward services, the result is painfully visible: dilapidated schools, underfunded hospitals, chaotic public transport.

One example: In the 2024 budget, only ₱229.6 billion went to health—roughly 4% of the total. Meanwhile, ₱1.2 trillion went to infrastructure. Roads are great, but roads don’t treat dengue.

So, the next time you hear “budget season,” don’t change the channel. Ask: where’s the money going? Who benefits? Who’s being shortchanged?

Because the budget isn’t abstract. It’s your tax. It’s your barangay. It’s your future.