Good morning.

PesoWeekly is slowly becoming more than a news brief. Soon, we will add useful daily finds: job boards with real openings from checked companies, upcoming events in your cities, and and trusted local discoveries, from restaurants to hotels and best carinderias. For local picks, our researchers will choose based on strong reviews, real value, and what Filipino readers can actually use, enjoy, or visit.

Same sharp news, plus more things you can actually use every day. As we grow, we also plan to hire more researchers to make these sections better. If you believe in what we’re building, please support us by sharing PesoWeekly with your friends and loved ones, and asking them to subscribe for free.

Stay Sharp.

Big picture: The Philippines is trying to turn its energy problem into a green investment story. Finance Secretary Frederick Go met Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners to speed up the 901-megawatt San Miguel Bay Offshore Wind Power Project in Camarines Sur, which is expected to become the country’s and Southeast Asia’s first offshore wind farm.

Why it matters: The push comes as high power prices, imported fuel dependence, and a national energy emergency make renewables more urgent. Solar is already moving fast, with over 4,000 megawatts of Chinese solar panels entering the Philippines from January to April 2026.

The catch: Big clean-energy projects still face permitting, environmental, and community concerns.

Bottom line: The Philippines has the demand. Now it needs execution.

The DTI urged MSMEs to tap government programs and overseas trade networks to expand exports. Secretary Cristina Roque cited 15.4% export growth last year and highlighted the Tatak Pinoy Law as a key driver. She encouraged businesses, especially in agriculture, to seize global opportunities with DTI support.

Visayas Grid Placed on Yellow Alert

The Visayas Grid was placed on yellow alert from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on June 28 after 974.8 MW became unavailable due to 32 power plants on forced outage and 14 operating at reduced capacity. NGCP cited unavailable major coal plants and high evening demand as key factors.

PH Joins US-Led AI Supply Chain Alliance

The Philippines joined 34 economies in the US-led Pax Silica alliance, committing to pro-innovation AI policies and stronger technology supply chains. Members pledged to boost AI, semiconductors, critical minerals, and research, while the Philippines advances a 1,600-hectare New Clark industrial hub under the partnership.

BIR Ends Double VAT Audits

The BIR abolished dedicated VAT audit units, adopting a single-instance audit system where taxpayers receive only one electronic Letter of Authority per taxable year covering all tax types, including VAT. The reform aims to eliminate duplicate audits, improve transparency, and address complaints over irregular tax examinations.

Jia De Guzman, Bella Belen, Bryan Bagunas, and Marck Espejo lead the 22-player Alas pools for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games under returning national team coaches. (Read more)

Matteo Earns Harvard Leadership Milestone

Matteo Guidicelli completed Harvard Business School’s six-month Program for Leadership Development, thanking wife Sarah Geronimo and family while celebrating another academic achievement alongside his work in business, entertainment, and public service. (Read More)

Taylor-Travis Wedding Rumors Explode

Wedding speculation surrounding Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce intensified after reports of Madison Square Garden plans and rumored performances by Stevie Nicks and Tim McGraw, though neither has confirmed a wedding date. (Read More)

A children's book featuring fictional Filipina astronaut Tala is now available in the six official UN languages, introducing young readers worldwide to space law, diplomacy, and peaceful space exploration. (Read more)

NASA is testing an AI medical assistant to help astronauts diagnose and treat illnesses during deep-space missions, providing offline support when communication with doctors on Earth is delayed.  (Read more)

A YouTuber used AI-powered smart glasses to solve a Korean college entrance math test in 18 minutes, prompting schools to tighten exam security over cheating concerns.  (Read more)

A humanoid robot now operates a 24-hour convenience store in Hong Kong, handling stocking, payments, and customer service as part of a pilot for AI-powered retail automation. (Read more)

DOST Showcases Eco-Friendly Textile Innovation 

DOST-PTRI will launch natural fiber-based nonwoven textiles made from agricultural waste, promoting sustainable alternatives to plastics for healthcare, construction, agriculture, fashion, and other industries across the Philippines. 

Mindoro Tamaraw Population Rises 12% 

The critically endangered tamaraw population in Mounts Iglit-Baco Natural Park increased 12% to 425 this year, showing positive conservation progress despite ongoing threats from habitat loss and human activities. 

Study Warns Against Screen Time for Babies 

A major study found regular screen time may harm children under two, linking it to developmental delays, poorer sleep, reduced bonding, and less physical play and language development. 

Scientists Call “Backrooms” a New Tourist Destination 

Researchers say fictional online spaces like the “Backrooms” represent a new form of digital tourism, where people explore eerie virtual environments for curiosity, emotion, and shared online experiences.

💰 Gov’t proposes P7.2-T 2027 national budget, citing tighter fiscal space, rising debt service, and slower growth amid global uncertainties and spending pressures. (Read more)

🏞️ Misamis Occidental pushes to join PH top tourist spots, showcasing heritage, eco-tourism, improved infrastructure, and rising visitor arrivals through coordinated development efforts. (Read more)

⚖️ VP Sara Duterte’s camp seeks dismissal of impeachment case, calling it flawed, while Senate prepares trial alongside ongoing investigations. (Read more)

📚 Senate to review Juvenile Justice law, CICL facilities, and proposals to lower criminal liability age amid ongoing policy debates. (Read more)

🏠 DHSUD to distribute cash aid to over 2,800 Mindanao quake-hit families for home repairs alongside ongoing shelter assistance programs. (Read more)

Amid fuel shortages and rising prices, some Russian motorists are buying tablets claiming to reduce fuel consumption, though experts warn they may damage engines and lack proven effectiveness.

Venezuela Quake Death Toll Tops 1,400 

The death toll from Venezuela’s twin earthquakes rose to 1,430 as rescuers searched for survivors, with thousands injured, displaced, and nearly 69,000 people still reported missing.

117 Dead Dogs Found at 'No-Kill' Animal Shelter 

Authorities found 117 dead dogs, many with gunshot wounds, at a California animal rescue under investigation for alleged animal cruelty, fraud, and the disappearance of hundreds of animals. 

📝 Ellen Adarna shares unforgettable eye-to-eye moment with F4’s Jerry Yan at concert (Watch here)

📝 NYC mayor Zohran Mamdani dives fully suited, revives pool tradition with humor (Read more)

📝 'Hawak mo ang beat' trendsetter slay the pride parade (Watch here)

📝 Australian researchers teach lab-grown brain cells to play doom (Watch here)