Happy Monday! The country’s richest list has a new leader, while most fortunes moved in the opposite direction. We also unpack Meralco’s August refund, a Filipino automaker’s big EV bet, the P20-rice push, Filipinos’ growing AI edge, and more stories shaping the Philippines and the wider world this week ahead.

Stay Sharp.

The big picture: The combined wealth of the Philippines’ 50 richest fell 8% to $79 billion. Only 14 were richer than last year, as inflation, a weaker peso and slower growth weighed on fortunes.

The standout: Enrique Razon Jr. reached No. 1 for the first time. His net worth nearly doubled to $21.8 billion after ICTSI’s expansion lifted its shares.

Meanwhile: The Sy siblings slipped to second as their fortune fell to $9.2 billion. Manuel Villar dropped from third to ninth after losing $8.6 billion.

Why it matters: These figures are Forbes estimates based largely on company holdings, stock prices and exchange rates. They show how market swings can reorder the country’s wealthiest ranks, even while the list loses ground.

See the full ranking: Explore Forbes’ complete list of the Philippines’ 50 Richest in 2026.

Meralco will issue a ₱0.59-per-kWh refund to residential customers in August, the company said, following a review of charges. The adjustment is expected to provide relief to households after recent electricity price pressures. Meralco will implement the refund through customers’ August bills, with the amount varying based on consumption.

South Korean Shipbuilder Eyes More PH Warships

South Korean shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy Industries is seeking additional Philippine Navy warship orders as early as the fourth quarter. The company is looking to expand its role in the Philippines’ naval modernization program, building on previous contracts and growing defense cooperation between Manila and Seoul.

Francisco Motors Bets ₱5.8B on Local EVs

Filipino vehicle maker Francisco Motors is preparing a $100-million investment, or roughly ₱5.8 billion, to develop and manufacture two electric vehicle models in the Philippines. The company plans to use the government’s EV incentive program as it seeks to shift from traditional jeepney production toward locally made electric vehicles.

P20 Rice Seen Sustainable Until 2028

The Department of Agriculture said the government’s ₱20-per-kilo rice program can be sustained until 2028, backed by more than 500,000 metric tons of National Food Authority stocks. The DA also plans to expand Kadiwa outlets from 807 sites to as many as 2,000, while rice prices continue to ease.

A Taylor Swift song was removed from a Trump-related TikTok video after the clip used her “August,” leaving the post without audio following a copyright claim. (Read more)

SB19 Leads Awit Awards Nominations

SB19 tops the 2026 Awit Awards with 12 nominations, including Album of the Year for “Simula at Wakas,” as the group leads this year’s OPM contenders. (Read More)

Alas Pilipinas Wins Historic SEA V Cup Silver

Alas Pilipinas Women secured their first SEA V Cup silver medal after beating Indonesia, 25-13, 23-25, 25-19, 33-31, in Thailand on Sunday.(Read More)

A Microsoft study found 25% of Filipino employees are “frontier professionals” in AI use, compared with 16% globally. However, many workers want stronger company support. (Read more)

Salt-Based Batteries Could Cut China Dependence

U.S. startups are developing sodium-ion batteries using materials found in ordinary salt. The technology could offer cheaper energy storage while reducing reliance on China and scarce minerals. (Read more)

UK Children Report Rise in Explicit Deepfakes

A UK service received 420 reports from children about fake explicit images in the first half of 2026, surpassing 2025’s total. Experts warn AI is making manipulation easier. (Read more)

Americans Turn to AI For Financial Advice

About 20% of Americans seeking financial advice used AI, but only 30% trust it. Experts recommend using AI for learning while verifying information through trusted sources. (Read more)

New ‘Coffee Frog’ Species Faces Pesticide Threat

A newly confirmed frog species in Costa Rica lives among coffee plants and feeds on insects. Researchers warn pesticides, habitat loss, tourism, and waste could threaten its survival.

Scientists Discover Tiny Whirlpools on The Sun

Scientists found tiny plasma whirlpools on the Sun, some only 20 kilometers wide. The vortices may twist magnetic fields and help trigger small solar eruptions called nanoflares.

AI Creates New Viruses, Raising Safety Concerns

Scientists used AI to design thousands of viral genomes, producing 16 viable bacteriophages. The breakthrough may help fight antibiotic resistance but also raises concerns about possible misuse.

Scientists Build First Nuclear Clocks

Scientists have built the first clocks using atomic nuclei instead of electrons. The technology could improve timekeeping, enable new physics tests, and potentially detect dark matter.

🏗️ Presidential adviser Joey Salceda said government reforms helped accelerate infrastructure project completion under President Marcos’ administration. (Read more)

✈️ Butuan Airport temporarily suspended 11 flights after a disabled aircraft blocked the runway, disrupting Sunday operations and passenger travel. (Read more)

🌧️ Heavy Habagat rains flooded 182 areas across Luzon, affecting 110,000 families and prompting evacuations, class suspensions, and landslide warnings. (Read more)

⚠️ Sen. Panfilo Lacson accused Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano of threatening the PRA to halt its Taguig reclamation investigation. (Read more)

🌊 DND rejected China’s call for the Philippines to abandon its position on Bajo de Masinloc, reaffirming Manila’s maritime rights. (Read more)

Kano’s government spent 1.5 billion naira to support 1,500 couples, providing dowries, furniture, food, and startup funds. Officials screened applicants to prevent fraud and misuse.

Roman Shipwreck Found Off Sicily With Hundreds of Ancient Wine Jars

Italian divers discovered a 2,100-year-old Roman shipwreck off Mazara del Vallo, Sicily, carrying hundreds of well-preserved amphorae believed to have transported wine.

Teen in China Suffers Temporary Hearing Loss After Hours of Cicada Sounds

An 18-year-old in Ningbo, China, temporarily lost his hearing after spending four hours near hundreds of loud cicadas, recovering after two weeks of treatment and rest.

📝 Wrong outfit fun run brings colorful celebration to Talisayan’s araw festivities. (Read more)

📝IKIMONOGAKARI’S Tiny Desk ‘Blue Bird’ performance brings back classic Naruto nostalgia for fans. (Watch here)

📝 Jollibee warns public over fake P6,000 gift card giveaway. (Read more)

📝 ‘Just a click away’: Budget bookstore chain expands online with e-commerce platform. (Watch here)