Good morning.

Today’s issue has the government doing tax triage: BIR is writing off small delinquent accounts so it can chase bigger recoveries. Also on deck: ube’s export glow-up, stronger bank lending, TikTok Shop’s local push, red alerts for Luzon and Visayas, and robot wolves scaring bears in Japan.

Stay Sharp.

Big picture: The BIR is raising the write-off threshold for final and demandable delinquent tax accounts to ₱80,000 from ₱20,000, under Revenue Memorandum Order No. 11-2026. Translation: some small tax debts may be dropped if collecting them costs more than they are worth.

Why it matters: This is the tax version of choosing your battles. The BIR has a ₱3.46 trillion collection target for 2026, so it wants manpower focused on bigger cases with better recovery chances.

The catch: Economists say the move could improve collection efficiency, but only if enforcement remains credible. If taxpayers read this as “small violations won’t matter,” compliance could weaken. The BIR’s challenge: chase the big fish without teaching the small fish bad habits.

The Department of Trade and Industry said ube is emerging as one of the Philippines’ fastest-growing export products, reaching $3.06 million in 2025 sales. Demand for ube powder, puree, and flavoring is rising across the US, Europe, and Middle East, opening bigger opportunities for Filipino farmers and food exporters worldwide.

Philippine Bank Lending Hits 7-Month High

Philippine bank lending grew 10.7% in March to ₱14.6 trillion, the fastest pace in seven months, despite tensions in the Middle East. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said strong business activity and household spending drove loan growth, while economists noted the conflict has so far had limited impact on local credit conditions.

TikTok Shop Bets Big on Philippine Growth

TikTok Shop Philippines expects sales growth to exceed 2025 levels as more Filipinos turn to e-commerce amid rising fuel costs. The platform said local sellers grew sales by 200% last year, while demand for livestream and short-video shopping continues rising. TikTok Shop is also expanding MSME support across Visayas and Mindanao.

HBO Max released the first teaser for “Stuart Fails to Save the Universe”, a 10-episode “Big Bang Theory” spinoff premiering July 23, where comic shop owner Stuart accidentally triggers a multiverse apocalypse. (Read more)

Alex Eala Bags Italian Open Payday

Alex Eala earned 46,080 euros and 65 ranking points after reaching the Italian Open singles Round of 32, plus 15,360 euros more from doubles before heading to Strasbourg next week. (Read More)

SB19 Lands Historic Lollapalooza Slot

SB19 will perform a one-hour set at Chicago’s Lollapalooza on July 30, becoming the first Filipino act ever to appear at the global music festival. (Read more)

Big picture: The Philippine economy slowed again, with 1Q26 GDP growth at 2.8% YoY, below 3.0% in 4Q25 and weaker than the 3.3% consensus estimate. AB Capital says the slowdown now cuts across household consumption, investment, construction, manufacturing, and confidence-sensitive sectors.

Why it matters: The report describes the economy as “stagflation-lite”: growth is below trend, inflation risk is rising, real incomes are under pressure, and policy space is limited. GDP is still growing, but the cushion is thinner.

Market read: AB Capital cut its 2026 GDP forecast to 3.3% from 4.6%, with 2027 now at 4.3%. For stocks, it recommends staying defensive and selective.

In collaboration with AB Capital Securities. This section is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Please conduct your own research or consult a licensed professional before making investment decisions.

University of the Philippines chemists developed an AI tool called ISCAPE that predicts antibacterial peptides against E. coli, helping researchers identify potential antibiotic candidates faster while reducing costly trial-and-error laboratory testing. (Read more)

Japan’s Robot Wolves See Surge in Orders After Bear Attacks

A Japanese company making robotic “Monster Wolf” scarecrows reported soaring demand after rising bear attacks nationwide, with farmers and rural workers using the devices to drive away dangerous wildlife. (Read more)

Canva introduced an offline editing feature allowing users to design without internet access, while also launching AI-powered learning tools as part of its broader push into workplace productivity services. (Read more)

South Korean Startup Uses Workers to Train Artificial Intelligence Robots

South Korean startup RLWRLD is collecting data from hotel, warehouse, and retail workers to train artificial intelligence-powered robots, as the country pushes to become a global leader in humanoid and industrial robotics. (Read more)

From PCOS to PMOS: Female Hormonal Disorder Gets New Name

Polycystic ovary syndrome, affecting 170 million women worldwide, is now renamed PMOS to better reflect its hormonal and metabolic nature. Researchers say the change aims to improve diagnosis, reduce confusion, and support better treatment and care globally.

Super El Niño May Form as Ocean Temperatures Near Record Highs

Scientists warn of a possible super El Niño as April 2026 ocean temperatures hit near-record highs, with a 61% chance of emergence from May to July, raising risks of extreme global weather events.

UCL Study Links Arts Engagement to Slower Biological Ageing

UCL researchers found that regular arts activities such as reading, music, and museum visits are linked to slower biological ageing in 3,556 UK adults based on DNA epigenetic analysis study.

New Drugs Kill Cancer-Linked Zombie Cells

Researchers identified drugs that kill senescent zombie cells by blocking GPX4, triggering ferroptosis, reducing tumors and improving survival in mice, offering potential new cancer and aging therapies research shows promise.

⚖️ SC did not issue a TRO for Bato dela Rosa and ordered executive officials to comment on ICC warrant validity within 72 hours. (Read more)

🚨 Philippine Senate reported a shooting scare but officials confirmed everyone was safe as investigation begins and security forces secured the building. (Read more)

📈 Northern Mindanao inflation rose to 8.2% in April, driven by higher food, transport, and fuel prices. (Read more)

🚔 NBI arrested a man in Cebu City for trafficking women into prostitution and rescued four victims in an entrapment operation. (Read more)

⚡NGCP placed Luzon and Visayas under red alert due to tight power supply, warning of possible outages amid high demand. (Read more)

A Russian cargo ship believed to be carrying submarine nuclear reactor components possibly bound for North Korea sank off Spain after unexplained explosions, raising questions about its secret cargo and military activity around the wreck.

British Sailor Attempts Atlantic Crossing in Tiny Boat

British sailor Andrew Bedwell is preparing for another attempt to cross the Atlantic Ocean in a boat under four feet long, hoping to break the world record while raising funds for cancer research.

Russian Men Reportedly Paying for Fake Fighter Ears

Russian men are reportedly undergoing procedures to get “cauliflower ears”, a deformity linked to combat sports, in an effort to appear tougher and more intimidating despite health risks warned by experts.

📝 Nursing student uses sleeping kitten as mock patient. (Watch here)

📝 550-pound bear flushed out from home by wildlife expert. (Watch here)

📝 Young football fan with cerebral palsy scores first goal to roaring cheers. (Read more)

📝 Jellyfish-like rocket glow lights up Laoag sky after China launch. (Watch here)