Good morning. It’s Friday, Nov 21.

Hi PW readers, We hope you had a productive week. Before we head into the weekend, here are the latest stories from the Philippines and the world. We also want to share a quick update about our plans for PesoWeekly in the coming year.

We are preparing to publish PesoWeekly three times a week: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. For now, we can regularly produce two editions because each issue is personally written, fact checked, and carefully simplified to give you clear and relevant news insight. We know our readers are busy professionals and business owners, so we focus on quality.

The next phase of PesoWeekly will include new content categories. While this is still being finalized, we are planning the following:

• Mon Wed Fri: News on PH, world, business, and science
• Tuesday: Deeper features on business, finance, strategy, and investment
• Thursday: More tech, AI, and innovation stories

We aim to roll this out by the third quarter of next year as we bring in experts, operators, and analysts to help create high value content.

Thanks for growing with us.

Stay sharp,
Team PesoWeekly

The United States has removed the 19 percent tariff on more than one billion dollars worth of Philippine agricultural exports, giving farmers and exporters long-awaited relief after months of higher trade costs. The exemption now covers 46 percent of all PH exports to the US, improving competitiveness and restoring stability for industries that rely heavily on access to the American market.

Context check
The newly exempted products include key agricultural goods that generated over one billion dollars in export value last year. These include

• major coconut products
• fresh and processed bananas
• processed pineapples and fruit juices
• dried tropical fruits
• tuna fillets

This update builds on earlier semiconductor exemptions, bringing total tariff free exports to six point eight billion dollars.

What exporters need to know
The DTI has advised exporters to coordinate with US importers to verify whether specific shipments qualify for exemption. Goods that entered the US after November thirteen may also be eligible for duty refunds if tariffs were already paid.

So what
The tariff relief strengthens PH-US economic ties and supports thousands of farmers and MSMEs. Officials say the positive effects will take time to fully materialize since agriculture requires longer production cycles, but the decision sends a strong signal to investors and producers planning for 2025 and beyond.

PSEi: 5,930
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Google Pay has finally launched in the Philippines, giving Android users nationwide access to tap-to-pay via Google Wallet. Backed by major banks including UnionBank, RCBC, China Bank, Maya, and GoTyme, the rollout marks a major leap in the country’s contactless adoption. The BSP’s classification of global wallets as tech providers helped fast-track approval, and with Apple Pay still pending, Android users now get a head start. The launch brings PH payments closer to global NFC standards and strengthens the country’s digital-commerce ecosystem.

Salesforce has opened its first Philippine office, cementing its presence in one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing digital economies. The new Makati hub signals rising demand for AI-powered CRM tools as analysts forecast artificial intelligence could add up to ₱2.8 trillion to the Philippine economy by 2030. Executives say the move reflects strong enterprise adoption across banks, telcos, and utilities, plus a deep local talent pool of Salesforce-certified professionals. The company plans to hire, expand into government clients, support Tagalog-language AI tools, and train 12,000 Filipinos in CRM and AI over the next five years.

The DENR is urging lawmakers to align the proposed single-use plastics tax with the existing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Act, warning that companies could face a “double burden” if both rules overlap. Large firms are already required under the EPR law to reduce plastic waste, while new House bills propose a ₱100-per-kilo excise tax on single-use plastics. Lawmakers and the BIR say unclear definitions could complicate enforcement, and industry groups fear paying twice if the measures aren’t harmonized.

American manufacturers and pharma groups are urging Washington to classify the Philippines’ “Prefer Filipino” procurement rules as a trade barrier. In filings to the US Trade Representative, the groups argue that the New Government Procurement Act, allowing Filipino firms to win bids even at 25 percent higher prices—unfairly shuts out foreign suppliers and limits competition. US cloud providers also say the system forces them into local partnerships and restricts access to government projects. The issue may appear in the USTR’s 2026 trade-barriers report.

The Philippine leg of the 2026 Asia Pacific Predator League wrapped after two days of fierce competition, awarding ₱500,000 in prizes and locking in the country’s representatives for the regional finals in India. Underdogs Kukuys stunned defending Dota 2 champions Execration, while Team Nemesis claimed the final PH slot. League of Legends made its Predator League debut with NAOS Esports taking the crown, and Oasis Gaming dominated Valorant with a 3–1 win over Xipto. All five teams now advance to the APAC Finals in January 2026.

The overview
Many Filipinos are carrying invisible “money scripts” learned at home. These beliefs feel natural, even harmless, but they quietly shape how you save, spend, take risks, and help family. The surprise is that most of these scripts were built for survival in an older Philippine economy and no longer fit today’s financial reality.

What shaped us
Filipino households passed down common money rules: save everything, avoid debt, never talk about money, help family at all costs. These lessons came from real struggles, but they can limit financial growth today. To move forward, you need to spot which script you absorbed.
• Money is always scarce
• Investing is unsafe
• Debt means failure
• Spending brings comfort
• Supporting everyone is a duty

Recognizing the script is the first step to breaking it.

What this means for you
Challenge each belief. Ask if it is always true or simply inherited. Modern tools like online banking, diversified investments, and automated budgeting make money management safer than before. A calculated loan can build assets. Investing early grows wealth faster than pure saving. Setting boundaries with relatives protects your long-term stability.

So what
You are not obligated to repeat your parents’ money story. You can honor their sacrifices while upgrading the financial mindset you pass to the next generation.

Big picture
Saudi Arabia is accelerating its push into artificial intelligence, unveiling billions of dollars in joint ventures with top American tech firms as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman makes a rare US visit. At the center of the pitch: money, land, and cheap energy,  the three ingredients US AI companies urgently need to scale. Saudi-backed Humain announced partnerships with xAI, Cisco, AMD, and Qualcomm, signaling the kingdom’s ambition to become a global AI hub.

Context check
Elon Musk used the Washington forum to reveal xAI’s first major data center outside the US - a 500-megawatt facility built with Humain and powered by Nvidia chips. Jensen Huang, Nvidia’s CEO, joined Musk and Saudi officials onstage, underscoring how deeply the kingdom is embedding itself into the US AI supply chain. AWS also announced a 100-megawatt data center in Riyadh, with plans to deploy up to 150,000 AI accelerators.

What’s driving this
As AI models grow, companies need enormous amounts of energy and space for data centers, two things the US is struggling to supply fast enough. Saudi Arabia, however, has abundant land, vast energy capacity, and a willingness to spend aggressively.

So what
These investments double as a geopolitical reset for Prince bin Salman. He told US leaders Saudi investment in America will rise from $600 billion to $1 trillion — a move that strengthens ties, cushions US-Saudi relations, and positions the kingdom as an indispensable partner in the future of AI.

A German robotics firm has launched a new humanoid robot designed to take on real industrial jobs, from hauling materials to handling tools with precision. Called Agile ONE, the two-legged machine pairs human-like interaction with what the company claims is the world’s most dexterous robotic hand, plus an AI model trained on real factory data. It’s built to work safely alongside people and other robots, with full production set for 2026 as the company bets on “Physical AI” as the next industrial revolution. (Watch Video Here).

Yann LeCun, one of the pioneers of modern AI, is leaving Meta to pursue a vision he believes big tech is getting wrong. While Meta doubles down on large language models, LeCun argues they’re the wrong path to human-level intelligence and is instead building a new company focused on visual, child-like learning. His exit follows growing industry doubts about an overheated AI market, but LeCun remains bullish dismissing doomsday predictions and pushing for a different kind of AI future.

Australia’s top intelligence official says hackers linked to the Chinese government are attempting to infiltrate the country’s critical infrastructure, raising fears of potential “high-impact sabotage.” ASIO director Mike Burgess warned that groups tied to China’s government and military  including Salt Typhoon and Volt Typhoon have already breached major US networks and are now probing Australian systems across telecoms, energy, transport, and water. Burgess said even brief disruptions could cost billions and urged businesses to harden their defenses as foreign interference accelerates.

Grab is making a major move into the future of mobility, investing $60 million in Vay, the German startup behind remote-driven electric vehicles. The deal, set to close by late 2025, gives Grab a minority stake and the option to pour in an additional $350 million if Vay hits key U.S. milestones. Vay’s model lets remote drivers deliver cars to customers, who then drive themselves, slashing costs and eliminating parking hassles. Grab says the partnership will boost its long-term autonomous strategy and support Vay’s U.S. expansion.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla declared a net worth of ₱441.7 million in his first SALN as Ombudsman, reflecting a more than 2,000% increase from the ₱20.6 million he reported in 2005 as a Cavite lawmaker. His assets include ₱83.2 million in real estate and ₱358.8 million in personal properties, largely from ₱300 million in inherited cash. GMA’s review of past Ombudsmen showed Samuel Martires ended his term with ₱78.2 million, while Conchita Carpio-Morales retired with ₱80.1 million.

Three of seven luxury vehicles seized from contractor couple Pacifico and Sarah Discaya were sold at a Bureau of Customs auction, generating more than ₱38.2 million. A 2019 Mercedes-Benz G500 Brabus fetched ₱15.5 million, a 2022 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG sold for ₱15.6 million, and a 2022 Lincoln Navigator went for ₱7.1 million. Four other high-end units  including a Rolls-Royce Cullinan and Bentley Bentayga had no takers. Customs officials said all proceeds will be remitted to the national treasury.

A Philippine court has convicted former Bamban mayor Alice Guo of human trafficking for helping establish an illegal online scam and gaming complex that forced hundreds of foreign workers into fraudulent operations. Guo, who denies the allegations and insists she is Filipino, was sentenced to life imprisonment alongside seven co-accused. Authorities say the compound housed trafficked workers coerced into scams. Officials call the ruling a major step in the crackdown on cybercrime, trafficking, and foreign-run scam centers across the country.

The European Union has pledged €22.6 million or about ₱1.5 billion to help accelerate the Philippines’ digital transformation under the new EU–Philippines Digital Economy Package. Finance Secretary Frederick Go said the funding will improve secure digital connectivity and expand access to Copernicus satellite data for disaster response and climate resilience. The program will integrate AI for faster analysis, support 5G policy development, strengthen cybersecurity, and boost research partnerships between EU and Philippine universities. Implementation will involve PhilSA, DOST, DICT, and the OCD.

Lacson said resigned lawmaker Zaldy Co’s claim of a ₱100-billion budget insertion is accurate, but he stressed President Marcos was not involved. In a Senate hearing, Lacson said the alleged kickbacks were linked to individuals who “invoked the President’s name,” identifying PLLO undersecretary Adrian Bersamin and DepEd undersecretary Trygve Olaivar. Citing former DPWH official Roberto Bernardo, Lacson said cash deliveries were made in 2024. He noted the President later vetoed some projects tied to the questioned insertions.

A new review of 17 studies suggests that people exposed to cats may have roughly twice the odds of developing schizophrenia-related conditions. The analysis, led by Australian researchers, highlights a long-debated theory involving Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite sometimes carried by cats that can affect the brain. But experts caution that the evidence is mixed, many studies are low-quality, and none prove cats cause schizophrenia. For now, researchers say stronger, large-scale studies are needed before drawing firm conclusions.

Stanford scientists may have cracked a key piece of the autism puzzle. In a new study, researchers found that a tiny brain region called the reticular thalamic nucleus becomes unusually overactive in mice with autism-like traits. That hyperactivity triggered seizures, sensory overload, and social withdrawal. The twist: when scientists dialed down this activity using experimental seizure drugs, the symptoms reversed. The work suggests autism and epilepsy share deep neurological pathways and points to a promising new treatment target.

Stanford researchers say lupus may finally have a smoking gun. A new study pins the autoimmune disorder on Epstein-Barr virus, a pathogen that quietly lives inside 95% of adults. The team discovered that EBV can hijack a tiny fraction of B cells and turn them into hyperactive commanders that rally the immune system to attack the body’s own tissues. The finding could reshape how scientists understand and eventually treat lupus and other autoimmune diseases.

Scientists have developed a new protein-based gel that can actually regrow dental enamel,  something fluoride has never been able to do. The material, created by University of Nottingham researchers, mimics the proteins that build enamel in infancy and forms a thin, tough layer that fills cracks, strengthens teeth, and triggers new mineral growth using calcium and phosphate from saliva. Early tests show the regenerated enamel behaves like the real thing, hinting at a future where cavities and sensitivity are far easier to prevent and repair.

Scientists have discovered that the rhythmic waves pushing food through your gut follow the same mathematical rules as the tiny blood-flow pulses inside your brain. Using a new model that replicates gut peristalsis, researchers found that these oscillations sync and “talk” to each other just like the brain’s vascular rhythms. The physics behind both systems appear surprisingly similar, offering clues that could help scientists decode how changes in these pulses relate to mental health and early signs of neurological disease.

BPI AIA Free Courses – Simple video lessons on budgeting, saving, and financial planning. Click here

The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason: Timeless money lessons told through short, easy parables. Available on any bookstores

Philippine Spirits by Jean Karl Gaverza – A digital archive of 2,000+ mythical creatures and deities from Filipino folklore. Find it on: Philippine Spirits

🎙️The Koolpals:  Pinoy comedians talk life and pop culture with jokes, banter, and big laughs. Click here

The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel: Why how you think about money matters more than what you know. Available in all bookstores.