Makati Business Club, Inc.

18/09/2026

Join the Makati Business Club and help build meaningful relationships with the country's leading business leaders. MBC is looking for passionate individuals to join our dynamic team and help drive our upcoming events and projects to success.

Submit your application on MBC's website: https://bit.ly/MakatiBusinessClubJobs

Makati Business Club was organized by top businesses and executives in 1981 to engage with government and civil society on national issues. MBC connects businesses with top national and local officials and global leaders. We advocate policy with lawmakers, the executive department, and regulators.

Due to the volume of applications received, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted by the hiring team.

18/09/2026

Before we tee off for our 45th anniversary, let's look back at where it all started.

Since 2024, MBC’s Golf Tournament directly supported MBC’s global initiatives, across our engagements with embassies in courtesy calls, closed-door meetings, roundtable discussions, networking receptions, and forums.

The tournament kicked off with a ceremonial tee-off led by MBC Chairman Ed Chua and Trustee Lito Tayag. Notable attendees include ambassadors and representatives from the embassies of Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, Denmark, Lao PDR, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Singapore, Spain, the United States, and Vietnam, as well as government officials across multiple agencies.

To our sponsors, partners, and players, thank you for making it a tournament to remember. Here's to an even bigger and better one this November 6 at Manila Golf, for MBC’s 3rd Golf Tournament as we celebrate "45 Years of Constructive Ideas and Meaningful Action."

For sponsorships and inquiries, reach out to Gracielle Banal, MBC Sponsorships Officer, at [email protected]

18/09/2026

[MBC IN THE NEWS] The passage of a Freedom of Information (FOI) law in the Philippines will improve the confidence of foreign investors and lower business costs, according to the Makati Business Club (MBC), a non-profit business association.

In a September 3 press event, MBC chairman Edgar Chua noted that passing such legislation would be significant in alleviating difficulties foreign investors face when engaging with Philippine businesses and bureaucracy.

Read the article in The Business Manual: https://thebusinessmanual.ph/news/makati-business-club-foi-law-investor-confidence/

Makati Business Club's Edgar Chua says a Freedom of Information law could lower business costs and improve foreign investor confidence in the Philippines.

17/09/2026

[READ | MBC's Business Matters Column on INQ]

MBC Trustee Ramon del Rosario Jr. asks whether the principles of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) can be adapted to the Philippine education system. Rosario explores how to integrate long-term solutions into a system made vulnerable by political calendars and presidential terms.

Check out MBC’s Business Matters archive: mbc.com.ph/mbc-business-matters-column/2026-archive/



Business Matters is a project of the Makati Business Club.

17/09/2026

[AGRICULTURE ADVOCACY: GOVERNMENT ENGAGEMENT]

On August 3, MBC met with Asec. Genevieve Guevarra and Dir. Junibert E. De Sagun of Department of Agriculture - Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (DA-AMAS) to discuss MBC’s Price Transparency Board initiative, learn more about the DA-AMAS’ Bantay Presyo, and explore opportunities for collaboration toward price transparency in agriculture.

The Price Transparency Board aims to equip farmers with timely market information to negotiate fairer rates and increase income retention.

Know more about MBC’s Agriculture Advocacy: https://mbc.com.ph/agriculture/mbc-agriculture-and-food-security-summit-2026

16/09/2026

[AGRICULTURE ADVOCACY: PRIVATE SECTOR ENGAGEMENT]

On August 26, MBC organized a meeting with Jollibee Group Foundation’s President and Executive Director Gisela Tiongson to exchange insights on how the private sector can help connect cooperatives and smallholder farmers to sustainable market opportunities.

The meeting explored how MBC’s AgriBiz Connect platform can bring together CEOs and business leaders to spark conversations, identify opportunities for local sourcing, and build partnerships that connect Filipino farmers and cooperatives with business markets.

If you are interested about MBC’s agriculture initiatives, you may email [email protected].

16/09/2026

The Makati Business Club extends its deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Governor Dakila Carlo “Dax” Cua. Throughout his public service career, Governor Dax was a valued partner of the business sector in advancing good governance and supporting policies aimed at improving the quality of life of Filipinos. We honor his service and contributions to his province and the country.

15/09/2026

Congratulations to Land Bank’s President and CEO, Lynette Ortiz, for being honored with two major global accolades:

🏆 Banking CEO of the Year - Philippines 2026 by Global Banking & Finance Review

🏆 Best Woman CEO - Banking - Philippines 2026 by International Finance.

Conferred by leading London-based financial publications known for evaluating institutional performance and executive leadership across global markets, these recognitions coincide with Land Bank’s 63rd anniversary and highlight PCEO Ortiz’s outstanding leadership in sustainable finance and digital transformation.

Under her stewardship, Land Bank continues to expand financial access, empower local communities, and drive national development.

This milestone reflects the continuous drive toward inclusive growth, digital transformation, and executive excellence shaping the Philippines’ financial landscape.

See more member-to-member updates: https://mbc.com.ph/mbc-member-to-member/

15/09/2026

[ASEAN-6 GDP] Vietnam Leads at 8.39% as Growth Gap in ASEAN expands further

Economic growth across the ASEAN-6 diverged further in Q2 2026 due to differences in domestic investment, industrial activity, and exposure to global trade. Vietnam led the region with a whopping 8.39% growth due to a surge in construction and infrastructure activity alongside strong export-oriented manufacturing. Malaysia followed at 6.0%, benefiting from stronger manufacturing activity and a rebound in natural gas production, while Singapore grew at 5.7%, driven by increased demand for electronics and semiconductors, thus, driving up manufacturing. Indonesia expanded by 5.29%, due to higher government spending and domestic demand. Meanwhile, the Philippines slowed to 2.3% as a sharp decline in construction and investment continued to slow growth, while Thailand decelerated to 1.9% despite stronger private investment and tourism.

Read the latest report on PH GDP Q2 2026: https://mbc.com.ph/

For a wider range of updated economic data, please see the MBC Economic Dashboard: https://mbc.com.ph/economy-dashboard/

This economic update is led by MBC’s Economy Program, which is also in charge of economic briefings, the economic dashboard, monthly inflation and labor releases, and quarterly GDP and ASEAN-6 reports.

#2026

14/09/2026

[MBC IN THE NEWS] Makati Business Club Chairman Edgar Chua said economic classifications mattered less if ordinary Filipinos did not feel improvements in their daily lives.

“Because even if they say, hey, we are rich in terms of GDP per capita. But remember, GDP per capita is an average. If the 10 percent is rich, still, 90 percent is still grappling. So, we have a serious problem, and that’s not sustainable,” Chua said in a roundtable interview Thursday.

Read the article in the Daily Tribune: https://tribune.net.ph/2026/09/03/1-in-3-filipinos-say-quality-of-life-worsened-sws-survey-shows

One in three Filipinos say their quality of life worsened in the past year, even as the Philippines attains upper-middle-income status, an SWS survey shows. Learn how Net Gainers returned to a fair score, why Metro Manila lags behind other regions, and why business leaders warn that many still don.....