Business

The Philippines has taken another step toward digitalizing legal and property transactions with the nationwide rollout of electronic notarization, or eNotarization. The initiative is designed to make notarization more accessible while maintaining safeguards for document authenticity and the rights of the parties involved. On October 13, 2026, the Supreme Court signed joint memorandum circulars with the...

Mandaue City has welcomed a new retail and leisure destination with the opening of Astra Lifestyle Centre Mandaue, an upscale boutique mall along A.S. Fortuna Street in Banilad. Developed by Cebu Landmasters, Inc. (CLI) as part of the mixed-use Astra Centre, the lifestyle destination brings together dining, shopping, wellness, healthcare, fashion, and family-oriented activities in one location. The...

Monthly condominium and subdivision association dues could become lower if a proposed Philippine law exempts shared residential facilities from real property tax. Senate Bill No. 2569, filed by Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero on October 21, 2026, seeks to remove real property tax (RPT) on designated common areas that do not generate income. The proposal would amend Section 234 of Republic Act No....

Cebu is strengthening its pipeline of Cebu PPP projects as the Provincial Government works with the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center to identify, evaluate, and prepare infrastructure and development projects that could involve private-sector participation. The partnership gained momentum during the Cebu Economic Forum 4.0 in September 2026, where the PPP Center and the Cebu Provincial Government...

The Cebu provincial properties portfolio is being positioned for new investment and development opportunities as the Cebu Provincial Government seeks private-sector partners for government-owned assets across the province. The initiative involves potential public-private partnerships (PPP) and joint venture agreements for properties in strategic locations, including Sudlon in Barangay Lahug, Cebu IT...

The Cebu property market continues to see demand for residential properties, but delays in securing government approvals are creating challenges for developers preparing new projects. A recent report by The Freeman highlighted concerns from property industry representatives about delays in the issuance of Licenses to Sell (LTS). The permit is required before developers can legally market and sell...

The Cebu property market continues to attract major national developers, while broader real estate activity across the Philippines is also expanding into new asset classes and regional growth areas. In its June 2026 Market Intelligence report, Colliers highlighted three developments worth watching: DMCI Homes' Kalea Heights in Cebu, Megaworld REIT's planned expansion into retail and hospitality assets,...

The proposed Maceda Law reform could significantly change how Filipino buyers are protected when purchasing residential real estate through installment payments. Sen. Francis Escudero is pushing for amendments to Republic Act No. 6552, or the Realty Installment Buyer Act, commonly known as the Maceda Law. The law was enacted in 1972, and the proposed changes seek to update its protections for today's...

Mantawi Residences Cebu has reached another important stage in its development, with RLC Residences holding the first concrete pouring ceremony for Tower 1 in March 2026. The premium condominium development is located along Ouano Avenue in Mandaue City, positioning it within one of Cebu's established urban areas and a corridor undergoing continued development. The construction milestone marks the...

The VisMin real estate market is becoming an increasingly important part of the Philippine property landscape, with growth extending beyond Metro Manila into major cities across the Visayas and Mindanao. Colliers' July 2026 VisMin report identifies residential, office and hospitality demand as key drivers of this expansion. Infrastructure improvements, outsourcing activity, tourism growth and continued...

The Cebu property market continues to show resilience in 2026, supported by demand across office, residential, tourism and hospitality developments. While Philippine economic growth has slowed compared with 2025, recent property-market data indicate that Cebu remains one of the country's major regional real estate centers. The latest Visayas-Mindanao property report from Colliers highlights several...

The Philippine property market continues to evolve, and one of the most promising developments is the accelerating growth of the Visayas and Mindanao regions. Once considered secondary markets, these areas are now attracting significant attention from investors, developers, and businesses looking beyond Metro Manila for long-term opportunities. Recent industry discussions have highlighted how economic...

Owning a home remains one of the biggest aspirations of many Filipinos, but rising borrowing costs and increasing property prices have made home financing more challenging in recent years. In response, Pag-IBIG Fund has introduced new housing loan initiatives aimed at making homeownership more accessible for qualified members. The latest program combines promotional interest rates, increased loan...

A clean property title is one of the most important factors when buying, selling, or transferring real estate. However, many landowners discover that their title still carries a Rule 74 annotation, even years after an Extra-Judicial Settlement or Self-Adjudication has been completed. If you're wondering whether a Rule 74 annotation can be removed, the answer is yes—but the process depends on meeting...

Buying a property involves more than comparing prices, checking locations, or inspecting the house itself. One of the most important parts of due diligence is carefully reviewing the property's title, including any annotations that may affect ownership rights. One annotation that every buyer should understand is the Pacto de Retro Sale. While it may seem like just another legal term, this annotation...

Buying real estate is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll ever make. While most buyers focus on a property's location, price, and physical condition, equally important is examining the property's title for annotations that may affect ownership. One annotation that often raises questions is the Pacto de Retro Sale. Although a property may appear to have a valid title, a Pacto de Retro...

Property title annotations play a crucial role in real estate transactions. Whether you're buying, selling, or investing in a property, understanding the annotations appearing on the title can help you avoid unexpected legal and financial issues. While many buyers focus only on the property's location, price, and appearance, the annotations found on the title often reveal important information about its...

A Lis Pendens annotation on a property title can immediately raise concerns for property owners, buyers, and investors. While it does not automatically mean the property has been lost or transferred, it serves as an official notice that the property is involved in an ongoing court case. Understanding what a Lis Pendens means—and how it can eventually be removed—is essential before making any real...

Cebu Landmasters, Inc. (CLI) has announced a significant leadership transition with the appointment of Jose Franco Soberano as its new President and Chief Executive Officer. The move marks a new chapter for one of the Philippines’ leading regional property developers as founder Jose Soberano III transitions from day-to-day leadership while remaining actively involved in the company as Executive...

Mandaue City is set to welcome a major addition to its growing commercial landscape as Ayala Malls Gatewalk prepares to open before Christmas 2026. Located in Barangay Subangdaku, the upcoming lifestyle and retail destination is expected to become a key component of Gatewalk, Ayala Land’s master-planned mixed-use development in Mandaue City. The project is designed to bring together retail, leisure,...

Real Estate Sector Maintains Growth Momentum The Philippine property market continues to evolve in 2026 as demand across multiple sectors remains active despite changing economic conditions. Office, residential, hospitality, retail, and industrial developments continue to shape the country’s expanding real estate landscape, with regional cities playing a larger role in driving long-term growth. As...