The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
The magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Bago City, Cebu, on September 30 shook more than just the ground—it rattled a nation already grappling with the weight of corruption, poor governance, and deep regional inequalities. As the rubble is cleared and aftershocks still threaten already damaged homes and buildings, we must take stock not only of what was lost, but what can …
Points of View & Perspectives
October, 2025
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1 October
The reckoning of Rodrigo Duterte—justice or diversion?
As the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee resumed its high-profile hearings into massive infrastructure-related corruption, another political earthquake rippled through the nation—this time from The Hague. On July 4, the International Criminal Court (ICC) formally charged former President Rodrigo Duterte with three counts of crimes against humanity, related to his bloody and controversial war on drugs. The implications are enormous—not only …
September, 2025
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23 September
Litmus test of Marcos administration
The recent exposé on massive corruption in flood control projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has ignited national outrage — not because Filipinos are surprised, but because they are exhausted. The latest cases filed with the Office of the Ombudsman, specifically against officials from the DPWH’s Bulacan regional office and their favored contractors, are merely confirmation …
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16 September
The Groundwork: Building Your Emergency Fund
Let’s be real. Most people don’t have an emergency fund. We live with a “come what may” mindset. The problem is, when trouble comes, it usually comes with a bill attached. Here’s the painful truth: one hospital trip, one job layoff, one broken appliance, and suddenly your wallet is in the ICU. Instead of savings, we resort to borrowing. And …
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1 September
Why Most People Stay Broke Even When They Earn More
HOUSE OF FINACIAL FREEDOM By Chinkee Tan You’d think doubling your income would automatically make you wealthier. For most people, it doesn’t. I’ve seen it countless times as a wealth coach: salary goes up, lifestyle follows, and savings stay flat. This is called the income trap: expenses grow as fast as, or faster than, income. One of my clients experienced …
August, 2025
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28 August
After the flood, a deluge of scandals
As the tide of public outrage over half-finished or ghost flood control projects begins to recede, another wave of controversies waits patiently in line. It’s the familiar rhythm of Philippine politics — scandal erupts, investigations are promised, press conferences are held, headlines scream for a few weeks, then… silence. The show moves on. What comes next? Take your pick. The …
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25 August
BSP Gaming Ban: A Win for Families and Financial Health
HOUSE OF FINACIALFREEDOMBy Chinkee Tan The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has issued a new directive suspending in-app gaming access for all BSP-supervised institutions. Platforms like GCash have begun removing gaming options from GLife last August 16, and the only way users can access them is through the gaming merchant’s website. Some may see this as an inconvenience. I see …
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21 August
Sumbong sa Pangulo – Portal of truth or just more noise?
The launch of the portal sumbongsapangulo.ph has opened what can only be described as the floodgates—yes, pun intended—for reports of anomalies in government projects. Unlike the usual complaint mechanisms that often feel like shouting into a void, this online portal gives ordinary Filipinos a direct line to Malacañang. And in an era where public skepticism is high, this is no …
July, 2025
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21 July
Bongbong’s big gamble in Washington
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s confirmed visit to the United States on July 20-22, 2025, comes at a politically charged time — with high economic stakes. The trip, which may include his first official meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, places the Philippine leader in a delicate position: whether to confront the controversial 20% tariffs recently imposed by the U.S. …
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6 July
Don’t fold — Use geopolitical leverage vs. US tariffs
With Malacañang issuing a cautious, pre-emptive statement on the potential re-implementation of US tariffs under the Trump administration, the writing on the wall is clear: the Philippines is bracing for economic headwinds it feels powerless to resist. Instead of dressing up this passivity in diplomatic language to soothe a jittery business community, it’s time our leaders recognize the strategic advantage …
