The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
Finance Secretary Frederick Go met with International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva last week to discuss how the Philippines can advance its agenda of strengthening regional economic integration within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In a statement on Thursday, the Department of Finance (DOF) said Go outlined government initiatives aimed at supporting private sector growth by …
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March, 2026
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15 March
FDI inflows rise in December
Foreign direct investments (FDI) posted net inflows of USD560 million in December 2025, higher than the USD427 million recorded in the same month a year earlier, according to data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). The BSP said Japan emerged as the largest source of investments during the month, with most inflows directed to financial and insurance activities. …
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15 March
HSBC Philippines eyes retail expansion
HSBC Philippines remains optimistic about expanding its retail banking operations in the country despite uncertainties arising from the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. Speaking at a briefing in Makati City last week, Pramoth Rajendran, head of international wealth and premier banking at HSBC Philippines, said the bank aims to double its customer base within the next three to five …
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15 March
PNB expands information security certification
Philippine National Bank (PSE: PNB) has passed its surveillance audit for the ISO/IEC 27001:2022 information security certification while expanding the scope of the standard across more of its operations, reinforcing the bank’s commitment to safeguarding customer and business data. The certification audit was conducted by the British Standards Institution (BSI) and now includes additional business units, reflecting the bank’s continuing …
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15 March
ASEAN Economic Ministers to meet with private sectors and ADB representatives
The Philippines, as Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) 2026, through the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), announced on Thursday that the ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) will meet with representatives from the ASEAN Business Advisory Council, the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia, and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). In a press briefing, DTI …
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15 March
Dizon orders Maharlika Highway reblocking done before Holy Week
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon has directed the agency’s field personnel to complete ongoing road reblocking works along the Maharlika Highway ahead of the upcoming Holy Week. Speaking to reporters during his visit to Tacloban, Dizon said DPWH engineers have been instructed to ensure that both lanes of the main highway are open in all …
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15 March
Sandiganbayan orders seizure of Zaldy Co’s 16 properties
Acting on a petition filed by state prosecutors, the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan has ordered the seizure of 16 properties of resigned lawmaker Zaldy Co, with an estimated value of over P215 million. In a 13-page decision promulgated on March 4 and made public last March 9, the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division said it found “sufficient grounds” for the prosecution’s ex parte …
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15 March
Unity Road project, a priority – Dizon
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon has vowed to allocate significant funding for the proposed PHP11.9 billion Unity Roads project over the next two years to improve connectivity within the tri-boundaries of Samar Island. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Dizon said the project will be considered a priority as it was endorsed by the Regional Development …
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15 March
PH to endorse initiative on bloc’s energy interconnectivity during ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Retreat
As Chair of ASEAN 2026, the Philippines, through the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), announced last week it will push for the adoption of the “Advancing ASEAN Energy Interconnectivity through the Operationalization of the Enhanced Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on ASEAN Power Grid” initiative, as the first step to fully connect and upgrade the region’s energy landscape. In a …
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15 March
Metrobank launches online UITF account opening
Metrobank is making investing more accessible by allowing clients to open and manage Unit Investment Trust Fund (UITF) accounts entirely online through its Metrobank Online platform. With the UITF Online feature, investors can subscribe, redeem, and monitor their funds anytime, anywhere, all managed by Metrobank’s multi-awarded team of fund managers. The platform caters to both new investors and those seeking …
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