The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson warned he will turn up the heat against government corruption, hoping that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will do the same. “With renewed tenacity and hard work, I am even more encouraged to expose more corruption issues that are similar to what has become the most blatant and unprecedented misuse and abuse of the …

Additional major roads and highways will be covered by the ban on electric bicycles and tricycles (e-bikes and e-trikes), according to the Land Transportation Office (LTO). The e-trike prohibition now includes Commonwealth and Quezon Avenues in Quezon City, as well as Marcos Highway and Sumulong Highway, according to LTO chief Markus Lacanilao. The ban already includes EDSA, C-5 Road, Roxas …

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said corruption is also ‘severe’ in the judiciary, and is not exclusive to the executive and legislative branches of government. Remulla said, “Don’t think corruption happens just in the executive or legislative branches. (Corruption in the judiciary) is severe.” “Watch the judges. Watch the justices. We should all watch them,” he added. Remulla cited the Sandiganbayan …

Poong Nazareno devotees who will participate in the procession of the image of Jesus the Nazarene on Jan. 9 are expected to exceed the eight million participants recorded last year, according to Quiapo church officials. Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno technical adviser Alex Irasga said the event will no longer be called Black Nazarene or Traslacion. “The …

Police Lt. Gen. General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr., acting chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) directed police commanders throughout the country to maintain strategic deployment of police personnel and other crime prevention measures so as to sustain the decrease in crime incidents achieved in 2025. Recently, the PNP reported a 12.4% decline on focus crimes throughout 2025, compared …

The country’s economic slump might continue in 2026 if concrete reforms are not instituted to address corruption and governance issues, according to former Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) deputy governor Diwa Guinigundo. “Unless the government is able to resolve the issue of corruption and bad governance, it will be very difficult to restore the trust of investors and businesses in …

The Philippines has lost its viability, based on recent tourism figures in Southeast Asia.  Data from the Department of Tourism (DOT) showed that the Philippines attracted 5.235 million tourists from January to November last year, a 2.16% drop from the 5.35 million recorded in the same period in 2024.  With 7,641 islands offering diverse cultures and sights – including Boracay and Palawan -and surfers continuing to flock to Siargao, the country should easily …

The Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA) of 2022 was enacted to promote the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in the Philippines, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and democratize access to cleaner transportation. Yet barely years into its implementation, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) appears to be undermining both the spirit and the letter of the law by pushing to …

By HERMAN TIU LAUREL China has concluded its annual Central Economic Work Conference in Beijing, held from December 10, setting the economic direction for 2026—the opening year of the People’s Republic of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030). After 75 years of sustained development, China’s economic planning remains consequential not only for itself but also for developing economies across Asia, Africa, …

THE Social Security System (SSS) announced last Saturday that it has set various programs up for implementation in 2026 primarily aimed at benefiting its millions of members nationwide. By September next year, the System will carry out the second to the last tranche of the Pension Reform Program for another round of pension increase. This was announced by SSS President …