The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

To ensure the quality and timely implementation of big ticket infrastructure projects, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will create an ad-hoc body called Infrastructure Monitoring Advisory Groups (IMAGs).

By Alvin I. Dacanay Box-office hit Heneral Luna led all contenders in the 34th Luna Awards of the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) with 11 nominations, the latest addition to the long list of honors earned by the acclaimed screen biography of the iconic Philippine Revolutionary Army commander.

For its 30th season, the Philippine Ballet Theatre (PBT) is bringing the country’s folklore to life onstage with its second production, titled Filipino Masterpieces, featuring Darangen ni Bantugen at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) from Sept. 23 to 25.

For admirers of Philippine literature, September has always been marked by literary events, and not just because it begins with the awarding of winners of the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature. But for this year, this month is shaping up to be quite a busy one, particularly in the first half.

World-famous Filipino premium rum Don Papa Rum is inviting Filipino artists to reimagine and reinterpret its award-winning label and design its secondary packaging by joining the 2016 Don Papa Rum Art Competition.

Guests can stir their taste buds to life at Makati Shangri-La, Manila with its “Grand Getaway: Savor the Experience” package, which lasts until Oct. 6.

By Luis Leoncio  The Mergers and Acquisition Office (MAO) of the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) is inclined to recommend the rejection of the P70-billion mega telecommunications deal among conglomerates San Miguel Corp. (SMC), Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) and Globe Telecom, as it would practically close the door to a new entrant in the telecommunications industry. 

In affirming its investment grade of ‘BBB-” on local telecom giant Globe Telecom Inc., international credit-rating firm Fitch Ratings Inc. said Globe will still have the edge over rival Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT), with its higher average revenue per user (Arpu) postpaid subscribers. 

The Department of Energy (DOE), aggressively pursuing the updated Philippine Energy Plan that aims to increase the country’s power supply and source a substantial portion of it from nuclear energy, has taken the first concrete step toward possible nuclearization by holding talks with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). 

Authorities continue to investigate the bombing attack in Davao City last Friday that killed 14 people, including children, and wounded 71 others and prompted President Duterte to place the country under a state of lawlessness that gave the military a bigger role in restoring order.