The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

IT entrepreneur Dr. Cezar T. Quiambao has emerged in the forefront of equipping the poorest of the poor in Bayambang, Pangasinan, with tools to better their lot and with their self-worth intact, their imagination fired up and their lives turning for the better. 

What presidential aspirant Mar Roxas is doing now remindsone of a challenger in a boxing match trying too hard to unseat a reigning champion.

Tokyo—Japan’s Cabinet approved a record-high military spending plan, endorsing plans to purchase pricey US surveillance drones and F-35 fighter jets as Tokyo steps up cooperation with Washington amid China’s increasingly assertive activity in regional seas. 

Birmingham, Alabama —Severe weather has plagued the southern US during Christmas week, and the misery continued as a tornado touched down in north-central Alabama on Christmas Day. 

Economic managers said the foundation have is in place to ensure continued long-term improvement in fiscal health. 

By Riza Lozada The Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co. (Metrobank), which is the country’s biggest lender, will exercise its option to redeem the entire capital security it floated in the international market worth $125 million on February 15 next year which is the First Optional Redemption Date.

Three infrastructure projects on transportation, agribusiness financing, improvement of prison facilities and marine environment monitoring were approved by the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Board, headed by President Aquino, before Christmas. 

By Daryl Rose Virtudazo  Twenty former employees of the Manila Toll Expressway had a Merry Christmas after they were awarded P550,000 each or a total of P11-M as settlement of their awards for separation pay, attorney’s fees and full back wages. 

The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) government is set to file cases against 16 contractors that failed to complete the construction of school buildings four years after the contracts were signed. 

Presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte and his running mate, Senate Majority leader Allan Peter Cayetano, will push for the completion of the Mindanao Railway System if they get elected in 2016.