The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

By Diego C. Cagahastian The Monetary Board, the policy-making body of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), decided to prune the nation’s interest rates by 25 basis points at its meeting last December 11. It was the MB’s last meeting for the year, and marked the fifth consecutive time that the rate was decreased. This time around, the Board lowered …

The government, specifically the Senate and the House of Representatives, passes financial laws mandating banks to support  agriculture, small businesses and rural cooperatives by giving them loans. In the case of the agriculture sector, a certain percentage of the banks’ loan allocations should be given to the farmers. But this is seldom observed, with banks giving priority to condominium developers …

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has taken up the cudgels for small borrowers, especially those who have been victimized by predatory lenders online. The SEC issued an order putting a cap of 6 percent per month or 0.2 percent a day as nominal interest rate that lending firms can charge on loans worth P10,000 and below. The corporate regulatory …

The country is paying more for interest on debts, specifically P723.2 billion from January to October this year, accounting for 37.4 percent of debt service. The  Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) said  debt payments increased during the first ten months of the year, driven by a double-digit jump in interest payments to domestic and foreign lenders. The government’s debt payments …

Manila, Philippines – FWD Life Insurance Corporation (FWD Philippines) has been recognized by the Insurance Commission’s Q3 2025 report for outstanding industry performance, ranking No. 1 in Single Premiums, No. 2 in New Business Annual Premium Equivalent (NBAPE), and No. 2 in Total Premiums. In the 11 years FWD has been in the Philippines, it has been driven by its …

Manila, 12 December 2025 — niko and … brings a burst of anime energy to Manila as its limited edition Evangelion collection launches today at SM Mall of Asia. EVA fans, collectors, and fashion lovers get first access to exclusive pieces created for the 30th anniversary of Neon Genesis Evangelion. The drop blends style, nostalgia, and Japanese creativity. It also …

BANGKOK — Hokett Delos Santos and John Cabang Tolentino shone brightest on a big and memorable day for athletics in the 33rd SEA Games at the Supachalasai National Stadium here on Friday. Delos Santos, the 23-year-old rising star from University of Santo Tomas, claimed top honors in the men’s decathlon after finishing with a total of 6,917 points, highlighted by …

BANGKOK — Hangzhou 19th Asian Games bronze winner Patrick Coo raced to his first ever SEA Games podium finish, claiming a bronze medal in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games BMX men’s time trial event on Friday night at the BMX Stadium inside the Kamol Sports Park here. Coo, 23, flashed speed and endurance but could not prevent Thailand from scoring …

PATHUM THANI, Thailand—The Philippine men’s baseball team extended its dominance with a 5-3 win over host Thailand to take the gold in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games at Queen Sirikit Baseball Stadium here. Veteran pitcher Romeo Jasmin delivered a stellar job on the mound with 10 strikeouts over eight innings before lefty reliever Amiel de Guzman slammed the door shut …

PATTAYA, Thailand – Team Philippines’ golf campaign in the 33rd SEA Games here is heading toward another disappointing finish, mirroring its struggles in the previous edition, as its players slid further away from medal contention after three rounds at the Siam Country Club here on Saturday. Rolando Bregente Jr., who electrified the field with a brilliant opening-round 65 that briefly …