The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

Manila, Philippines – To welcome the new year, Kenny Rogers Roasters is launching its ‘I LOVE ME BETTER’ 2026 Calendar as part of its continuing commitment to inspire deliciously healthy living into a shared, daily journey.  More than just a date tracker, each day features uplifting affirmations and mindful reminders focused on nutrition, sustainable healthy lifestyle choices, and personal balance—encouraging each …

By Robert Andaya BANGKOK, Thailand — The Filipino athletes will be the center of attention when the Philippines takes part in the opening ceremonies of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games at the Rajamangala  National Stadium here Tuesday. This was stressed by Philippine Olympic Committee  (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino during  an interview with Manila-based sportswriters  after attending the SEA Games …

BATASAN, Quezon City — House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos appeared before the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) after his name surfaced in allegations raised by former lawmaker Elizaldy ‘Zaldy’ Co regarding supposed insertions in the national budget.  In appearing before the Commission, President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. (PBBM)’s son was not treated as an accused and the ICI does not issue …

By Tracy Cabrera  VATICAN CITY, Rome — It’s not only the Philippines which has been shaken by greed and corruption connected with the flood control scandal, even the Catholic Church has been struggling from financial losses wrought by mismanagement and irregularities.  Pope Francis tried to stem the widening gap in Vatican’s dwindling finances and during his final illness before his death, …

AMIDST government’s slim chance of recovering hundreds of billions in squandered funds connected to the flood control scandal, a non-government organization (NGO) is floating the idea that could somehow appease the anger felt by majority of Filipino taxpayers over widespread corruption among high-ranking government officials.  In a recent interview, veteran journalist and Filipino Consumers for Reform (Filcore) spokesperson Tracy Cabrera …

By DIEGO C. CAGAHASTIAN WHILE the Philippines will most likely fail to attain the status of upper-middle-income-country (UMIC) by the end of this year, Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan exudes confidence that the country will finally make it next year or in the years to come. Balisacan admitted that the country’s economy needs to perform exceedingly well for several years …

Holiday shoppers and companies taking advantage of the traditional holiday spending are being warned of possible cyber-attacks or online fraud, according to a cyber-security company. Fortinet, a cyber-networking and security firm, said in a recent seminar the ongoing increased spending and remittances are creating subtle opportunities for cyberattacks. Bambi Escalante, Fortinet country manager for the Philippines, said Filipinos are particularly …

Former public works Secretary Rogelio Singson, after recently resigning from the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), appealed to lawmakers to immediately pass a bill that aims to strengthen ICC’s power in investigating corruption in flood control projects. Singson lamented ICI’s lack of resources that limits its powers to investigate politicians and their collaborators from the private sector involved in anomalous …

The Supreme Court (SC) unanimously ordered the return of P60-billion remitted funds to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation or PhilHealth and prohibited any further transfer to Philhealth funds to the National Treasury. SC spokesperson Camille Sue Mae Ting said, “The SC, through the ponencia of Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier, unanimously ordered the return of PhilHealth funds previously transferred to …

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) decided to withhold any fare increase for public utility jeepneys, both traditional and modern, considering the widespread economic impact of recent natural calamities. Acting DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez said it was not the right time for a fare hike. He said, “A fare hike will have a big impact in the economy as a whole, …