The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

Washington—Hillary Rodham Clinton spent more than $18 million hiring hundreds of employees in the first three months of her presidential campaign, creating a national operation that vastly outpaces her rivals in both parties. She has the money for it, having raised more than $46 million for the Democratic primary contest.

By Teresa Cerojano / The Associated Press Taxing cigarettes up to 75 percent of their retail price is among the most effective ways to reduce tobacco use, but too few governments levy high enough taxes, according to a World Health Organization (WHO) global report. The WHO’s 2015 report on the global tobacco epidemic was released in Manila to salute the …

By Jerry Maglunog Local money changers mostly accept only four currencies and gift certificates (GCs) of a popular mall chain because these are the notes that have several users. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said the foreign-exchange shops do not violate any provision in their license in the purchase of popular gift checks.

Delegates to the Regional Social Dialogue Conference, held recently in Manila, have drawn up recommendations in pursuit of an “inclusive, stable, and sustainable Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) with an inclusive, stable and sustainable Asean financial structure.”

The Philippines is not exempt from economic setbacks as a result of global difficulties, such as the Greek debt crisis, but it remains attractive to portfolio investors, as shown by the volume of foreign portfolio investments.

The National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) recently signed the National Evaluation Policy Framework that calls for the purposive conduct of independent evaluation of government programs and projects.

Tokyo—Japan scrapped the design of the Olympic stadium for the 2020 Tokyo Games because of soaring costs, and said it will reopen bidding for a new plan, in a stunning reversal that leaves the 2019 Rugby World Cup without a main venue.

Beijing—Snow won’t be a problem for Beijing and co-bidder Zhangjiakou if they are awarded the right to host the 2022 Winter Olympics, according to ski industry experts.

London—After winning titles again on Wimbledon’s grass, Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams showed they can cut a rug, too.

New York— Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Rodham Clinton laid out her agenda to help American workers last Monday, pledging to build a “growth and fairness economy” if elected to the White House that would boost wages that have remained stagnant since the Great Recession.