The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

Government agencies have been directed to realign unused allocations from the 2025 national budget to help bankroll the administration’s energy emergency programs following instructions from Malacañang to review agency spending and identify available funds. Budget Secretary Rolando Toledo issued National Budget Circular 603 ordering all departments, bureaus, offices and instrumentalities, including state universities and colleges as well as government-owned and …

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has raised alarm over the continued rise in the prices of basic commodities, warning that surging global fuel costs and escalating tensions in the Middle East could further weaken the Philippine economy. Speaking during a media forum in Malate, the chair of the Senate committee on economic affairs said inflation, which recently climbed to 7.2 percent, may …

The Government Service Insurance System has thrown its support behind House Bill No. 8834, or the KALINGA Act of 2026, amid concerns over a possible inflation surge beyond the current 7.2 percent level driven by the ongoing energy crisis. The proposed measure, now under deliberation by the House Ad Hoc Committee on Legislative Energy Action and Development (LEAD Committee), seeks …

The Philippine government is looking to leverage its participation in Green Expo 2027 as a platform to strengthen agricultural innovation, sustainability and long-term economic security amid concerns over a possible global economic slowdown triggered by the ongoing energy crisis. Manila has reaffirmed its commitment to join the international gathering, which will run from March 19 to September 26, 2027 at …

The Department of Energy has expressed support for proposals seeking the removal of the value-added tax (VAT) on electricity as part of efforts to cushion the impact of the ongoing energy crisis on consumers. Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said the agency remains consistent in supporting measures that could help reduce electricity costs, in line with the directive of President Ferdinand …

The Philippine manning and crewing industry is set to launch a nationwide campaign against child sexual abuse material (CSAM) as part of efforts to curb online exploitation and pornography involving women and children within the maritime sector. The initiative will formally begin during a CSAM awareness forum on May 12 at the Okada Manila, where seafarers, shipowners, manning agencies, labor …

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vietnamese Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng on Thursday agreed to pursue a long-term rice trade mechanism aimed at ensuring stable supply and reinforcing food security cooperation between the Philippines and Vietnam. The agreement was reached during their bilateral meeting held on the sidelines of the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu. Both leaders underscored the importance …

A Quezon City Regional Trial Court has dismissed the petition filed by lawyer Manases Carpio seeking to halt the impeachment proceedings against his wife, Vice President Sara Duterte, ruling that the judiciary cannot interfere with the constitutional powers of the House of Representatives in impeachment cases. In a five-page order dated May 6, Quezon City RTC Branch 81 also denied …

The public auction of six luxury vehicles confiscated by the government failed on Thursday after no bidders registered to participate, according to the Bureau of Customs. In a social media advisory, the bureau announced that the auction was declared a failed bidding “due to the absence of registered bidders.” Among the luxury units placed under sealed bidding were a 2019 …

The Presidential Task Force on Media Security and the National Bureau of Investigation have signed an agreement to strengthen cooperation in addressing attacks, threats, and killings involving members of the media. The memorandum of agreement was signed on Thursday by PTFoMS executive director Undersecretary Jose Torres Jr. and NBI Director Melvin Matibag during a ceremony held at the NBI office …