The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has approved the amended rules on the implementation of advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) by distribution utilities (DUs), in a move seen to accelerate the digital transformation of the country’s power distribution sector. AMI integrates smart meters, communication platforms, and data management systems that allow both consumers and DUs to access real-time data on power consumption, …

Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank) posted a record net income of ₱37.3 billion in the first nine months of 2025, up 4 percent year-on-year, driven by strong loan expansion and higher trading income. In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) last week, the bank reported a 12.1 percent annual increase in pre-provision operating profit to ₱59.2 billion. …

Most Philippine banks are expected to maintain their credit standards for both businesses and households in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). Results of the BSP’s latest Senior Bank Loan Officers’ Survey (SLOS) released last week showed that a larger percentage of banks anticipate keeping their lending rules—covering interest rates, collateral requirements, loan …

LANDBANK achieved a significant 42% jump in net income to ₱35.65 billion as of the third quarter of 2025, already surpassing its full-year earnings of ₱35.36 billion in 2024, and underscoring the Bank’s robust financial trajectory and performance above historical averages. Total assets expanded to a record ₱3.45 trillion, supported by growth in loan and investment portfolios. This solidifies LANDBANK’s …

An international group of audit practitioners has named a senior executive of state-owned Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) as “Chief Audit Executive of the Year”, citing his contributions in elevating the internal audit function in the government service. Senior Vice President Ryan R. Gabinete, head of DBP’s internal audit group, was recently conferred the honor by the Institute of …

MALAYBALAY, Bukidnon — The Philippine Sports Commission’s vision of establishing a regional training center for national boxers has officially come to life. In a landmark move, the PSC and the Provincial Government of Bukidnon signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) designating the Bukidnon Sports and Cultural Complex in Malaybalay as a premier training ground for elite Filipino boxers in Mindanao. …

StandingsNorth — Manila 19-0; Pasig 16-3; Cagayan 15-4; San Juan 14-4; Manila-AQ 13-6; Cavite  8-11; Quezon City  7-11, Isabela  5-15; Paranaque  1-17.  South — Toledo 15-2; Camarines  11-7; Iriga  11-8; Bacolod  10-7, Koronadal   8-11; Zamboanga   7-11; Mindoro   4’14; Tacloban   1-17; Bangkok  1-18. DEFENDING champion Manila Load Manna Knights brought down San Juan Predators, 11-10, to keep …

In a city once defined by conflict, Marawi is now rising with renewed spirit — using sports as a language of unity, solidarity, and peace in Mindanao. The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), in partnership with the Bangsamoro Sports Commission (BSC) and the Mindanao State University (MSU), convened the Mindanao Sports Summit — a milestone that highlighted how sports can bridge …

Sprinter Pi Durden Wangkay and Naomi Cesar — both medalists in the recent third Asian Youth Games (AYG) in Bahrain — will be both the youngest member of the Philippine Athletics team in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand from December 9 to 20. For winning the gold in boys’ 200-meter dash with a time of 21.76 in …

MANILA, PHILIPPINES, – FWD Life Insurance, in partnership with Junior Achievement (JA) of the Philippines, rolls out its flagship financial literacy program JA SparktheDream to 39 schools on its third year. Kicked off by a face-to-face session at Pembo Elementary School in Makati City, FWD volunteers mentored over 200 grade six students through dynamic, activity-based learning.   As part of its …