Japan’s health ministry has approved the over-the-counter (OTC) sale of the emergency contraceptive pill Norlevo, marking the first time such a drug can be purchased without a prescription in the country. The pill, manufactured by Aska Pharmaceutical Co., is expected to become available as early as this fiscal year, according to a person familiar with the matter. Norlevo is effective in preventing …
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By Rose de la Cruz For the longest time it has been common knowledge that smuggling has been thriving because Chinese suppliers have been paying government officials to turn a blind eye on their operations. Through the years, the operations have evolved from clandestine to outright open smuggling. It was not surprising that in the recent hearing at the Senate by …
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Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. urged rice retailers to follow the maximum suggested retail price of rice (MSRP) of P43 per kilogram or prepare to be given show cause orders, or warnings, for why they violate the government-mandated price ceilings for the staple. DA Assistant Secretary Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra said the department is sending shortly warning letters to four Metro …
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To help small municipal fishermen against more sophisticated commercial fishing boat, the Makabayan bloc of lawmakers have filed the Atin ang Kinse Kilometro bill. Called Atin ang Kinse Kilometro (15 Kilometers is Ours), the bill seeks to “uphold sustainable fishing practices over destructive and environmentally harmful commercial fishing operations.” The Makabayan solons who filed the bill are Kabataan Representative Renee Co, …
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The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has amended the rules governing Islamic Banking Units (IBUs) to attract more players and strengthen the country’s Islamic finance industry. In a statement last week, the BSP clarified that IBUs will no longer be required to maintain separate capital since they operate as divisions or departments within conventional banks, even while observing Shari’ah principles …
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The Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) successfully raised ₱35 billion from its dual-tranche Treasury bond (T-bond) offering on Tuesday, reflecting strong investor demand for government securities. The Auction Committee made a full award of the reissued seven-year and 25-year T-bonds. The reissued seven-year T-bond, which has a remaining term of six years and 10 months, fetched an average rate of …
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LANDBANK reaffirmed its commitment to disaster response by providing ₱3.2 million in financial aid and ₱3.1 million worth of relief packs to earthquake-hit communities in Davao Oriental and Cebu on October 23, 2025. Finance Secretary and LANDBANK Chairman Ralph G. Recto and President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz led the simultaneous relief operations. Ortiz said the Bank remains “steadfast in …
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The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) marked another milestone with the opening of BPI Wealth Singapore, a wholly owned subsidiary located in Marina Bay. The new office strengthens BPI’s presence in Asia and connects Filipino and regional clients to one of the world’s leading financial hubs. The launch gathered top officials from the Philippines and Singapore, led by BPI …
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The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has expressed full readiness to share data with the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) that could expose more politicians who received questionable campaign contributions from government contractors. Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said the poll body is willing to cooperate with the ICI and other investigative agencies to help uncover potential corruption links between public officials …
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Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III is seeking to give more teeth and transparency to his proposed Independent People’s Commission (IPC), a body envisioned to investigate corruption across all government sectors—not just infrastructure. Speaking during the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights hearing, Sotto said the IPC’s mandate must go beyond the limited scope of the executive-created Independent Commission …
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The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business