The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

Malacañang on Friday said it is Vice President Sara Duterte’s responsibility to attend congressional deliberations on the proposed 2026 budget of the Office of the Vice President (OVP). Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the decision rests entirely with Duterte, who earlier set two conditions for her attendance at the hearings. “Kung ‘yun po ‘yung gusto niyang gawin, kung ayaw …

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has uncovered hundreds of irregular late birth registrations and blocked more than a thousand certificates of live birth nationwide as part of ongoing reforms to strengthen the country’s civil registry system. At the Senate budget hearing of the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) and its attached agencies on Friday, PSA National Statistician Undersecretary …

State-run Social Security System (SSS) has opened its calamity loan program for members affected by the magnitude 6.9 earthquake in Cebu and recent tropical cyclones. In a statement Friday, SSS said the program was launched in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the instruction of Finance Secretary and Social Security Commission Chairperson Ralph Recto to …

The Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) is proposing a ₱15.34-billion budget for 2026 to boost government planning and development programs, with stronger emphasis on disaster risk reduction, resilience, and climate adaptation. During the agency’s budget presentation on Friday, Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said the proposed allocation will enable DEPDev and its attached agencies to strengthen programs that safeguard communities …

The recent flurry of corruption cases filed by the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and other government agencies offers a familiar mix of hope and cynicism for the Filipino public. Dozens of complaints now implicate regional DPWH engineers, contractors and even legislators. On the surface, this crackdown signals a long-overdue reckoning. But …

The magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Bago City, Cebu, on September 30 shook more than just the ground—it rattled a nation already grappling with the weight of corruption, poor governance, and deep regional inequalities. As the rubble is cleared and aftershocks still threaten already damaged homes and buildings, we must take stock not only of what was lost, but what can …

The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has upgraded its Ginhawa Max Loan Buyout program to help members free themselves from high-interest loans and predatory lenders. GSIS President and General Manager Arnulfo “Wick” Veloso said the enhanced program enables government workers to consolidate and buy out expensive loans with GSIS, offering lower rates and more flexible terms. “The Ginhawa Max Loan …

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Friday cautioned the public against persons and groups offering supposed assistance to scam victims through social media platforms, warning that such schemes are meant to defraud them a second time. In a statement, the SEC said these offers circulate via Facebook pages, online groups, and other platforms, and typically involve promises to recover …

The wholesale price index of construction materials in the National Capital Region (NCR) slipped by 0.2 percent in September, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported Friday. The decline was slower than the -0.5 percent recorded in August, mainly due to an uptick in the heavily weighted index of concrete products, which rose by 0.2 percent from a 0.6 percent drop …

The Semiconductor and Electronics Industry Advisory Council (SEIAC), chaired by the Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (OSAPIEA), has mapped out a five-year action plan to build a skilled workforce and strengthen the country’s position in the global semiconductor and electronics industry. The plan was presented during the council’s second meeting, where discussions …