The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

The gunfire incident – reported live by media – inside the Senate building marks a dangerous escalation in the country’s already overheated political climate. Whether the volleys were the result of another attempt by National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents to arrest Sen. Ronaldo “Bato” dela Rosa or a product of confusion and misinformation, the episode exposed the fragility of institutions supposedly tasked with upholding order and the rule of …

​This month of May has a good chance of being the most eventful month  this year.  ​It all began, of course with May 1,  being Labor Day.  All the other days of the year are capital days, ha ha. That is the reason why the increase in minimum wage does not become a reality since May 2 up to April 30 of the following …

The chaotic shooting incident inside the Senate building revealed more than a breakdown in security protocols. It exposed the growing collision between law enforcement, political loyaltyand constitutional authority at the highest levels of government.  At the center of the controversy is Sen. Ronaldo “Bato” dela Rosa, who is facing an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in connection with crimes against humanity …

LOVE FOR ALL​By: Virginia Rodriguez In an era when global diplomacy is often dominated by superpowers and geopolitical tensions, the recent meeting between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Paraguayan President Santiago Peña Palacios at Malacañang Palace offers a refreshing reminder that meaningful partnerships can still begin with shared opportunity rather than shared conflict. The May 11, 2026 bilateral meeting was …

REALPOLITIKBy Benjie Alejandro The Senate, which ought to be a fortress of principle and statesmanship, was once again engulfed in chaos this May 13. Authorities declared that there were no casualties, and for that we should be thankful. Yet the true casualty was the integrity of the institution itself. The chamber of democracy, meant to be a venue for intelligent …

By DIEGO C. CAGAHASTIAN The local semiconductor industry stands to realize unprecedented growth when plans for the Luzon Economic Corridor under the Pax Silica initiative of the United States materializes, although many sectors have expressed concern if these developments will indeed result in blessings for Filipinos. The Marcos administration has reserved 1,619 hectares of land in Tarlac for the establishment …

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has been actively helping the Philippines, its small businessmen and entrepreneurs, along with ordinary Filipinos, in these times of great hardship and economic challenges. In a meeting between ADB President Masato Kanda and President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. at the Malacañan Palace,  the multilateral lender vowed it is ready to provide more funding as the country …

The Department of Energy (DOE)  said on Friday that several new power facilities have been completed and may help augment the 2,4000 megawatts that the grid lost after two major transmission lines tripped this week. These new energy facilities, which can generate up to 1,400 megawatts, are being prepared to be connected to the country’s power grid, DOE Undersecretary Mario …

SM Supermalls and the People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) formally strengthened their commitment to empowering Filipino job seekers through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) held at the SM Supermalls Headquarters in Pasay City. This partnership reflects SM’s steadfast support for PMAP’s HumanITy mission—a vision that emphasizes a human-led, digitally enabled, and future-ready Philippines. Building on …

The first three months of 2026 proved to be a test of resilience for Bloomberry Resorts Corporation. The glittering gaming floors of Solaire Resort Entertainment City, usually bustling with high rollers, fell unusually quiet as a persistent chill swept through the VIP and Premium Mass segments. This market slowdown hit the company’s flagship property hard, dragging Gross Gaming Revenue down …