The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

Malacañang on Friday urged the public to remain calm amid viral misinformation about the 20 percent tax on interest earned from bank deposits, assuring Filipinos that their savings are untouched and that the tax is neither new nor alarming. At a Palace press briefing, Presidential Press Officer Claire Castro clarified that the tax applies only to interest income, not to …

Filipino workers eyeing global careers in the hospitality industry can soon pack their bags for Croatia, thanks to a newly signed government-to-government labor agreement between the Philippines and the Croatian government. The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) announced Friday that Undersecretary Felicitas Bay and Croatian Employment Service Director General Ante Loncar formalized the Implementing Guidelines for the Pilot Project on …

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada on Friday condemned the China Coast Guard (CCG) for tailing and obstructing the BRP Teresa Magbanua near Bajo de Masinloc, calling the incident a blatant act of aggression inside the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Estrada slammed China’s continued harassment of Philippine vessels, saying the latest provocation on July 15 was part of …

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has lowered the crisis alert level in Iran from Level 3 (voluntary repatriation) to Level 2 (restriction phase) following what it called “positive developments” in the country’s security landscape. The downgrade takes effect immediately, weeks after Israeli airstrikes targeted Iranian nuclear sites, sparking tensions in the region. Despite the alert level adjustment, the DFA …

Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon has ordered a full investigation into the case of a missing jewelry box that was eventually recovered at NAIA Terminal 3, calling for greater accountability and heightened airport security measures. In a statement last week, Dizon directed the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) to probe the incident and ensure that such lapses “do not happen again.” …

In an era where swiping and scrolling have become second nature even to toddlers, the filing of Senate Bill No. 595 by Senator Erwin Tulfo signals a timely and necessary intervention. The proposed legislation, which seeks to regulate the use of social media among minors—completely barring access for children 12 years old and below except for supervised educational use—boldly confronts …

The Philippines, represented by seven-time UAAP champion National University,  put up a brave stand before losing to Colombia, 16-25,  14-25, 24-26, in the 2025 FISU World University Games men’s volleyball competitions at the Horst-Korber Sportzentrum here Saturday. Mac Arvin Bandola and Jan Llanfred Abanilla kept the FIlipino flag flying high against the taller and more-experienced Colombians, scoring eight points each. …

Philippine Dancesport delivered a first for the country in the recent World Dancesport Federation – Sanctioned Asian Championship by making it to the final round in the standard competition held in Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam. Locally top-ranked Filipino husband and wife couple Sean and Ana Aranar made history by finishing 5th overall in the competition that attracted 16 countries …

THE campaign for the country’s hosting of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship went full throttle following the partnership launch with the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) on Tuesday via a festive train trip from the busy Recto Station to the LRT-2’s depot in Santolan in Pasig City. “Starting today [Tuesday], people [using Line 2] will see promotional materials …

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is prepping up for a major comeback at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum (RMC), finally returning to its former territory with the Philippine Sports Commission clearing all roadblocks for its homecoming. Opened in 1934, the Rizal Memorial Coliseum was established 10 years after the founding of the NCAA and quickly became the premiere venue for …