The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has reported a sharp rise in the number of foreign nationals deported during the first half of 2025, with figures nearly doubling compared to the same period last year. From January to June, a total of 1,422 foreign nationals were deported for various immigration violations—up from 717 in the same period in 2024. BI Commissioner …

The Senate, acting as an Impeachment Court, has affirmed its respect for the Supreme Court’s ruling that declared the impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte unconstitutional. In a statement Friday, Senate Impeachment Court spokesperson Atty. Regie Tongol said the decision validates the chamber’s cautious stance in holding off proceedings until legal uncertainties were clarified. “The Senate, sitting as an …

The Philippines and Canada have reaffirmed their growing cybersecurity partnership, with both nations pledging closer collaboration in cyber defense during a high-level bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Digital Defense Symposium 2025 in Singapore. Department of National Defense (DND) spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arsenio Andolong said the July 22 meeting focused on enhancing joint efforts in information-sharing and capacity-building to …

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday rolled out an expanded version of PhilHealth’s primary healthcare benefits under the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) — a revitalized initiative aimed at bringing essential health services closer to Filipinos, especially those in far-flung areas. Speaking at the program’s launch at Gateway Mall in Quezon City, Marcos said YAKAP Para Malayo sa Sakit …

Every year, we see the same heartbreaking scenes: homes submerged, roads impassable, families stranded — and, tragically, lives lost.  The recent devastation brought by Severe Tropical Storm Crising and the enhanced southwest monsoon is no longer just a wake-up call.  It is an alarm that’s been ringing for decades — and we continue to hit snooze. At least 12 lives …

For years, many Filipino farmers have been unable to break the cycle of debt and dependency that often accompanies farming. But through SM Foundation’s Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan (KSK) Farming Program, the beneficiaries are now finding ways to generate a reliable income from agriculture. Among those whose lives have changed is Connie Flores, a mother of six and a 2023 graduate …

Filipinos can now invest in government securities using their GCash mobile wallets, thanks to a new platform launched by the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) in partnership with GCash, PDAX, and Bonds.ph. The platform, called GBonds, allows users to purchase Treasury bills (T-bills) for as low as P500, with no fees for top-ups and withdrawals and standard rates for buying …

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) have joined forces to reinforce the safety and resilience of the country’s key financial market systems. Through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed at the BSP office, the two institutions committed to safeguarding interconnected platforms such as the BSP’s Peso real-time gross settlement system (PhilPaSSplus) and the …

BDO Unibank Inc. reaffirmed its support for foreign investors by welcoming members of the Kyoto Employers Association (KEA) during their first official business mission to the Philippines. Held at BDO’s Makati headquarters, the visit was organized in partnership with the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Osaka. The Japanese delegation, composed of KEA’s next-generation leaders aged 50 and below, represented …

Philippine National Bank (PNB) has once again earned international recognition after being named Best Bank for Investment Research in the Philippines at the Euromoney Private Banking Awards 2025. This marks the bank’s fifth consecutive win in the category since 2021. “This award further underscores our dedication to provide dependable insights to our stakeholders,” said Executive Vice President Francis Albalate, PNB’s …