The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to protecting the nation amid growing regional uncertainties and heightened global tensions. In a statement, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. emphasized that the military remains resolute in fulfilling its mandate under the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the country’s commander-in-chief. “Today, the …

On her first day as Cebu’s new governor, Pamela “Pam” Silagan Baricuatro assured her constituents that public services will continue without disruption despite a rocky transition process from the previous administration. Baricuatro, who won a decisive victory over outgoing Governor Gwendolyn “Gwen” Garcia in the May 12 midterm elections, lamented the lack of cooperation from her predecessor’s camp in facilitating …

Families of victims in the controversial war on drugs strongly opposed former President Rodrigo Duterte’s request for interim release from detention in The Hague, warning that granting such privilege could endanger their lives and destabilize the country. In a pleading dated June 25, 2025, Paolina Massidda, principal counsel of the Office of Public Counsel for Victims, urged the International Criminal …

The recent tragedy in a small-scale mining site in Nueva Vizcaya, where several miners suffocated to death inside an illegally dug tunnel, is a stark reminder of the hidden dangers lurking beneath the surface of poorly regulated mining operations.  Once again, the nation is confronted with the devastating cost of neglect and inaction—lives lost not to nature’s fury, but to …

BEYOND ELLIPTICALBy Rose Marie de la Cruz Escalating conflict between Iran and Israel– highlighted by the recent bombing of three Iranian nuclear facilities– would certainly bring supply imbalances for fertilizers, chemicals and other petrochemical products that would have far reaching effects on industries and agriculture.  An analysis done by SUR+ International, a global leader in trading excess chemical inventory and …

The red-striped soft-scale insect (RSSI) affecting sugar plantations in four provinces has damaged 1,505.82 hectares as of June 18– from just 87.04 hectares last May 22, prompting the Sugar Regulatory Administration to advise local government units affected to declare a state of calamity on these infected plantations. The affected barangays rose to 79 from 24 while affected farmers increased to …

The Philippine Coconut Authority was sent a tall order to plant 50 million coconut trees by 2026 amid rising global demand for coconut products particularly for nutritional and pharmaceutical industries and to enable the country to regain its reputation as a top producer and exporter of this product. The President wanted  ordered the Department of Agriculture to ensure that this …

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is finalizing a draft bill that would restore critical functions of the National Food Authority (NFA) to stabilize rice supply and prices in the country. The draft legislation follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s vision of food security where  every Filipino household can access affordable staples, especially rice. Crucial to every Filipino’s nourishment, rice holds economic, …

Unable to meet current local requirements for onions, the Department of Agriculture is allowing the importation of red and yellow onions to meet such demand amid soaring domestic prices. DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said he had approved onion imports as allium inventories were expected to thin out in the latter part of the year, based on the latest …

By Robert Andaya A three-peat for  Immaculada Concepcion College in the National Capital Region Athletic Association (NCRAA). Bannered by Alfred Flores,  ICC brought down  De La Salle University-Dasmarinas Patriots, 83-77, and capture the title in the NCRAA Season 31 men’s basketball tournament at the Strike Gym in Bacoor, Cavite. Flores, who was named as Finals MVP,  came through with a …