The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

Defense Secretary Gilberto Eduardo Gerardo “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. has reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to global peacekeeping efforts, announcing new pledges during his address at the United Nations (UN) Peacekeeping Ministerial in Berlin. Speaking before international dignitaries at the pledging session, Teodoro committed the deployment of Filipino military and police personnel as field military observers and officers in various UN-mandated missions …

The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) is exploring ways to support the logistics and e-commerce operations of the Kadiwa ng Pangulo program to help ensure the regular availability of affordable and fresh agricultural products for consumers. PHLPost Postmaster General Luis Carlos, in a news release issued Friday, said the effort is in line with the agency’s mission to assist local farmers …

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has summoned the driver and the registered owner of a Toyota Vios that figured in a series of collisions in Noveleta, Cavite last week, prompting a formal investigation and preventive measures. LTO chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II confirmed on Friday that a Show Cause Order (SCO) was issued to both the female driver and …

The recent observation by European Union (EU) election observers that the Philippines’ midterm elections were marred by rampant vote buying and political violence should be a sobering call for national reflection, not indignation or denial.  Their assessment, which paints a dismal portrait of the democratic process in action, is not an affront to our sovereignty but a mirror held up …

Chinese technology leader Alibaba reported a 7% year-on-year increase in revenue for the first quarter of 2025, propelled by surging demand for artificial intelligence (AI)-driven services and strong performance in its cloud computing segment. In its latest earnings disclosure, Alibaba posted a revenue of 236.5 billion yuan (USD32.6 billion) for the quarter. A key contributor to this growth was its …

The Philippines and Chile are accelerating efforts toward a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), following a bilateral meeting between trade officials held in Jeju, South Korea. In a statement released Friday, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque met with Chilean Vice Minister of Trade Claudia Sanhueza on May 15 during the Asia-Pacific Economic …

The Department of Energy (DOE), in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), formally handed over three Mobile Energy Systems (MES) to the National Power Corporation–Small Power Utilities Group (NPC-SPUG) on Friday. Developed through the USAID Energy Secure Philippines program, the MES units are mobile, solar-powered platforms equipped with battery storage and designed to supply electricity in …

Snack food giant Monde Nissin Corp. is gearing up to begin construction of a large-scale manufacturing facility in northern Luzon, with initial operations targeted between 2026 and 2027. In a virtual briefing held last week, Monde Nissin Chief Financial Officer Jesse Teo shared that the new plant is intended to expand production of its well-known biscuit brands, including SkyFlakes and …

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has turned over P12.67 billion in dividends to the National Treasury, representing 75 percent of its net income for 2024. The amount significantly exceeds the 50 percent remittance requirement under Republic Act 7656, or the Dividends Law. “Our 75 percent dividends remittance is in line with Finance Secretary Ralph Recto’s directive to government-owned …

Shell Pilipinas Corporation (SPC) remains optimistic about sustaining business growth despite persistent local and global economic challenges. In a recent disclosure, the company reported a net income of P740 million for the first quarter of 2025, down from P1.4 billion in the same period last year, due to heightened market competition and volatility. However, core earnings grew by 26 percent, …