The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

Senators  Raffy Tulfo and Grace Poe  reminded the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to ensure that sanitary facilities in bus terminals nationwide should be free of charge as mandated by the law. During the joint hearing of Senate committees on public services, public works, and finance, Tulfo said the use of restrooms in bus terminals across the country …

The people from various parts of the country, and the world, have spoken. Give these showbiz denizens chances once more to prove their mettle in public service for the next three years in the local/regional/district/sectoral posts or a six year-term in the Senate. Overseas voting for Filipinos to choose senatorial and party-list reps was held way ahead of the scheduled …

Compared to the star-studded funeral wakes of recently hailed deaths of Superstar Nora Aunor, Asia’s Queen of Songs Pilita Corrales and the original Kilabot ng mga Kolehiyala (college girls’ heartthrob) Hajji Alejandro, award-winning actor Ricky Davao, all held at the Heritage Park and Crematorium in Taguig City, the four-day and five-night wakes for comedian Amay Bisaya was less starry. The …

What makes a father? Is it blood, presence, choice—or circumstance? This June, “Fathers of Circumstances” brings together five deeply moving films from Japan and the Philippines that challenge conventional ideas of fatherhood. The screenings will take place on June 14–15, 2025 at Red Carpet Cinemas, Shangri-La Plaza, curated by Eunice Helera, a film programmer and festival coordinator. The program is …

Known for his bold cinematic voice, Filipino filmmaker Gilb Baldoza is featured in the Japanese-organized film festival “Fathers of Circumstances” with this social absurdist film “Kinakausap ni Celso ang Diyos,” combining social realism with elements of magical realism in his storytelling. “Kinakausap ni Celso ang Diyos” won Best Film at the 2024 Quezon City International Film Festival. Glib is notably …

The Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival continues to sail as it opens its doors for new entries for the Full-Length Film category of its 2026 edition. The deadline for submissions is on or before 6PM of JUNE 6, 2025 (Friday). The country’s biggest independent film festival continues its pursuit of innovative and excellent filmmaking as it celebrates 21 years of …

Additional and upgraded electronic gates will be installed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to hasten immigration processing of passengers. Transportation Secretary Dizon said adopting next generation e-gates is part of the government’s effort to improve the travel experience, in compliance to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to prioritize the convenience and safety of passengers. Secretary Dizon said the …

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) formally terminated the contract for building the Unified Grand Central Station that links LRT 1 and MRT 3 after prolonged delays in construction. DOTr sent a Notice of Termination of their contract with the consortium of BF Corporation and Foresight Development and Surveying Company (BFC-FDSC). “Now that we have terminated the contract with BF Corp. …

A couple of world-class beaches in the Philippines – Entalula in Palawan and Bon Bon in Romblon – improved their rankings in the “World’s 50 Best Beaches” list. Entalula Beach rose to No. 2 from No. 4 last year. Entalula Beach was only topped by Italy’s Cala Goloritze, which was only No. 19 in the 2024 edition of the list. …

The Singapore Airlines (SIA) Group has signed agreements with Neste and World Energy to acquire Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and SAF certificates respectively, supporting its decarbonization program while gaining further valuable insights into the pathways, standards, and certification systems in the renewable fuel landscape. With the SAF acquisition from Neste, a renewable fuel producer, SIA Group earns 1,000 tonnes of …