The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed Thursday night that no Filipinos were reported injured or killed following a massive wave of airstrikes that struck Beirut, even as casualties climbed sharply. Authorities said the bombardment has left around 300 people dead and about 1,200 others wounded, with hospitals in the Lebanese capital now operating at full capacity. Initial reports from …

A Senate inquiry may be launched if local fuel prices fail to mirror the recent drop in global oil costs, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian warned Thursday, raising concerns over possible inconsistencies in pump price adjustments. Gatchalian said regulators are closely tracking domestic price movements following reports that global crude prices have eased, stressing that any disconnect could trigger congressional action. “Kapag …

The Philippine National Police (PNP) will intensify monitoring of basic goods in markets and supermarkets nationwide, following a commitment from manufacturers to keep prices unchanged until April 30. The move supports the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla to maintain price stability amid global uncertainties and rising oil costs. PNP chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. …

A proposal in the Senate is pushing for temporary financial relief measures to help Filipinos cope with rising fuel costs, with Senator Mark Villar filing a resolution urging government lenders to ease repayment terms. Filed as Senate Resolution No. 366, the measure calls on state-run financial institutions—including the Social Security System, Pag-IBIG Fund, Land Bank of the Philippines, Development Bank …

Malacañang last week dismissed a surge of online rumors about the health of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., saying he remains focused on addressing the country’s energy crisis despite what officials described as a coordinated disinformation campaign. Dave Gomez, acting secretary of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), said the agency’s Anti-Fake News Desk has detected a “sudden and coordinated surge” …

Around 15,000 overseas Filipino workers have reached out to the government for possible repatriation as tensions in the Middle East persist, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said. In a statement released last week, the agency said assisting OFWs—especially those in distress or considered vulnerable—remains a top priority, with those who have completed documentary requirements already being processed and monitored …

More than 431,000 members and pensioners have qualified for the refund program of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), with ₱6.2 billion already disbursed as of April 8, the state pension fund said last week.. The agency said the rollout signals the start of crediting refunds to approved applicants, with proceeds expected to be received within three working days after …

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Thursday said the government could save as much as ₱25.6 billion this year after enforcing a 20-percent reduction in non-essential spending across agencies. The cost-cutting measure is part of efforts to create fiscal space as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to disrupt global energy supply and drive up fuel prices. …

A senator is calling for the ускорation of the tax bureau’s digital transformation as the April 15 income tax filing deadline approaches, saying improved systems would ease compliance and boost collections. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said he has filed Senate Resolution No. 316 to review the integrated digital system of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), in line with the requirements …

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed optimism that a reported two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran could help ease global oil supply pressures and bring relief to the Philippines amid continuing fuel price volatility. He said any move that could lead to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz would be particularly significant, as it would allow normal shipping …