The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

A review of the Rice Tariffication Law to determine if it had complied with its commitment to keep prices of rice at affordable levels and help rice farmers through various initiatives is needed. Comebacking Rep. Teodoro Baguilat Jr. (Ifugao) said the RTL was supposed to prop up the country’s rice sector through collection of tariffs from imports. The RTL, passed …

After setting a P58 per kg suggested retail price (SRP) for rice last January 20, the Department of Agriculture is setting a P380 per kg SRP for liempo (belly) and P350 per kg for kasim (shoulder) and pigue (hind legs) beginning March 10. The SRP would be adopted in markets of the National Capital Region to ease the financial strain …

With the ban on March 4 on importation of domestic and wild birds, poultry products from Indiana, New York and Pennsylvania because of bird flu outbreaks in these states, the Department of Agriculture expects local  chicken prices to soar. In a press release, the DA said the temporary ban, contained in Memorandum Order 14, aims to  protect the health of …

By Robert Andaya The results:Game 1—TNT 95, Ginebra 89 First blood to TNT Tropang Giga. With import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson doing it all, the Tropang Giga brought down BArangay Ginebra, 95-89, to taje the  headstart in their  PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. As usual, Hollis-Jefferson led the Tropang Giga’s balanced scoring attack as …

The Department of Agriculture (DA) reported on Friday the confiscation of PHP2.83 billion worth of smuggled agricultural products following 71 successful enforcement operations in 2024, marking a significant increase from P1.87 billion in 2023. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. emphasized that enforcing the Anti-Economic Sabotage Act is crucial in strengthening the government’s crackdown on agricultural smuggling.  He noted that last …

Cebu Classic overhauled a 21-point deficit in the fourth quarter to stun Caloocan, 77-76, on Thursday in its return to the Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-MPBL 2025 Season at the Pasay Astrodome. Limuel Tampus poured all his 16 points in that span to power the Classics, absent the past four years, to the 30-team tournament’s biggest reversal thus far. Trailing 46-65, …

Inquirer sports editor Francis T. J. Ochoa has been elected president of the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA), the country’s oldest media organization. Ochoa takes over from Philippine Star sports editor Nelson Beltran, whose term saw the PSA soar to newer heights. Jasmine W. Payo, the Rappler sports editor, was named vice president while Manila Bulletin sports editor Ramon Bonilla was …

Big time prospect Carl Jammes Martin will finally get an opportunity for the first time to showcase his fighting skills in the world’s boxing Mecca — Las Vegas — as he will be fighting Colombia’s Jose Sanmartin on March 22 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada.  After beating his first two opponents in Mexico last year, the 25-year-old …

GAC Motor Philippines’ remarkable milestones such as the rapid dealership expansion and significant sales growth were cited in its recent 2025 Dealer Conference, reaffirming its commitment to expanding its network, strengthening partnerships, and delivering world-class mobility solutions to Filipino consumers. The conference served as a platform to acknowledge the contributions of its dealer partners in establishing the company as a …

Ford Philippines brings back this month the Ranger Raptor Premium Care, one of its best-selling service packages, with the customers getting the Ranger Raptor 2.0L Bi-Turbo Diesel 4×4 10 A/T through Bank of the Philippine Islands or EastWest Bank getting the complementary comprehensive suite of service offerings that comes with 5-year scheduled service plan and 5-year emergency roadside assistance on …