The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

Philippine Airlines is temporarily suspending flights on five more routes — two international and three domestic — as the Middle East conflict continues to rattle the aviation sector. The flag carrier announced on March 26, that it will suspend its Cebu-Guam flights starting April 16 and Cebu-Ho Chi Minh City service beginning April 19, both until further notice. The Ho …

The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) marks its 31st anniversary with renewed optimism, highlighting its enduring role as a cornerstone of the country’s investment strategy and economic resilience. Established in 1995, PEZA has grown into one of the Philippines’ most effective investment promotion agencies, credited for attracting billions of dollars in foreign direct investments and generating millions of jobs across export-oriented industries. From its …

ABS-CBN unleashes its newest series “Blood vs Duty” to ignite primetime at 8 PM with intense action and compelling drama beginning April 6 (Monday), featuring a bold take on systemic abuse that puts loyalty and sworn duty to the test.  Richard Gutierrez, Bela Padilla, and Gerald Anderson lead the Kapamilya series with Baron Geisler and Barbie Imperial.  The new action-drama …

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) kept its policy rate at 4.25 percent following an off-cycle Monetary Board meeting on Thursday to assess the impact of the Middle East conflict on inflation and growth. BSP Governor and Monetary Board Chairperson Eli Remolona Jr. said the rare meeting was called due to the “fast-changing and uncertain environment” caused by the ongoing …

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said it is prepared to provide rapid financial and technical support to developing member countries (DMCs) affected by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. “ADB will deliver rapid, flexible, and scalable assistance to help countries manage immediate pressures and strengthen long-term resilience, notably fast-disbursing budget support and trade and supply chain finance to secure …

Banks in the Philippines are showing stronger adherence to Agri-Agra lending requirements, driven in part by the government’s push for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) policies, a Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas official said. BSP Assistant Governor Pia Roman-Tayag noted that more financial institutions are now meeting lending mandates and integrating ESG principles to manage governance and operational risks. “More banks …

LANDBANK and the Commission on Higher Education have partnered to advance agricultural education and fully digitalize scholarship support for nearly one million CHED scholars nationwide. The partnership was formalized by LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz and CHED Chairperson Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis during the Higher Education Summit on 12 March 2026 at the SMX Clark Convention Center in …

Chinabank is offering its HomePlus Bundle Promo with a 6.25% p.a. fixed interest rate for five years—the lowest in the market—along with a waiver of up to ₱50,000 in bank fees. Borrowers taking a ₱5 million loan over 15 years could save over ₱90,000 compared to typical competitor rates of 6.50% or higher. To qualify, applicants must apply for a …

Under the bright lights of the GameZone Tour stage, a father’s grief turned to grace as Pampanga’s best tongits player, Ahrold Tubig, won the GameZone Tour Tongits Plus Champions Cup (TPCC) Season 4 held on March 8 in Pasay City. Everyone who joined the tournament has one goal: to win the staggering P5,000,000 grand prize. Tubig’s victory was a dream …

A no-brainer partnership among the best Filipino sports organizations just got a new lease on life, with a new twist. ArenaPlus, the country’s number one PAGCOR-licensed online sportsbook, renewed its partnership with the elite Premier Volleyball League and Spikers’ Turf on Thursday, March 26, at the fabled Smart-Araneta Coliseum. On top of its continued support, the DigiPlus-owned ArenaPlus now also …