The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

Old wounds reopened at the confirmation of charges hearing before the International Criminal Court in The Hague, where prosecutors laid out what they described as a systematic and well-coordinated killing spree linked to the so-called Davao Death Squad. Though former President Rodrigo Duterte was physically absent, his shadow loomed large over the proceedings. For families of the victims, the hearing was more than a …

IN a historic first for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) has officially turned over five cutting-edge, battery-operated, ultra-portable AI X-ray units to the Philippine Navy (PN). The ceremonial handover, led by PCSO General Manager Melquiades Robles and received by Vice Admiral Jose Ma. Ambrosio Ezpeleta, marks a massive leap in Navy’s maritime …

DR. Gay Jane P. Perez took her oath of office as Ad Interim Director General of the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA), administered by Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto at Malacañang Palace.  The Director General of PhilSA holds the rank of a Cabinet Secretary and serves as the Presidential Adviser on Space Matters. Dr. Perez will further advance the Philippines’ Yamang …

THE  Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) released the results of the inaugural monthly Business Expectations Survey (BES), marking the start of a more frequent assessment of business sentiment in the Philippines. The shift from a quarterly to a monthly survey will allow the BSP to monitor business confidence more closely and respond more effectively to rapidly changing domestic and external …

WHEN  it comes to what really moves spirits off the shelf and into a glass, taste and design matter.  The first showcases the product’s craftsmanship and character, whether it’s worth having over and over again or just once.  The latter, meanwhile, contributes to its visual storytelling, helping shape first impressions and inviting customers to discover what lies beyond its brand …

FOR  the second time, Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA), the Philippines’ premier tourism transit and transfer hub, has been recognized as one of the world’s best, winning the 2025 ASQ Best Airport Award in Asia-Pacific for the 5-15 Million Passengers Category for outstanding customer experience. The Airport Service Quality (ASQ) program is the only global benchmarking initiative that measures passenger satisfaction …

If Vice President Sara Duterte believes that floating her presidential ambition will intimidate those weighing impeachment complaints against her, she may be overestimating the power of political theater. A declaration of intent to run in 2028 might rattle allies and fence-sitters in the House of Representatives, but it carries no weight in The Hague, where judges of the International Criminal Court are tasked with trying her …

REALPOLITIKBy Benjie Alejandro In politics, as in Rome, the knife comes when least expected. The Ides of March reminds us that power can collapse overnight, often from within, and the Philippines today stands at a similar crossroads.  What was once a calendar marker in ancient Rome has become a metaphor for betrayal, upheaval, and sudden turning points — themes that …

LOVE FOR ALL​By: Virginia Rodriguez There are champions, and then there are symbols. As Bongbong Marcos (PBBM) himself praised, Manny Pacquiao is not only a legendary fighter but a living testament to the strength, discipline, and heart of the Filipino. He is not just a world champion in boxing; he is a champion for every Filipino who dares to dream …

The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Tourism (DoT) recently signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) that would align their respective programs, infrastructure and promotions to promote the Philippines as a leading food and gastronomy destination in Asia. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said, “This is not simply about adding tourist stops to farms, a visit that …