The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

The Anti-Terrorism Council is stepping up efforts to address terrorism and emerging threats, Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said following its 37th meeting on Thursday. “During the meeting, the Executive Secretary directed all concerned agencies to deliver concrete, coordinated actions grounded in vigilance, unity, and compassion for the nation’s welfare,” the Office of the Executive Secretary said in a Friday statement. …

Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano on Friday urged the government to channel financial assistance through a unified online system to reduce red tape and limit political interference. Under his proposed Senate Bill 155, the Department of Information and Communications Technology would lead the rollout of the eGov Super App or similar digital platforms for aid requests. “The online or …

The Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI) and the Department of Foreign Affairs–Office of Cultural Diplomacy (DFA-OCD) have signed a memorandum of understanding to boost the global profile of Philippine textiles. DOST-PTRI Director Julius Leaño Jr. and DFA-OCD acting head Arlene Magno formalized the partnership, which seeks to promote “Telang Pinoy” as both a technological innovation and …

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said last week it is prepared to secure the upcoming third part of the anti-corruption protest, the Trillion Peso March, scheduled later this month. National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) units will lead the deployment of personnel and resources for the event.  PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said, “We are now reviewing and …

The Department of the Interior and Local Government has raised the bounty for information leading to the arrest of fugitive businessman Charlie ‘Atong’ Ang to ₱20 million. “We are increasing the bounty for Atong Ang to ₱20 million, for information leading to his arrest. We’re serious here,” DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Thursday, noting the reward will come from confidential …

The Philippine National Police recently cautioned content creators against using police uniforms without authorization, citing legal repercussions. PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said impersonating law enforcement, even for entertainment, is a serious offense. The warning follows a viral photo of a vlogger wearing the PNP ceremonial blue uniform, which violates the law on unauthorized use of uniforms or …

The Department of Foreign Affairs said Friday that Austria expressed interest in acceding to the ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation during a meeting in Vienna between DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Austrian Minister for European and International Affairs Beate Meinl-Reisinger. In a statement, Lazaro described the Philippines and Austria as “like-minded partners” sharing a commitment to the rule …

By Tracy Cabrera  Philippine Transportation Company (PhilTranCo) president and chief-executive-officer Manuel Sabban summed it all in three simple words: “Serious business losses.”  After more than a decade and century of commuter service, the oldest bus line in the country comes nearly to the ‘end-of-the-road’ with management’s decision to shut down its operations due to extreme financial difficulties.  In a letter …

Many years ago, Philippine politics operated within boundaries that felt almost immovable. Certain outcomes were simply unthinkable. That a “plain housewife” like Corazon Aquino would be thrust into history to replace her assassinated husband, Ninoy, and defeat a dictator. That her quiet, unassuming son, Noynoy, would later carry the Aquino name back to Malacañang. That the Marcos and Duterte clans—once …

​Due to insistent private demand of our publisher Ma’m Nelly, here I am in a computer shop in Pilar Village, Las Pinas City trying to eke out what would pass for a column this sleepy afternoon of Friday, February 13, the unofficial Valentine’s day of undocumented couples. First off, I would like to make clear that this attempt at column writing is purely uncompensated, thus preventing …