The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

The economic team held back-to-back consultations with members of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Philippine Army (PA) recently to further discuss and refine the proposed Military and Uniformed Personnel (MUP) Pension Reform Bill. “When we started the roadshow, ibang-iba po ang proposals namin. Pero dahil nakikinig kami, nag-iba na po ang mga proposals. Yung mga makikita nyo po ngayon, …

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) said last week it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) which will ensure prioritization of digitalization. In a statement, BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio raised the urgency of the execution of digitalization which will give way for the agency to provide a better service to the …

The path to success is often marked by resilience and unwavering determination. However, for individuals hailing from financially disadvantaged households, this journey requires an extra layer of practicality and resourcefulness.  Lea Pedarse, an alumna of the SM Foundation’s Scholarship Program, exemplifies these qualities as she triumphs in the recently concluded Licensure Examination for Certified Public Accountants (CPALE), securing a spot …

Instead of travelling 20 minutes via tricycle and spending P60 for fare, Sheena Bautista, a resident of Barangay Nancalobasaan in Pangasinan, now has the option to visit the nearest Alfamart in their neighborhood that is only a few meters from her house.  Located near the town’s residential cluster in Urdaneta City, Alfamart, a part of SM Investments Corporation’s food retail …

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has considered favorably the shelf registration by Petron Corporation of up to 50 million preferred shares. In its meeting on recently, the Commission En Banc resolved to render effective the registration statement of Petron covering Series 4 preferred shares, subject to the company’s compliance with certain remaining requirements. Petron may offer the preferred shares …

A subsidiary of Ayala Corp., one of the country’s conglomerates, has invested in a biotechnology startup based in Scotland that aims to address challenges in food security. In a statement on Friday, Ayala Corporate Technology Innovation Venture (ACTIVE) Fund said it invested in Roslin Technologies, which specializes in stem cell technology for cultivated meat. Through this innovation, meat is grown …

By Robert Andaya The event: the 9th FIBA World Basketball Championship. The date: October 1-14, 1978. The venues: Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City and Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila. President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos  formally declared the opening of the 14-nation basketball showcase. Yugoslavia, led by Dražen Dalipagic, defeated Soviet Union, 82-81, in overtime to  capture the championship before an adoring …

By Robert Andaya Filipino pole vault champion EJ Obiena continued his impressive showing by securing a bronze medal at the Oslo Diamond League-Bislett Games in Norway last Friday. Despite falling short of his Asian record and personal-best of 6.0 meters, Obiena’s performance was enough to land him on the podium against a strong field of athletes that included his Olympic …

Asia’s first chess grandmaster and Hall of Famer Eugene Torre will play simultaneous chess exhibition matches at the City Auditorium in Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental on July 8. National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Board of Director Engr. Rey C. Urbiztondo said Torre, the “Living Legend” of Philippine chess will hold a simul with select students and chess enthusiasts …

It was a dream come true for Nika Juris Nicolas of Pasig. At just 10 years old, Nicolas achieved her dream after being granted the title of National Master by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) last June 9. Despite being the only female participant in the boys 11-under division, Nicolas  captured medals in all categories –  silver …