The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

A little less than 5 ‘o clock in the afternoon on the final day of filing for candidacy, Marissa Del Mar, founding chair and first nominee of No. 49 OFW Partylist, together with second nominee Jerry Alfante, was still hesitant whether or not to foray into the May 2022 elections. As they see time passing, with only a few minutes …

The scene between Bauan, Batangas policeman Marlon (Mark Anthony Fernandez) and his son watching a home video of ferocious animals preying at each other is a giveaway. The opening scene alone, the torture of actress Cataleya Surio in the hands of Marlon foreshadows the brutality of man to dominate humanity sans impunity. It says all about the theme of “Kaliwaan,” …

SM Prime, through the leadership of Disaster Resilience Champion Mr. Hans Sy, has officially launched their EV Charging Stations at SM Aura, SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, and SM North EDSA.As part of the SM Green Movement initiative, the SM Group continues its commitment to helping make the planet greener through projects such as this. SM’s E-vehicle Charging Stations …

Asiamoney recognizes Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank) as the 2022 Best Domestic Private Bank in the Philippines. According to Asiamoney, performance indicators noted for consideration include relative performance versus competitors, successes in achieving market share, coping with difficult or changing market conditions, among others. The Bank’s Private Wealth team was established in 2016. Since then, the business has rapidly …

The Asset, a financial publishing and research institution, has awarded Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank) the Best Multi-product Financing Deal and the Best Syndicated Loan Deal at its recent Triple-A Awards. Metrobank was given the Best Multi-product Financing Deal in the Philippines as an Arranger for Cebu Air, Inc.’s USD 840 million capital raising and liabilities re-profiling. The deal …

Harnaaz Sandhu, winner of Miss Universe 2021, arrived in the Philippines last Sunday, April 24, 2022, where she held court at the Platinum Skies Hangar Domestic Airport Compound. Hosting the welcome were Narvacan City Mayor, Hon. Chavit Singson and Architect Richelle Singson-Michael, LCS Group Vice Chairperson, Ako Ilokano Ako Partylist first nominee, and Host Committee Chairperson of the 65th Miss …

The act of giving kindness in any way possible to those who are in need, especially those in vulnerable and grassroot communities, has always been imprinted in the whole system of the SM group. Staying true to its commitment of spreading social good, SM Foundation and The SM Store worked together to distribute shoes and sanitizers for children across the …

The Philippines will need to prepare for the inevitable impact of the war in Ukraine should the crisis drag out, according to the Department of Finance (DOF).  Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III gave this determination to representatives of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank who Dominguez urged to craft “rescue packages” for economies that may be …

Several election watchdogs expressed apprehension on COMELEC’s automated election system (AES) allegedly due to lack of procedures and a failure to comply with the law.  The National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel), Automated Election System Watch (AES Watch), and Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CenPEG) said the system cannot not be trusted.  “It is not compliant with the …

A different vaccine brand as a second booster shot can be “more effective” in warding off the COVID-19 virus, according to the Department of Health (DOH).  Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje, head of the National Vaccination Operations Center, supported the recommendation of government’s Vaccine Expert Panel (VEP) to use a different vaccine brand as second booster shot.  Cabotaje said, “A different …