The Philippines’ tourism sector posted a more nuanced performance in 2025: employment continued to rise, but its overall economic footprint softened, pointing to a recovery that is steady in participation but uneven in value generation.
The Philippine economy is entering 2026 on uneven footing, with growth expected to slow slightly and risks looming large, economist Jonathan Ravelas said on Wednesday.
Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, chairman of Ayala Corp., struck a cautiously optimistic tone on the Philippines’ economic outlook, projecting a rebound as near-term risks begin to ease and structural strengths remain intact.
The Philippines faces a markedly weaker growth trajectory after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) cut its 2026 expansion forecast to 4.1 percent, citing intensifying global shocks and a softer domestic backdrop.
Rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the looming effects of El Niño are emerging as twin headwinds to Philippine growth, with remittances and inflation pressures forming a potentially volatile mix.
Slower economic growth, elevated inflation, and softer consumer demand weighed on GT Capital Holdings Inc.’s businesses, pulling consolidated net income down 10 percent to P23.3 billion in the first nine months of 2026, even as its banking and automotive units continued to generate substantial earnings.
Strong investor demand enabled Bank of Commerce (BankCom), an affiliate of San Miguel Corp., to raise P17.4 billion from its latest bond offering, more than 3.4 times the minimum P5-billion issue size despite a challenging market environment.
The Board of Investments (BOI) remains confident of meeting its P1-trillion investment approvals target this year, but is shifting greater attention to the policy environment and industrial planning needed to sustain project inflows beyond its own investment pipeline.
ACEN is tightening its investment pipeline, preparing to surrender some renewable energy service contracts, and reshuffling its leadership as it shifts from rapid expansion to improving project returns, operating efficiency, and profitability.