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.
Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan cautioned lawmakers that a prolonged Middle East conflict could trigger a severe economic shock in the Philippines, with surging oil prices threatening to reverse gains in poverty reduction.
Treasury bill yields continued to ease at Monday’s auction as investors positioned for a possible shift toward monetary easing by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) amid weakening economic momentum.
Central banks around the world must prepare to seize both the opportunities and navigate the challenges brought by artificial intelligence while upholding their key missions of keeping prices steady and financial systems secure.
STI Education Systems Holdings Inc. (STI Holdings) grew its consolidated assets by 10 percent to P18.69 billion in the financial year ended June 2026, as strong tertiary enrollment and continued investments in campus infrastructure and education technology supported its financial performance.
Monde Nissin Corp. has reduced its 2026 capital expenditure budget to P5.4 billion from about P6.5 billion, prioritizing a new biscuit manufacturing plant in Northern Luzon as it navigates softer noodle volumes and intensifying competition from premium imports.
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has stepped up its drive to keep electricity supply steady, issuing 24 show cause orders to 13 power generation companies whose facilities repeatedly went offline beyond allowed limits. Released on October 14, 2026, these orders require the firms to submit verified explanations on why their units exceeded the allowable equivalent unplanned outage limits set under existing reliability rules.