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.
The Philippine property market is slowing, but developers are not exactly heading for the exits. Instead, a weak economy, higher borrowing costs, and geopolitical uncertainty are prompting a more deliberate approach to launches, leasing, and expansion, according to Colliers Philippines.
The Philippines is pushing for a coordinated ASEAN approach to illicit tobacco trade, proposing that exporting countries require cigarette shipments to comply with the regulatory and tax requirements of their declared destination markets.
InLife is stepping up efforts to make insurance easier to access as Filipinos increasingly turn to digital platforms for financial and everyday services.
Converge ICT Solutions Inc., the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and TikTok Shop have launched a program aimed at helping Filipino micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) expand their online businesses through connectivity, e-commerce tools, insurance and mentorship.