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.
Alex Eala has added another shiny line to an already crowded résumé, earning a spot on TIME100 Next 2026 as the only tennis player among the magazine’s list of rising figures shaping the future.
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) have signed a compromise agreement that resolves years of legal battles over regulatory fees, clearing the way for additional public funding. Signed Thursday at the ERC headquarters in Pasig, the pact settles long-running disputes over permit fees and annual supervision and regulation charges, with both sides agreeing to set aside their differing positions on the matter.
The Department of Agriculture has issued supplemental guidelines for importing up to 250,000 metric tons of frozen fish and aquatic products to keep supplies steady during the lean fishing season.
Alex Eala’s Asian Games gold-medal dream began Thursday like a script written for a Filipino tennis fairy tale. It ended instead with a familiar piece of hardware.