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.
In a major corporate move that underlines its long-term strategy, Lopez-led First Philippine Holdings Corporation has formally turned down an acquisition proposal from global private equity giant Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. The decision preserves the parent company’s full equity control over its power generation arm, First Gen Corporation, despite an attractive financial premium offered by the international investor.
Globe has thrown its full support behind Education Secretary Sonny Angara’s call for telcos and social media platforms to join hands in strengthening online protections for Filipino children, as the Department of Education seeks broader industry collaboration to secure young people in digital spaces.
Damage to the agriculture sector from the southwest monsoon and Tropical Cyclones Luis and Maymay has surpassed P1 billion, according to the 7 a.m. advisory today from the Department of Agriculture’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center. The figure marks a sharp rise from the P689.66 million reported just last Thursday.
The partnership between InLife Benefits and PhilHealth could help close a persistent gap in preventive healthcare by bringing the government’s YAKAP program closer to private-sector employees and making routine screening easier to access.