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’s return to the WTA Tour lasted barely a night. The Filipino star, seeded 13th at the Wuhan Open despite slipping to No. 19 in the latest WTA rankings, fell to Chinese qualifier Shi Han, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, on Monday night at Dongfeng-Voyah Center Court.
Philippine tax technology startup Taxumo is expanding beyond freelancers and small businesses into the enterprise market, aiming to turn mandatory electronic invoicing into a growth engine that could eventually rival its tax-filing business.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) is pitching opportunities in healthcare, digital health, rehabilitation, and wellness resorts to foreign investors as the Philippines seeks to establish itself as a regional medical and wellness tourism hub.
Foreign direct investment inflows to the Philippines experienced a visible slowdown from January to July 2026, dropping to a net total of $4.1 billion compared to the levels recorded during the same period last year.