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.
Fuel prices willl see mixed adjustments for the fourth week in a row, taking effect Tuesday morning, October 27. Gasoline will go down by P0.30 per liter, while diesel rises P1.20 per liter and kerosene goes up by P0.50 per liter, as confirmed by major suppliers including Petron and Seaoil, following the Department of Energy’s announcement Monday.
The Department of Energy (DOE) confirmed Monday the government is pursuing multiple financing avenues to kickstart the country’s nuclear energy program, with the United States offering at least $5 billion in potential funding support.
Ayala Land Premier (ALP) has begun turning over units at Gardencourt Residences, bringing its garden-centered residential concept to life at Arca South, the 74-hectare mixed-use estate in Taguig.
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has suspended the Oct. 31 deadline for taxpayers to post a registration badge online, responding to privacy and technical concerns raised by online sellers, content creators and other taxpayers.