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 Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) have filed 105 expropriation cases for the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR)—the most ever filed for a single infrastructure project by the agency.
Growth measured as the gross domestic product (GDP) is seen to have slowed sharply to 1.9 percent year-on-year in the second quarter of 2026, down from 2.8 percent in the previous quarter, according to the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI).
Globe Telecom saved more than ₱510 million on energy in 2025 by using efficient network gear and AI tools. It rolled out 20,800 new green tech items under its Green Network program to cut electricity use.
FinTech Alliance PH has welcomed clarification from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) regarding Circular No. 1238, saying the update brings much-needed regulatory certainty to the digital financial services sector and aligns with shared goals of making digital payments affordable, secure, and sustainable. Following productive talks between BSP Monetary Board members and alliance representatives, the central bank confirmed the circular sets out cost-based fair pricing guidelines and does not impose a requirement to scrap all fees. The BSP made clear that financial institutions and payment service providers are not required to remove electronic fund transfer fees entirely, nor are off-network person-to-person transfer charges limited strictly to technical switch costs. It also noted that Frequently Asked Question No. 7 should not be treated as a rigid rule allowing only switch-cost pricing.