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.
Philippine equities held their footing above the 6,000 level as caution continued to dominate trading, with analysts balancing global headwinds against pockets of domestic resilience.
GoTyme Bank has partnered with the Philippine Statistics Authority to become one of the first local banks to connect directly to the National ID Authentication Services. This integration lets customers open accounts in as fast as five minutes without scanning or uploading physical papers. Instead, they may use their PhilSys ID QR code, card number, or basic name and birth details for real-time, official checks. The move removes common hurdles that keep many Filipinos from accessing banking services, supporting the bank’s goal of easier, more inclusive finance for all.
Maibarara Geothermal Inc. (MGI) has signed a deal with Lopez Group affiliate ThermaPrime Drilling Corp. to carry out exploratory drilling across Batangas and Laguna from 2026 to 2027. Led by the Yuchengco group, MGI said the work will check untapped areas for possible new geothermal power facilities. The project will involve up to four wells drilled to depths of up to 3,000 meters, with operations set to begin in October this year and finish by May 2027. MGI currently runs a 32-megawatt geothermal plant in Batangas.
Aboitiz Power Corporation reported a 41 percent increase in core net income for the first six months of 2026, reaching P18 billion compared to P12.8 billion recorded in the same period last year. The company shared these figures in a disclosure filed with the Philippine Stock Exchange on Wednesday.
The Manila Electric Company, or Meralco, reported a 3.8 percent increase in its consolidated core net income for the first six months of 2026, reaching P26.5 billion from the P25.5 billion recorded in the same period last year. The company shared these figures at a briefing held on Wednesday, noting the growth came even as overall energy sales saw a slight decline.