ECCP at Work

Philippine Q1 growth may slow amid Iran war

The Philippine economy likely slowed in the first quarter as the prolonged Middle East war weighed on activity, with growth expected to fall below recent quarters and miss the government’s full-year target, the Economy chief said.

DOF: Philippines affirmed as top investment choice in Asia

Global investment firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR) Inc. has reaffirmed its strong confidence in the Philippines, citing the country as among its top investment destinations in Asia.

Governance framework on AI soon out–DepDev

The Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DepDev) is set to release the country’s first-ever governance framework on artificial intelligence (AI) in the coming months, as the government moves to accelerate adoption across regions.

UAE exit from OPEC may ease oil prices if output rises — analysts

The United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) exit from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies (OPEC+) could benefit oil-importing countries like the Philippines if it leads to higher output and softer prices, analysts said.

Asia-Pacific region set to lead AI-powered shopping growth

The Asia-Pacific region is expected to lead the adoption of agentic artificial intelligence (AI) in shopping within the next two years, backed by its fast-growing middle class that will support retail sales and commerce, according to professional services firm Deloitte.

Senators push to cut electricity taxes, ease consumer burden

Senators are pressing for a closer look at the taxes embedded in electricity bills, warning that these charges continue to weigh heavily on Filipino households already grappling with rising costs.

Prolonged Iran war may push Philippine inflation past 8% —  HSBC

Headline inflation could surge past 8% this year if the Middle East conflict remains unresolved, which could push the Monetary Board to hike policy rates to up to 6%, the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corp. Ltd. (HSBC) said.

War beyond May seen to push key rate to 6%

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) can raise the key policy rate to as much as 6 percent this year as the fertilizer shock is yet to jolt the Philippines, which could eventually lead to higher prices of rice, a main staple food in the Philippines.

Philippines leads talks on ASEAN petroleum security

The Philippines and its Southeast Asian neighbors are pushing for the formalization of a regional mechanism to address potential oil and gas supply disruptions spurred by raging Middle East tensions.

Weak readiness, structural hurdles hamper AI-driven financial inclusion

Artificial intelligence (AI) could help bring more Filipinos into the formal financial system, but structural barriers and weak institutional readiness would limit its impact and introduce potential risks, the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) said.

PH pushes regional food security response as DA turns to farm infrastructure

The Philippines is pushing stronger Asia-Pacific coordination on food security as the Middle East conflict drives up fuel and fertilizer costs, while moving on the domestic front to build farm infrastructure meant to cut post-harvest losses and strengthen supply chains.