PHILIPPINES
Analyst
Diwa Guinigundo
Former Central Bank Deputy GovernorDatabanks
Recent Country Insights
Keeping inflation at bay could be tricky
PHILIPPINES · In Brief · 08 Feb 2025
Last January 30, 2025, the media bannered that inflation may likely fall within the target of 2-4% for the next two years. This was based on the latest BSP survey of external forecasters as contained in its latest Monetary Policy Report. Mean inflation rate was quoted at 3.1% against the central ...
Anti-2025 budget group gathers force, to hold indignant rally January 31
PHILIPPINES · In Brief · 29 Jan 2025
At the end of December 2024, we wrote that the Philippines’ national budget for 2025 may not be able to achieve those lofty goals of promoting higher food production, arresting inflation, elevating the quality of education and skills training as well as public health. Despite the protestations co...
Food security emergency could risk inflation
PHILIPPINES · In Brief · 20 Jan 2025
The beginning of 2025 does not seem to augur well for the Marcos government. It is under heavy siege for the so-called “sub-optimal” 2025 budget, for some, “unconscionable” budget. It is accused of corruption at all levels of government. Even retired generals and uniformed officials of the police...
National Budget for 2025: more than a zero-sum game
PHILIPPINES · Report · 31 Dec 2024
The Philippines’ P6.3 trillion national budget for 2025 may not succeed in delivering on the lofty social goals enunciated by President Marcos in his July 2024 State of the Nation Address for 2025. The allocations involving some realignment disfavored the priority sectors of education, health and...
Beating inflation: Doing beyond the usual stuff
PHILIPPINES · In Brief · 30 Dec 2024
During the weekend, the Philippines’ central bank, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) announced that the December inflation rate could have tipped the scale at 2.3% -3.1%, well within the 2%-4% target. If inflation hits the mid-point of this forecast at 2.7%, the actual whole-year inflation ra...
BSP's Less Restrictive Monetary Policy to Remain Data-Driven
PHILIPPINES · In Brief · 20 Dec 2024
As we indicated in two broadcast interviews on the next move of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) the other day, the Philippines’ monetary authority was likely to sustain its less restrictive monetary policy. And yesterday, the BSP adhered to such monetary stance and reduced by 25 basis point...
In bad need of a fuse
PHILIPPINES · Report · 19 Dec 2024
With the impeachment complaints having been filed against the Philippines' Vice President Sara Duterte, it is expected of Congress, in exercising its power of impeachment, to investigate the issues of public concern not only because the matters in question put forward involve issues of governance...
Political noise and its more serious impact
PHILIPPINES · In Brief · 29 Nov 2024
It started with unity, and it might as well end up in one single stroke to rock the Philippine economy. The political situation in the Philippines seems to be getting more explosive from an economic standpoint. Indeed, the unity team of President Bongbong Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte wa...
Trump win: Philippines' gain or loss?
PHILIPPINES · Report · 25 Nov 2024
On November 5, 2024, the United States held its 60th quadrennial presidential election, with Donald Trump emerging as the 47th US president by a decisive majority. Trump, together with his vice president, JD Vance, are scheduled to be inaugurated on January 20, 2025. With a change in the ruling p...