Katherine Chan

S&P GLOBAL RATINGS revised the Philippines’ credit outlook to “stable” from “positive,” citing risks to the country’s external and fiscal position from surging energy prices due to the Middle East conflict and a slowdown in infrastructure spending. zurl.co/zPp8T

MEMBERS of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are working on expanding a regional crisis financing initiative as they deal with the economic fallout from the Middle East conflict, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said. zurl.co/gv0v0

S&P Global Ratings revises its outlook on the Philippines to stable from positive, citing the impact of the energy crisis on the country’s external and fiscal positions. Still, it affirmed the country’s “BBB+” long-term and “A-2” short-term investment grade ratings. @bworldph

The consumer price index accelerated to 4.1% in March from 2.4% in February and 1.8% in the same month last year. zurl.co/0XHwk

@bworldph Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and fuel prices, picked up to 3.2% in March from 2.9% in February and 2.2% a year ago. @bworldph

March inflation came in above the 3.8% median forecast in a BusinessWorld poll of 18 analysts and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) 3.1%-3.9% estimate for the month. This also marked the first time since July 2024 that inflation breached the BSP's 2%-4% target. @bworldph

JUST IN: Philippine inflation accelerated to its quickest pace in nearly two years at 4.1% in March, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported. This was faster than the 2.4% clip in February and 1.8% in March 2025, bringing the three-month average to 2.8%. @bworldph

The Middle East conflict threatens the Philippines’ growth prospects but a rebound in private spending and robust exports could still position the country as the second fastest growing economy in the region, AMRO said bworldonline.com/top-stories/20… by @imerinechan via @bworldph

The total outstanding loans from universal and commercial banks, net of reverse repurchase agreements, rose by 9.5% annually to P14.269 trillion in February bworldonline.com/top-stories/20… by @imerinechan via @bworldph

The BSP said the “challenging” global landscape and structural issues will keep the Philippines’ BoP under pressure until next year. bworldonline.com/top-stories/20… by @imerinechan via @bworldph

LOOK: The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) will suspend payments for BSP-acquired properties via credit or debit card and QRPh starting Wednesday, April 1, until further notice. Payments can still be made through GCash, UnionBank, Chinabank and 7-Eleven counters. @bworldph

JUST IN: Inflation was likely between 3.1% and 3.9% in March amid costlier fuel, electricity, rice and the peso’s weakness, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said. This would be faster than the 2.4% in February, but still below the BSP's 2%-4% target range. @bworldph

@bworldph THE BANGKO SENTRAL ng Pilipinas (BSP) kept its policy rate unchanged at 4.25% during a surprise off-cycle meeting on Thursday, as it sought to calm markets amid growing concerns over the impact of the Middle East war on the economy. FULL STORY HERE: bworldonline.com/top-stories/20…

BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. said oil price hitting $200 per barrel is possible but would be an extreme scenario. "If that happens, we will be forced to raise our rates in a catch-up mode," he said. @bworldph

BREAKING: The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) surprises with an off-cycle move on Thursday, keeping the policy rate at 4.25% amid rising inflation risks from the Middle East war. @bworldph

JUST IN: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr signed into law Republic Act No. 12316 or the measure granting him emergency powers to halt or cut excise taxes on petroleum products amid the Middle East crisis. @bworldph

The AMLC did not specify which BSP department Mr. David will move to. @bworldph

READ: Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) Acting Director Arnold Kabanlit will take over as the council’s officer-in-charge following Executive Director Matthew M. David's request to transfer to a new role at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). @bworldph

THE PHILIPPINE ECONOMY is expected to expand by 4.9% this year, reflecting weak domestic momentum and the energy crisis caused by the Middle East conflict, Moody’s Analytics said. zurl.co/gfoQb