capitalism – Author Carlo Carrasco

BMI Sees Philippines GDP Growth Slowing Down To 5.2% In 2026

November 3, 2025October 25, 2025carlocarrasco

BMI, a unit of Fitch Solutions, officially lowered its 2026 gross domestic product (GDP) for the Philippines at 5.2% pointing a series of factors such as remittances slowdown, weaker investor sentiment, US tariffs on Philippine goods and the effects of the flood control corruption scandals, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…

Fitch Solutions’ unit BMI has sharply lowered its 2026 Philippine growth forecast to well below the government’s six- to seven-percent target, citing an expected slowdown in remittances, a weaker trade balance, muted investment sentiment, and downside risks to government spending stemming from the flood control fiasco.

“We expect remittance growth to slow due to tighter US [United States] immigration policy and a one-percent remittance tax on transfers from the US starting in 2026,” BMI said in a commentary published on Thursday, Oct. 23.

“A slowdown in remittances will weigh on domestic consumption, which will have an outsized impact on growth given the domestically driven economy,” BMI explained.

Against this backdrop, BMI has slashed its 2026 gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast for the Philippines to 5.2 percent, one-percentage-point (ppt) lower than the 6.2 percent it projected previously.

If realized, this would also fall below this year’s growth goal of 5.5 to 6.5 percent, and 2024’s actual pace of 5.7 percent.

Another policy by US President Donald Trump that could drag down the local economy is the 19-percent tariff on Philippine exports, but zero tariffs imposed on select American imports.

This US-Philippines trade setup, according to BMI, “will weigh on the trade balance in 2026.”

Goods exports growth in August was the slowest in 2025 as US tariffs took effect and exporters’ front-loading of outbound shipments ended.

The latest Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data showed that goods exports grew by 4.6 percent year-on-year in August, marking the slowest increase since the 1.9-percent decline in December 2024

BMI also believes investor sentiment will “likely” remain muted next year as “erratic US trade policies will weigh on global investor sentiment and limit foreign direct investment inflows [FDIs].”

Domestically, government spending could bear the impact of a scenario where the ongoing flood control probe leads to the unearthing of more corruption cases tied to infrastructure projects beyond flood control.

“It could lead to even tighter scrutiny on government spending and reduce spending substantially below fiscally programmed levels,” BMI said. Capital outlays had dropped by 10 percent to ₱112.9 billion as of August, according to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

Infrastructure spending is expected to hit ₱1.51 trillion in 2025, ₱1.56 trillion in 2026, ₱1.69 trillion in 2027, ₱1.9 trillion in 2028, ₱2.03 trillion in 2029, and ₱2.2 trillion in 2030.

Meanwhile, BMI retained its 5.4-percent Philippine growth forecast for this year, still below the lowered full-year target.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Are you convinced that due to several internal and external factors, economic growth of the Philippines will be slower this year and next year? Do you agree with BMI’s findings about the Philippine economy?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

BPI Warns Public About Rise Of Smishing Scams Ahead Of Christmas Season

November 2, 2025November 2, 2025carlocarrasco

With the Christmas season approaching, Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) warned the public about the rise of smishing as criminals have changed their strategies and used more sophisticated technology to steal people’s money, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…

Ayala-led Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) is cautioning clients about a sharp, pre-holiday surge in online banking fraud linked to smishing, noting that criminals’ tactics have evolved from simple text scams to using highly sophisticated tools to steal money.

“Consumer complaints are increasing… a lot of it is seasonal. During Christmas, when people receive their bonuses, these cases really go up,” Jon Paz, BPI enterprise information security officer and data protection officer, said during the bank’s cybersecurity roundtable with the media on Wednesday, Oct. 22.

Paz reported that around eight out of 10 online banking fraud cases last year were perpetrated through smishing attacks using International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) catchers and rogue apps.

He further noted that there were almost zero IMSI-catcher-related fraud cases in 2024, but incidents began appearing around December and skyrocketed by the second quarter of this year.

“Some of the authorities reported that those who were caught were reporting to Chinese nationals,” Paz added.

An IMSI catcher is a fake cell tower device used by scammers to intercept mobile signals and steal users’ personal and banking information.

Meanwhile, a rogue app is a malicious or fake mobile application that tricks users into granting permissions or entering credentials, allowing scammers to harvest personal and banking data.

Despite the increasing number of consumer complaints in the banking industry, Paz noted that BPI’s risk tolerance is “low—one incidence of fraud is one too many for us.”

While the bank cannot disclose its total allotment for app enhancements, BPI Chief Technology Officer Alex Seminiano stated that nearly 60 individuals are working across various functions—business, technology, and operations—to enhance the bank’s mobile app.

BPI said its mobile apps are equipped with an evolving security layer that can detect risky environments and devices, such as those that are jailbroken, use overlays, or allow side-loading, to prevent potential breaches.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Are you concerned that smishing will affect members of your family or those in your local community? Were you scammed online during the past six months? How many people in your local community are aware of smishing right now? Did you receive any text messages that tried to convince you to hit the link provided?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Leechiu Property Consultants See Bright Future Ahead For Philippine Tourism Due To Key Factors

October 28, 2025October 19, 2025carlocarrasco

There is no denying the fact that the Philippines is having trouble attracting foreign tourists this year but for Leechiu Property Consultants there is still a bright future ahead for the nation’s tourism industry due to growth in domestic tourism and a few other factors, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

Although Asian tourist arrivals decline, the Philippine tourism industry is still perceived to be entering “a new era of opportunity” because of the growth in domestic tourism, improved flight connectivity, and the 99-year lease reform.

Leechiu Property Consultants said in its third-quarter media briefing that, as investors refocus on long-duration assets, the country’s hospitality and leisure industries are expected to see renewed capital flows and expanded capacity through 2026.

“With the anticipated growth in domestic and long-haul tourism, along with increased hospitality FDIs (foreign direct investments) driven by the newly-approved 99-year lease to foreign investors, the tourism sector is poised to strengthen its position as a key investment area and a vital pillar of the Philippine economy,” said LPC Director of Hotels, Tourism, and Leisure Alfred Lay.

He said the sector continued its steady recovery in the third quarter of 2025, but “while there are signs of resilience, no significant shifts have yet created real momentum in foreign arrivals. Without a major catalyst, arrivals are unlikely to surpass 2024 levels.”

Traditional leaders, such as South Korea and China, show steep declines, while the USA, Japan, and Australia are emerging as stronger contributors, reflecting changing travel patterns and opportunities to diversify source markets.

While international arrivals remain below pre-pandemic peaks, Lay said “domestic travel is surging toward historic highs, establishing a solid foundation for long-term tourism growth and investment confidence.”

Domestic tourists are projected to reach 58.7 million in 2025, rising further to 62.2 million in 2026, a trajectory supported by the country’s forecast gross domestic product growth by 7.63 percent and 5.8 percent in 2025 and 2026, respectively.

Over the past two decades, domestic tourism spending has outpaced GDP, underscoring the sector’s resilience and capacity to drive nationwide economic activity.

Meanwhile, rising travel demand has spurred a wave of hotel developments nationwide, with a total of 5,210 new keys to be added in 2025—over 4,300 of which are expected to open in the fourth quarter.

A majority of these projects are led by domestic operators, reflecting local developers’ agility in capturing demand across destinations such as Metro Manila, Cebu, Boracay, Davao, and Palawan.

Lay said the newly approved 99-year lease law has created a strong foundation for long-term tourism investment as it provides global investors with the security to pursue large-scale resort and mixed-use developments.

Over time, the law is expected to stimulate foreign direct investment in tourism and hospitality, similar to the trends observed in the Maldives, where long-term leases have transformed the sector into a global investment hotspot.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think domestic tourism, improved flight connectivity and the 99-year lease reform will boost Philippine tourism in the short-term? Do you think domestic tourism will keep on growing to life up the nation’s tourism industry as a whole?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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DEPDev Secretary Says Philippines Likely To Hit Low-End Of 2025 GDP Growth Target

October 26, 2025October 17, 2025carlocarrasco

Recently the Secretary of the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) expressed confidence that the economy of the Philippines will hit the low-end target of GDP growth for 2025, according to a BusinessWorld news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of BusinessWorld. Some parts in boldface…

Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said he is confident Philippine economic growth will hit the lower end of the target this year, despite a slowdown in the third quarter.

“The growth that we are expecting for 2025 is now 5.5 to 6.5% The low-end of the range is still very much achievable,” he told reporters on the sidelines of an event on Oct. 16.

Economic managers will meet next week to assess whether revisions to this year’s growth outlook are needed, he added.

Budget Secretary and Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) Chairperson Amenah F. Pangandaman on Wednesday told BusinessWorld that the gross domestic product (GDP) target for 2025 “remains attainable.”

Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto earlier said flagged a slowdown in the third quarter and possibly until early 2026 as corruption probes curb public spending.

Aside from slower public spending, Mr. Balisacan said weather disruptions may have dampened economic activity in the July-September period.

“There may be a bit of a slowdown (in third quarter) because of these supply shocks that we have seen. There are so many typhoons that we have seen during the quarter, many days of work suspension. So economic activity is really affected,” he said.

Asked whether third quarter growth could fall below the 5.5% annual GDP growth in the second quarter, Mr. Balisacan said: “Hopefully not.”

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Would you be satisfied to see the economy of the Philippines grow by 5.5% this year? Do you think there will still be a lot of challenges and problems in the 4^th quarter that could somehow bring economic growth below 5.5% for the entire year?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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World Bank Flags Slowing Philippine Economy As Flood Control Scandal Controversy And Softening Financial Market Go On

October 25, 2025October 16, 2025carlocarrasco

The embarrassment of the ongoing flood control corruption scandals and the slowing economy of the Philippines caught the attention of the World Bank (WB) as it released a detailed assessment of the nation, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin report. Some parts in boldface…

The World Bank (WB) has flagged a slowing Philippine economy as investor sentiment weakens, financial markets soften, and manufacturing and exports falter—even as joblessness steadies and inflation stays below target.

“There are signs that economic activity may be decelerating” in the country, the WB said in its Philippines Monthly Economic Developments report for September 2025, published on Oct. 14.

The WB highlighted that investor sentiment toward domestic financial assets weakened in September, with the Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) falling 0.9 percent between August and Sept. 18—contrasting with the rising stock markets of regional peers since July.

The WB noted that while interest rate cuts by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)—which lowered its policy rate by 25 basis points (bps) to 4.75 percent last Oct. 9—and the United States (US) Federal Reserve supported early September gains, negative market developments later limited buying activity in the domestic stock market.

Among these “unfavorable market updates” were “governance issues in flood control projects, an uptrend in inflation and unemployment, and lower foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows,” the report said.

“Amid these developments, foreign investors became net sellers of local shares. This contributed to the slight weakening of the Philippine peso against the US dollar,” the report noted.

“In real effective terms, the Philippine peso depreciated in August against a basket of currencies of its major trading partners” and sustained a slight depreciation last month, it added.

The WB also noted that the Philippines’ merchandise export growth fell to an eight-month low in August, with exports rising just 4.6 percent year-on-year as shipments to the US declined following the introduction of higher tariffs.

This came even as export growth was “driven by sustained demand for semiconductors and electronic data processing equipment, primarily from Hong Kong and Japan,” the report added.

Meanwhile, the WB emphasized that merchandise import values declined by 4.9 percent year-on-year last August, mainly due to lower global prices for coal and petroleum products. The Philippines is a net oil importer. The report also noted that imports of raw materials and intermediate goods fell after robust growth in prior months.

Imports of motor vehicles, however, rose—driven by strong consumer demand. The WB noted that, in all, the goods trade deficit narrowed from $4.4 billion in July to $3.5 billion in August.

The WB also highlighted that high-frequency data indicated a slowdown in manufacturing activity, with output rising just 1.4 percent year-on-year in August, largely supported by growth in the food products sector.

However, the WB said that production of electrical equipment as well as computer, electronic, and optical products decelerated, reflecting the slowdown in export growth.

The WB also noted that the country’s S&P Global manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) for September dropped to 49.9, falling below the neutral threshold for the first time in six months and indicating a contraction in activity.

“Despite modest gains in external demand, output and new orders from the domestic market declined, and business confidence, while positive, remained subdued,” the WB added.

The WB further highlighted that labor market conditions steadied as the effects of weather-related disruptions eased, noting that the unemployment rate held steady year-on-year at 3.9 percent in August, rebounding from a temporary rise in July caused by adverse weather that affected agriculture and fisheries.

The WB said that employment in wholesale and retail trade fell year-on-year, although the reasons behind the decline remain unclear and require careful monitoring.

“The government expects further improvement in labor market conditions as weather-sensitive sectors continue to recover in the near term,” the WB added.

The WB stressed that inflation has increased moderately in recent months but remains below the central bank’s target, with headline inflation reaching a six-month high of 1.7 percent in September due to the delayed effects of weather-related supply disruptions, which pushed up food prices, especially for vegetables and oils.

“Despite this, average inflation remains below the two- to four-percent inflation band set by the BSP and is partly limited by sustained rice disinflation,” the WB said.

Year-on-year drops in rice prices helped ease inflationary pressures on the poorest 30 percent of households, with their consumer price index (CPI) falling by 0.2 percent in September, the report added.

“Favorable inflation dynamics and moderating domestic demand” supported the BSP’s monetary easing, the WB said, adding that the central bank has “space for a more accommodative policy stance in the context of a weaker outlook for economic growth.”

The WB stated that external imbalances widened in the first half of 2025, though foreign reserves remained sufficient, noting that the current account deficit grew to 3.9 percent of gross domestic product (GDP)—up 0.3 percentage point (ppt) year-on-year—driven by strong domestic demand that boosted goods imports.

“Higher spending by Filipino tourists abroad and lower inbound tourism receipts also contributed to a decline in net receipts from services trade,” it added.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? What do you think the national government should do to improve the nation’s economic conditions? Do you agree with what the WB reported about the Philippines? If you have been managing a business for at least one year, has 2025 been a rough business year?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Keep Call Centers In America Act Of 2025 Sparks Resolution Proposal In Philippine Congress

October 24, 2025October 23, 2025carlocarrasco

A few months ago in the United States, the Keep Call Centers in America Act of 2025 was filed and it really caused a disturbance on the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here in the Philippines. Recently a member of Congress here in the Philippines filed a resolution to initiate talks with the US to discuss call center reshoring and seek exemptions, according to a BusinessWorld news report.

Coincidentally, the proposed resolution was filed by a Congressman from the province of Cebu where I once worked as a call center agent a very long time ago. I never returned to the call center industry.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of BusinessWorld. Some parts in boldface…

A CEBU legislator filed a resolution on Monday urging the government to initiate talks with the US over plans to bring the call-center industry back from overseas.

The Trade and Foreign Affairs departments should “immediately initiate dialogue” with their US counterparts to seek exemptions for US business process outsourcing (BPO) firms operating in the Philippines, according to Cebu Rep. Vincent Franco D. Frasco, who filed House Resolution No. 386.

“The urgency of the situation demands proactive and high-level diplomatic action and trade engagement to ensure that the interests of Filipino workers and US-affiliated firms operating in the Philippines are protected from the US bill’s unintended economic consequences,” he said, referring to US legislation known as the proposed Keep Call Centers in America Act

The US bill could penalize US companies for outsourcing call center operations by ruling them out for federal grants and loan guarantees. The Philippines call center industry employs about 1.7 million, according to the House resolution.

Mr. Frasco described the US measure as posing a “direct threat” to the stability of the BPO industry and may discourage American firms from setting up shop in the country, leading to job losses and loss of investor confidence.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think Congressman Frasco’s proposed resolution will be approved soon? Do you think the DTI will be able to meet with their American counterparts and be able to secure exemptions? Do you think the Keep Call Centers in America Act of 2025 is very dangerous to the BPO industry of the Philippines? How many people in your local community are working in call centers right now? When do you think the Keep Call Centers in America Act of 2025 will be passed by US Congress and be sent to President Donald Trump for final approval?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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S&P Credit Rating Upgrade For Philippines Derailed By Flood Control Scandals

October 23, 2025October 15, 2025carlocarrasco

Here in the Philippines, the flood control corruption scandals are not only keeping many Filipinos very angry but they are also affecting the economy negatively as the nation was prevented from achieving a credit rating upgrade from S&P Global Ratings, according to a news report by BusinessWorld.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the BusinessWorld. Some parts in boldface…

THE FINANCE CHIEF on Tuesday said the multibillion-peso flood control scandal prevented the Philippines from getting a credit rating upgrade from S&P Global Ratings.

“If [only] we did not have the flood control issue,” Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto told reporters on the sidelines of a Senate budget hearing. “We met with S&P, and they were ready to give us a credit rating upgrade this year.”

The controversy, which involves “ghost” projects and fund misuse in government flood control programs, has triggered investigations by Congress, the Commission on Audit, the Ombudsman, and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure.

The Marcos administration is facing increasing scrutiny over flood control projects, where billions of pesos in public funds were diverted through padded contracts and shell companies.

The scandal highlighted spending inefficiencies and governance lapses that credit agencies closely monitor when evaluating institutional credibility and fiscal management.

Asked whether the Philippines can achieve an “A” credit rating in the next two years, Mr. Recto said: “I hope so.”

He said the government wants to maintain its current credit rating, despite the multibillion-peso corruption scandal.

“There is a big chance they will maintain it, but there was a bigger chance for a credit rating upgrade,” he added.

In November 2024, S&P affirmed its “BBB+” long-term credit rating for the Philippines, which is a notch below the “A” level grade targeted by the government.

S&P had also raised its rating outlook to “positive” from “stable.” A positive outlook means the Philippines’ credit rating could be raised over the next two years if improvements are sustained.

Mr. Recto said the government needs to improve its governance and resolve the flood control mess.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? What do you think the national government should do to resolve the flood control mess? Are you convinced that the ongoing flood control corruption scandals are already turning away potential foreign investors?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Muntinlupa City Receives Special Citation For Sustained Efforts On Advancing Ease Of Doing Business

October 22, 2025October 21, 2025carlocarrasco

The City Government of Muntinlupa added another huge honor to its growing list of achievements as it received a special citation for advancing the ease of doing business during the 51st Philippine Business Conference & Expo, according to a Daily Tribune news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of the Daily Tribune. Some parts in boldface…

The City Government of Muntinlupa received a Special Citation at the 2025 Most Business-Friendly Local Government Unit (LGU) Awards during the 51st Philippine Business Conference & Expo held on 20 October, recognizing the city’s continued commitment to innovation and digital transformation.

The award, presented by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), acknowledges Muntinlupa’s sustained efforts to advance the ease of doing business through its tech-driven programs that streamline government processes and empower the local business community.

Among Muntinlupa’s flagship initiatives are the Business e-Payment System (BESt) — a fully automated platform that enables businesses to pay taxes and fees online — and the Single-Window Transaction (SWiT), which consolidates multiple business registration steps into a faster, more convenient one-stop process.

Mayor Ruffy Biazon thanked the PCCI for the recognition, saying the citation reinforces the city’s pursuit of business-friendly governance anchored on efficiency, transparency, and inclusivity.

“Our goal is not only to simplify processes for businesses but also to create an environment where enterprises can thrive and generate quality, life-sustaining jobs for Muntinlupeños,” Biazon said.

“Through our strong partnership with the private sector, particularly the Muntinlupa Business Advisory Council (MBAC), we continue to push for innovations that make Muntinlupa a model city for smart, strong, and sustainable growth,” he added.

The Most Business-Friendly LGU Awards, an annual program of the PCCI, honors local governments that demonstrate exceptional performance in creating a conducive business climate and promoting local economic development.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, are you delighted with the special citation the City Government received? Do you think Muntinlupa City is the most business-friendly city in Metro Manila today?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

DTI Defers Mandatory Trustmark Due To Backlash From Online Merchants

October 18, 2025October 17, 2025carlocarrasco

In response to backlash from online merchants, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) officially deferred the mandatory Trademark, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. Trustmark will be voluntary until December 31, 2025.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin report. Some parts in boldface…

After facing backlash from online merchants, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will no longer mandate the E-Commerce Philippine Trustmark, instead making the requirement voluntary until the end of the year.

In a statement, the DTI said the move was announced by Trade Secretary Cristina Roque during a town hall meeting about the trustmark’s implementation on Wednesday, Oct. 15.

Roque said that hearing directly from stakeholders made the agency want to improve the trustmark to make it more “useful, fair, and helpful for both businesses and consumers.”

“After all, our shared goal is to make e-commerce in the Philippines safer and more trustworthy for everyone,” she said.

The secretary—and the DTI as a whole—has been on the receiving end of outrage among online merchants, who have been labeling the trustmark as an additional burden.

The DTI even disabled the comment feature on its Facebook page after being bombarded with criticism on every post, even those unrelated to the trustmark.

The trustmark, aligned with the Internet Transactions Act, serves as a digital badge to ensure that online platforms and merchants are compliant with fair e-commerce practices. It is designed to help consumers identify legitimate businesses, protecting them against unfair trade practices, scams, and other fraudulent activities.

Under the new policy, the DTI said that the trustmark will be voluntary until Dec. 31. So far, the DTI is still finalizing supplemental guidelines for this policy, including fees that depend on the size or type of business, among other details.

By early 2026, the department is expected to evaluate whether the trustmark registration will remain voluntary.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? What do you think the Trustmark of DTI is more of a hassle than a benefit for online sellers? Do you think the Trustmark should be scrapped entirely? What do you think should be done to help consumers find legitimate online merchants?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Philippines September 2025 Inflation Reaches 1.7%

October 14, 2025October 7, 2025carlocarrasco

The annual inflation rate of the Philippines reached 1.7% this past September led by higher food prices, according to a BusinessWorld news report. Take note that August inflation was at 1.5% and business sentiment in the Philippines has weakened.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the BusinessWorld news report. Some parts in boldface…

Philippine annual inflation quickened for a second month, but it was still below the central bank’s 2% to 4% comfort range for the year, reinforcing expectations that a policy decision this week will be a close call between cutting rates and pausing.

The consumer price index rose 1.7% in September led by higher food prices, up from August’s 1.5%, the statistics agency said on Tuesday. It was below the 2.0% median forecast in a Reuters poll, and brought year-to-date average inflation to 1.7%.

The September rate, the fastest since March, comes just days before the central bank’s penultimate policy meeting of the year on Thursday.

“For the upcoming policy meeting, the Monetary Board will review newly available information and reassess the impact of prior monetary actions in light of evolving economic conditions and their implications for inflation and growth,” the Philippine central bank said in a statement.

At its August policy meeting, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) signalled another reduction was still possible this year before it concludes its easing cycle.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the inflation rate of the Philippines will reach as high as 3% by the end of 2025? Do you consider inflation as a major factor behind the modest economic growth of the country this year?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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