Ditas B Lopez

The Philippine central bank has cautioned banks against using foreign-exchange derivatives transactions as a tool to profit from currency volatility that has pushed the peso to a record low.

Philippine inflation decelerated as ceasefire talks between the US and Iran dampened fuel prices, diminishing the need for urgent monetary tightening.

The Philippines’ underemployment rate surged to its highest in nearly three years in April even as joblessness eased, with transport workers hit by high oil prices wanting extra hours or jobs.

Oil’s much-awaited decline may offer little respite for hard-hit consumers in the Philippines, where local pump prices were quick to skyrocket but could take up to a year to normalize.

The Philippines is tapping the international bond market for the second time this year, seizing the opportunity to fund state spending as borrowing costs eased on optimism over a potential US-Iran agreement.

MANILA (Bloomberg): The Philippines is tapping the international bond market for the second time this year, seizing the opportunity to fund state spending as borrowing costs eased on optimism over a potential US-Iran agreement.

The Philippine central bank increased its benchmark interest rate for a second consecutive meeting, as it braces for a prolonged battle against inflation despite an interim US-Iran peace deal.

Workers in the Philippine capital will see their wages rise by a record 12%, with implementation set to start this month, Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino said on Tuesday.

Philippine inflation eased for a second month, retreating further from a three-year high reached in April and providing relief for a central bank that’s been tightening monetary policy to tame consumer prices.

The Philippines’ main business-process outsourcing group cut its industry revenue and job forecasts — and even warned of possible shrinking future business — with the emergence of artificial intelligence, shifting geopolitical conditions and increased competition.