Political noise blamed for '25 investment dip

Approved foreign investment in the Philippines surged in the final three months of last year, marking the strongest quarterly performance in over a year, even as the full-year total sank to a three-year low.

- BY RICARDO M. AUSTRIA

According to data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority on Thursday, Feb. 12, foreign investment pledges jumped 79.1 percent to P103.33 billion in the October to December 2025 from P57.70 billion a year earlier.

While the end-of-year rebound provided a late boost to the economy, the annual tally of P272.38 billion represents the weakest showing since 2022 and a sharp retreat from the P546.19 billion recorded in 2024.

National Statistician Claire Dennis S. Mapa confirmed in an interview Friday, Feb. 13, that the fourth-quarter figure was the highest since the P143.74 billion seen in the third quarter of 2024. However, he noted that the year-end momentum was not enough to offset a broader slowdown in approvals that persisted through much of 2025.

The Netherlands emerged as the top source of investment during the quarter, committing P33.05 billion, or roughly 32 percent of the total. Japan and Singapore followed with P17.88 billion and P17.66 billion, respectively.