Subpar economic growth to linger

Following the 4.5-year low gross domestic product (GDP) expansion in the third quarter of 2025, Singapore-based Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp. Ltd. (OCBC) has sharply lowered its Philippine growth forecast for the year to below five percent.

- By DERCO ROSAL

ES DIGITAL PAYMENT INTEGRATION - Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. underscores the transformative power of digital payment systems in advancing regional economic integration during a panel session at the 61st South East Asian Central Banks (SEACEN) Governors' Conference in Bali, Indonesia. Remolona emphasized that digital payments connectivity is a strategic enabler of economic efficiency and systemic resilience, laying the foundation for deeper trade and financial market integration across economies. In photo: Remolona second from left chaired a panel session during the conference. Joining him in the session were (from left) Bank for International Settlements Deputy Head of the Monetary and Economic Department and Head of Economics Analysis and Statistics Frank Smets, International Center for Education in Islamic Finance University Professor of Finance Turalay Kenc, and UnionPay International Director of Global Business Development Li Penglin. (Photo courtesy of Bank Indonesia)

(Bank Indonesia)