Rappler's latest stories on Philippine economy
[ANALYSIS] How ABS-CBN’s exit will hurt the PH economy
It will seem our laws and regulations can be easily weaponized against certain business interests, at the President’s whim
In Duterte's 4th year, COVID-19 causes highest unemployment on record
The last quarter of 2019 saw the lowest unemployment and underemployment rates in 14 years. But the pandemic brought unemployment to unprecedented levels.
Relaxed coronavirus rules push inflation up to 2.5% in June 2020
(UPDATED) As the economy reopens with limited transportation options and physical distancing rules in place, tricycle fares soar in June
PCC raises alarm over proposed state-backed ARISE Inc
ARISE Inc would save distressed businesses by infusing them with equity and exempting them from procurement and competition laws. But this may lead to abuses, warns the Philippine Competition Commission.
[ANALYSIS] Return to a bleak, not better normal
'Alas, with the Rappler cases and ABS-CBN shutdown, made emphatic with the passage of a draconian anti-terror law amid still rising COVID-19 cases, the Duterte administration’s bait for investors is laced with poison'
Coronavirus drives Philippines toward recession as Duterte's 4th year ends
The Philippines misses its full-year growth rate target for 2019 despite performing well in the 2nd half. Then the coronavirus causes a deep plunge.
Coronavirus crash: Pandemic pushes stock market down in Duterte's 4th year
After the Philippine Stock Exchange index slumped to an 8-year low due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will the Duterte administration see the local equity market go back to its pre-coronavirus levels?
Inflation rate stays low despite coronavirus in Duterte's 4th year
The COVID-19 outbreak upends both supply and demand, but various factors keep inflation rates low
Bangko Sentral sees sharper GDP contraction in Q2 2020
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno says the country's gross domestic product is seen to contract by 5.7% to 6.7% in the second quarter due to the adverse impact of the coronavirus pandemic
[ANALYSIS] How COVID-19 threatens online freelancing in the PH – and what can be done
'We should…recognize that in the face of COVID-19, these freelancers, just like many other Filipino workers, will be facing potentially significant headwinds'
[ANALYSIS] Duterte’s new COVID-19 loans: Need we worry?
'Can Duterte and his minions spend the money effectively? Several red flags suggest they cannot.'
Japan debt watcher gives Philippines coveted A rating during pandemic
The Japan Credit Rating Agency upgrades the Philippines' credit rating to A- with stable outlook
[ANALYSIS] The alarming jobs report Duterte is ignoring
'Bringing back some jobs will also hinge on the government’s ability — nay, willingness — to implement mass or widespread testing'
Philippine economy to shrink by 1.9% in 2020, says World Bank
The World Bank says steps to recovery include strengthening the healthcare system, improving the ease of doing business, and developing better internet in the Philippines
Peso strengthens, hits P49 to $1 after 3 years
The Philippine peso is at its strongest in 3 years, but families receiving dollars from abroad may not be happy about the news
P1.3-trillion economic stimulus vs coronavirus 'not fundable,' says NEDA
Economic managers say the government can only afford P130 billion for spending programs. Lawmaker Stella Quimbo says that is 'a pitiful response to the biggest economic catastrophe since the World War.'
Inflation slows to 2.1% in May 2020
(UPDATED) Lower transportation costs and food prices cause the downtrend in the Philippines' inflation rate
[ANALYSIS] Duterte may yet survive the pandemic – at our expense
Despite serious concerns about relaxing quarantine measures, the government is pushing for a W-shape recovery strategy. The trade-off is clear – economy trumps public health.
After clash, Dominguez offers Economics 101 for Imee Marcos
The offer of Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III to provide a special briefing comes after he clashed with Senator Imee Marcos over Masagana 99, the failed rice program of dictator Ferdinand Marcos
[OPINION] Good policies, bad execution, worse timing
'Let's not rush TRAIN 2/CITIRA/CREATE (or whatever they are calling it now) and make an effort to get it done better compared to TRAIN 1 and rice tariffication'
Prolonged class suspension will put ‘strain on already failing economy’ – group
According to Cocopea managing director Joseph Noel Estrada, while public school personnel are guaranteed their salaries even with suspended classes, over half a million private school personnel are not.
Rappler+ Webinar: Cushioning the coronavirus impact
Happening Thursday, May 21, 10 am
[ANALYSIS] Why we can’t Build, Build, Build our way out of this pandemic
In this time of crisis, government needs to get its act together and divert all its energies and resources to saving people’s lives
PH economy to contract by up to 3.4%, higher debt seen in 2020
Weak growth and higher spending due to the coronavirus crisis are expected to bloat the Philippines' budget deficit for 2020
PH can still be upper-middle income in 2022 despite pandemic – NEDA
The coronavirus pandemic is 'just a temporary setback,' says Acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Chua
[ANALYSIS] Rare Philippine recession: Why this one’s unique, even necessary
Let’s make this recession and our collective sacrifice count. But that won’t very well happen if government fails to set its priorities right and get its act together fast.
Philippine economy shrinks for first time in 22 years
(UPDATED) The Philippines' gross domestic product contracts by 0.2% in the 1st quarter of 2020, with officials and analysts fearing that the worst is yet to come
Inflation slips to 2.2% in April 2020 as virus freezes economy
(3rd UPDATE) The Philippines' inflation slows down as oil prices plunge, while prices of some food items inch up in April
[OPINION] The coronavirus: We need more than a reset button
'If we go back to the way we were, we will end up exactly in the same situation which created and fueled this pandemic to begin with'
[ANALYSIS] Test, Trace, Treat (not Build, Build, Build)
'There are more savings that can be had if government abandons its dream of Build, Build, Build. It is a dream not worth chasing at this time.'
[ANALYSIS] Should Duterte lift the lockdown? An imagined debate
With the COVID-19 pandemic, the stakes are much, much higher. Now is not the time for the capricious, evidence-bereft brand of policymaking Duterte has grown used to and gotten away with.
Philippines banks on infrastructure push to revive economy from virus
'We will use that (infrastructure projects) as one of the main drivers of our economy.... That is where jobs are created,' says Acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Chua
[ANALYSIS] People’s health or economy? It’s a false choice
Protecting lives protects the economy. That said, the issue of saving the economy remains. Here are some recommendations.
What the Philippine economy could be like after the coronavirus
Ensuring public health comes with a hefty price tag: job losses, business closures, and a peak in populism
Philippines braces for recession due to coronavirus
Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III sees flat to negative growth in succeeding quarters. BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno calls it 'technical recession.'
Coronavirus triggers lower inflation at 2.5% in March 2020
(UPDATED) Inflation slows down in March as economic activity grinds to a halt due to the coronavirus pandemic
Farmers trash spoiled vegetables while poor go hungry
The government plays catch up fixing disrupted supply chains caused by vague lockdown rules
[ANALYSIS] May pera nga ba? Does Duterte have money to fight COVID-19?
Today we’re enduring two types of crises: one in public health, another in governance
Worst-case scenario: PH economy may contract 0.5%, says World Bank
A drastic slowdown in domestic consumption, public infrastructure delays, and postponement of private investments due to the coronavirus are seen to drag down growth in 2020
Rappler Talk: How BPOs, human resources are dealing with coronavirus
Rappler talks to Darwin Rivers, founder and president of Philippines HR Group on the crucial role of human resource management in saving companies and jobs amid the pandemic
[OPINION] We need to lobby for meaningful fiscal stimulus during the pandemic
'The reality that we must face is that the measures we are taking to prevent the spread of the virus will hurt the economy more than the virus itself'
[ANALYSIS] ‘Freezing’ the PH economy: Can we survive it?
With billions of additional funds soon at Duterte’s disposal – and a spotty track record of transparency and accountability – we should all watch the money trail closer than ever
Rappler Talk: Coronavirus and the economy
Rappler talks to Nicholas Mapa, ING Bank Manila's senior economist, on where the government should pump cash and what life after the coronavirus could be like
Rappler Talk: Saving the economy from a pandemic
Rappler talks to Alfredo Paloyo, senior lecturer at the University of Wollongong in Australia, on what the Philippine government should do to protect the poor and save the economy from the coronavirus pandemic
Economists to gov't: Spend P300 billion or more vs coronavirus
Filipino economists recommend cash aid, food and non-food vouchers, and paid leaves to save lives and the economy
[OPINION] With the coronavirus crisis, it's business unusual
'Allow the scare to go on long enough and only the businesses with adequate capital and little debt will be able to see the end of the tunnel'
Philippines to borrow more than planned to combat coronavirus impact
As lower revenue collection is seen due to the spreading novel coronavirus, the Philippines' budget deficit may hit as high as 3.6%
[ANALYSIS] How the budget deficit exploded under Duterte’s watch
Allowing the deficit to blow up to 6.8% last quarter does not reflect well on fiscal managers and suggests fiscal irresponsibility and mismanagement
Inflation slows down to 2.6% in February 2020
(3rd UPDATE) Transport and utility costs in the Philippines go down, as the novel coronavirus places downward pressure on global crude oil prices
'A mess': Coronavirus economic impact on Philippines worse than projected
The Philippines' economic managers see lower tax collections and reduced Chinese imports due to the spread of the virus
