Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Banking sector improves stability, strength in 2013


The Philippine banking industry, despite global challenges, is now Basel 3-compliant and in the past year, has build up capital buffers and its sights set on expansion both local and for the large financial institutions, exploring a bigger pie of the regional business.
The country’s credit rating upgrade which gave it the much-coveted investment grade status, in part is a nod to the banking sector’s stability and strength.
As stated by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando M. Tetangco Jr., international rating agencies Moody’s, Fitch Ratings and Standard & Poor’s have recognized the banking system for its “well-capitalized, profitable and liquid with deposit-funded balance sheets and sound loss-absorption capacities.”

Thursday, December 5, 2013

7 reasons why PH economic growth is not a bubble in disguise


A Forbes columnist recently wrote an article that stirred a hornets’ nest. The post called out the Philippine economic miracle as a bubble in disguise. While the author has some valid points we should not ignore, many of us do not agree. The Philippine economy is the fastest growing economy in Southeast Asia and one of the fastest in the world.

So, is the Philippine economic growth really a bubble in disguise? Our answer is a flat ‘no’!

I recently had a conversation with my colleague, economist Dr. Alvin P. Ang, who is also the president of the Philippine Economic Society. We both felt that the analysis was rather thin, not very accurate. Truth to be told, his analysis seems delinked from our reality.

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Thursday, November 28, 2013

PH only Asian economy in Standard & Poor's 'Rising Stars' list


The Philippines is the only Asian economy to make it in its list of "rising stars" this year, a global debt watcher said.

The Philippines is only one in two countries Standard and Poor's Ratings Services (S&P) added to its list of rising stars in 2013, just when the New York-based financial services company is giving more downgrades than upgrade debt ratings. 

S&P defines "rising stars" as countries whose credit score was upgraded from junk to investment grade. This year's list includes 31 countries, where the Philippines is the lone Asian nation.




Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Swiss foundation, Pinoys abroad raise P432-M 'Yolanda' donations


MANILA, Philippines - Filipinos in Switzerland helped a foundation there in raising multi-million peso donations for the victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).
Swiss Solidarity, a foundation that raises funds for humanitarian relief and rehabilitation projects, gathered pledges of donations worth Swiss Franc 9,025,989 million (P432 million) in a six-hour telethon held on November 18, the Philippine Embassy in Switzerland said.
The Embassy said the event, which was dubbed as the Swiss National Day of Solidarity with the Philippines, was participated by Filipinos who took phone calls or provided food for the volunteers.

Swiss foundation, Pinoys abroad raise P432-M 'Yolanda' donations


MANILA, Philippines - Filipinos in Switzerland helped a foundation there in raising multi-million peso donations for the victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).
Swiss Solidarity, a foundation that raises funds for humanitarian relief and rehabilitation projects, gathered pledges of donations worth Swiss Franc 9,025,989 million (P432 million) in a six-hour telethon held on November 18, the Philippine Embassy in Switzerland said.
The Embassy said the event, which was dubbed as the Swiss National Day of Solidarity with the Philippines, was participated by Filipinos who took phone calls or provided food for the volunteers.

Swiss foundation, Pinoys abroad raise P432-M 'Yolanda' donations


MANILA, Philippines - Filipinos in Switzerland helped a foundation there in raising multi-million peso donations for the victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).
Swiss Solidarity, a foundation that raises funds for humanitarian relief and rehabilitation projects, gathered pledges of donations worth Swiss Franc 9,025,989 million (P432 million) in a six-hour telethon held on November 18, the Philippine Embassy in Switzerland said.
The Embassy said the event, which was dubbed as the Swiss National Day of Solidarity with the Philippines, was participated by Filipinos who took phone calls or provided food for the volunteers.

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Young Filipino software developers aim to create apps to solve gov’t problems


MANILA, Philippines —Young software developers in the Philippines are coming up with app ideas to solve the problems of government in an international competition sponsored by Microsoft.

“[Microsoft] Imagine Cup, which is currently on its 12th year, is the world’s premier student technology competition,” Karrie Ilagan, Microsoft Philippines General Manager, said Tuesday during the launch of the national leg of the competition.

Microsoft said that 1.65 million students from 190 countries have so far participated from 190 countries. In the Philippines, some 1,000 students have participated already, they said.

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