MANILA โ€” On Thursday, August 27, 2026, the Philippine central bank raised interest rates by 25 basis points in an effort to rein in inflation, which has averaged 5% over the first seven months of the year. This rate exceeds the central bank's comfort zone of 2% to 4%. The move comes despite weak economic growth, reflecting the challenge of managing inflation without further slowing the economy. The inflationary pressures are linked to energy shocks influenced by developments in Iran.

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