“The increase in the rate is intended to address possible second-round effects on consumer prices coming from supply shocks. We have to continue to assess the situation and decide on what will be the inflation expectation that could arise from possible higher wages and transport costs.”
“The creation of large liquid benchmarks will improve the trading turnover in the secondary market as this is expected to, among others, reduce the bid-offer spreads on bond prices. Participants will be able to get in or out of the benchmark issues more easily, making trading in Philippine bonds comparable to those in other emerging markets. This will be highly attractive to foreign investors in the market and bring additional business opportunities to the local financial community. This effort will complement earlier initiatives in capital market development, including the creation of the Fixed Income Exchange.”
“The expansion in the coverage of said declaration was proposed by the Anti-Money Laundering Council in order to comply with the Financial Action Task Force's Special Recommendation IX, which requires countries to have measures in place, including a declaration system or other disclosure obligation.”
“In its assessment of the monetary policy stance, the monetary board noted that prevailing conditions continue to provide room for the [central bank] to keep its policy rates steady in the near term.”
