Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. noted that the country is not yet in a position to lower interest rates, highlighting ongoing inflation concerns despite robust economic growth. The nation has experienced inflation rates above the central bank’s target range for seven consecutive quarters, with expectations to align with the target only in the current quarter. The Philippines achieved a 5.6% GDP growth in 2023, the fastest in Southeast Asia, and is optimistic about reaching or surpassing its growth target of up to 7.5% for 2024.