Rules for big cash withdrawals tweaked

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said banks should apply enhanced due diligence (EDD) to cash withdrawals exceeding P500,000 on a per-customer—rather than per-transaction—basis, with reviews anchored on a depositor’s normal business activity.

In a memorandum signed on Feb. 6 by Governor Eli Remolona Jr., the central bank said the clarification was meant to ensure that due diligence checks do not unnecessarily delay legitimate transactions. Banks were also instructed to streamline procedures for customers and provide targeted training for branch staff to ensure consistent and effective implementation.

The guidance follows last year’s order requiring closer scrutiny of over-the-counter cash withdrawals above P500,000 to curb money-laundering risks tied to large-value transactions. Under the rules, customers seeking to withdraw more than that amount in cash need only present documents showing a legitimate purpose, such as a deed of sale or hospital bill, while withdrawals made through traceable, non-cash channels do not require additional documentation.

According to the BSP, EDD process must consider the customer’s risk profile, nature of business or operations, and transaction patterns. A streamlined process may be applied to bank-to-bank transactions, such as interbranch or interbank cash requirements or loan disbursements.

For cash payouts or withdrawals during declared calamities or emergencies, the BSP said certification from the head of agency may be obtained.

Meanwhile, more rigorous due diligence checks will be applied when transactions deviate from a customer’s expected behavior or present heightened risks.

Former Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima earlier called on local policymakers to adopt tougher curbs on cash transactions. He warned that the country’s reliance on envelopes and bags of banknotes has made it easier for corruption to thrive.

This, amid a widening probe into anomalous flood control projects, which implicated lawmakers, members of the Cabinet, government engineers and private contractors.

Since the start of its crackdown last year, the Anti-Money Laundering Council has obtained court approvals to freeze assets totaling P24.7 billion, believed to be connected to the massive corruption scandal.

Remolona had warned that the graft fallout could risk dragging the Philippines back onto the Financial Action Task Force’s “gray list”—a watch list the country had just exited in early 2025 after over three years of efforts to remedy gaps in its antimoney laundering and counterterrorism financing campaigns.

Source: Inquirer

Philippines’ Q4 GDP growth sharply slows to 3% amid corruption scandal

The Philippine economy grew 3% in the last quarter of 2025 compared to a year earlier, weaker than the downwardly revised 3.9% expansion for the previous quarter, the country’s statistics agency said.

The pace fell below a 4% median forecast in a Reuters poll, and brought full-year gross domestic product (GDP) growth to 4.4%, missing the government’s 5.5% to 6.5% target for 2025.

The lackluster performance of the Philippine economy raised the odds of another central bank rate cut, and was caused in part by a corruption scandal tied to infrastructure projects that slowed public spending last year.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Eli M. Remolona said last week that if fourth quarter GDP proved to be weaker-than-expected, it would help the central bank decide whether to take action at a rate setting meeting scheduled for February 19.

The central bank has cut its benchmark rate by a cumulative 200 basis points to a three-year low of 4.5% in the current cycle, which Remolona has said was nearing its end.

Source: Business World

Listed property firms seen posting modest revenue growth this year

Listed property companies in the Philippines are expected to post modest revenue growth this year amid tepid economic expansion and elevated inventory in the office and residential segments, analysts said.

“Revenue trajectory [is] on the way to recovery, but the journey can be challenged by moderating gross domestic product growth this year and the oversupply overhang in some segments like office and high-rise residential,” First Metro Investment Corp. Head of Research Cristina S. Ulang said.

The government has lowered its economic growth target for this year to 5%-6% from the previous 6%-7% range set for 2026 to 2028.

This came after a corruption scandal involving flood control projects dampened government spending and consumer confidence in the latter half of 2025.

Ms. Ulang also cited the oversupply of office and vertical residential units in some areas, which could weigh on listed developers’ revenue growth.

The Metro Manila office market has about 2.7 million square meters of vacant supply, while 80,300 condominium units remain unsold in the region, according to Leechiu Property Consultants’ fourth-quarter property market report.

Unicapital Securities, Inc. Research Head Wendy B. Estacio-Cruz said modest revenue growth is expected this year as the sector has yet to fully recover from tempered demand following a prolonged period of high interest rates.

In December, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) cut policy rates by 25 basis points (bps) to a more than three-year low of 4.5%. This marked the BSP’s fifth consecutive 25-bp reduction, bringing total rate cuts to 200 bps since August 2024.

BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. recently signaled that the Monetary Board is nearing the end of its easing cycle.

However, Ms. Estacio-Cruz said interest rates remain relatively elevated and may continue to weigh on housing affordability, particularly in the mid- to mass-market segments.

Rising land, construction, and financing costs may also delay project launches, she added.

“Leasing assets in prime locations should remain resilient, while upper-mid to high-end residential projects are likely to drive sales, given their relative resistance to interest rate pressures,” Ms. Estacio-Cruz said.

As a result, developers are expected to rebalance their revenue mix this year, analysts said.

The country’s industrial and logistics sector also presents revenue opportunities for listed firms, particularly amid the growth of e-commerce, data centers, and cold storage facilities, First Grade Finance, Inc. Managing Director Astro C. del Castillo said.

Developers with hospitality and retail assets may also post steady profits, he said, supported by an influx of local and international events scheduled this year.

Sy-led SM Prime Holdings, Inc. reported a 10% increase in net income to P37.2 billion for the first nine months of 2025.

Ayala Land, Inc.’s nine-month profit rose slightly to P21.4 billion from P21.2 billion a year earlier.

Robinsons Land Corp. posted a 2% increase in attributable net income to P10.17 billion for the period.

Megaworld Corp. recorded a 16% rise in attributable net income to P15.93 billion.

Federal Land, Inc. posted a 6% increase in nine-month reservation sales, while Filinvest Land, Inc. reported a 5% rise in consolidated net income to P3.64 billion.

Century Properties Group, Inc. saw its nine-month net income climb 17% to P2.1 billion, while DoubleDragon Corp.’s consolidated net income edged up to P2.55 billion.

Cebu Landmasters, Inc. posted a 6% increase in consolidated net income to P3.1 billion, while Vista Land & Lifescapes, Inc. recorded a 4% rise to P9.46 billion for the first nine months of 2025.

Rockwell Land Corp. posted a 13.1% increase in consolidated net income to P3.5 billion as of end-September, while Sta. Lucia Land, Inc.’s net income fell 38% to P2.05 billion during the period.

“In our view, topline performance will be supported by improving leasing conditions, a gradual recovery in residential sales, and the increasing contribution of recurring income streams,” Ms. Estacio-Cruz said.

Source: Business World