• There is a possibility that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) will start its easing episode in the first half, said Governor Eli Remolona Jr. But at the same time, he said monetary authorities were still wary of risks that may derail the inflation outlook.
• “It’s possible, but not likely,” Remolona said in a press chat on Saturday when asked about the likelihood of a rate cut in the first semester.
• Despite inflation easing back to within the target in December last year, the BSP said it deemed it necessary to “keep monetary policy settings sufficiently tight until a sustained downtrend in inflation becomes evident.”
• At its last meeting for 2023, the powerful Monetary Board kept the BSP’s policy rate unchanged at 6.5 percent, the tightest in 16 years. Speaking to reporters, Remolona said that “we like the trend” of price growth so far.

https://business.inquirer.net/441887/rate-cut-in-h1-possible-remolona#ixzz8PUyRxrrS