Friday, 6 June 2025

Philippines maintains A credit rating by Japan Credit Rating Agency

Japan Credit Rating Agency affirms Philippines' A– credit rating

JonViktor D. Cabuenas
GMA Integrated News 
06 June 2025

Japan Credit Rating Agency Ltd. (JCR) has affirmed its long-term issuer rating on the Philippines as it cited the country’s sustained economic growth.


However, the JCR said steps needed to be taken to address income disparity.

In a dispatch released on Thursday, JCR affirmed the Philippines’ foreign currency long-term issuer and local currency long-term issuer at “A-,” with a stable outlook. The Philippines first scored the rating in June 2020.

An “A” rating indicates the country has “high creditworthiness supported by a few excellent factors,” while a minus (–) indicates the relative standing within the rating category.

A higher credit rating is generally seen as more favorable, as this would entail lower borrowing costs for the country.

“The ratings mainly reflect the Philippines’ high and sustained economic growth supported by solid domestic demand, low-level external debt, and resilience to external shocks supported by accumulated foreign exchange reserves,” JCR said.

“However, reducing income disparity through rural development and infrastructure development remain important tasks to be addressed,” it added.

Philippine economic growth clocked in at 5.4% in the first quarter of 2025, the fastest in three quarters, but slower than the 5.9% growth in the first three months of 2024.

Government debt stood at a record P16.752 trillion as of end-April 2025, 0.41% higher than the P16.68-trillion debt stock as of end-March. Gross international reserves amounted to $104.6 billion as of end-April, down from $106.7 billion as of end-March.

“Despite increased uncertainty due to changes in US tariff policies, the Philippines’ foreign exchange liquidity position remains solid, and JCR expects the economy to retain high resilience to external shocks going forward,” it added.

JCR’s affirmation of the Philippines’ issuer rating was welcomed by Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, who said this reflects the continued confidence of rating agencies and investors in the country.

“We remain committed to securing more ‘A’ ratings by staying faithful to our fiscal consolidation plan and Road-to-A strategy,” Recto said in a separate statement.

“We have already passed key game-changing reforms, such as the CREATE MORE Act and the Capital Markets Efficiency Promotion Act, and will continue to work on creating an investment-enabling environment to increase the country’s economic growth potential,” he added. –NB, GMA Integrated News

Sunday, 1 June 2025

Miss World PH landed in top 8, named Miss World Asia

Thailand wins Miss World 2025 crown, Philippines in Top 8

Earl D.C. Bracamonte 
Philstar.com
June 1, 2025

MANILA, Philippines — Chuangsri "Opal" Suchata bested 107 international delegates and won Thailand's first Miss World crown in glitzy rites in Telangana, India on Saturday.


Krystyna Pyzkova crowned the Breast Cancer survivor and advocate.

Miss World Philippines 2024 Krishnah Marie Gravidez shared the Top 2 spots with Thailand in the final cut for Asia and Oceania.


Hasset Dereje Admassu of Ethiopia was the other lady Opal was holding hands with while waiting for the proclamation to be given out, winning as 1st runner-up and Continental Queen of Africa. It is the first time for both countries to reach such high placement.

Maja Klajda of Poland was named 2nd runner-up and Continental Queen of Europe, while Aurelie Joachim of Martinique, in its first Top 4 finish, completed the royal court as 3rd runner-up and Continental Queen of the Americas and the Caribbean.

The other lucky four delegates who competed for the Final 4 placements were Jessica Pedroso (Brazil), Selma Kamanya (Namibia), Mayra Melnychenko (Ukraine), and Krishnah Marie Gravidez (Philippines).

The delegates who also made it to the Top 20 were Guadalupe Alomar (Argentina), Valeria Perez (Puerto Rico), Athenna Crosby (USA) from the Americas and the Caribbean); Issie Princesse (Cameroon), Joy Raimi (Nigeria), Lamis Redissi (Tunisia) from Africa; Jasmine Gerhardt (Ireland), Chiara Esposito (Italy), Millie-Mae Adams (Wales) from Europe; Jasmine Stringer (Australia), Nandini Gupta (India), and Nada Koussa (Lebanon) from Asia and Oceania.

The Top 20 semi-finalists were the ladies who made the next cut after the quarterfinals of 40 placements, 10 from each continent and region, including the fast track challenge winners.

The over three-week competition saw the delegates compete in several challenges that included Sports, Talent, Top Model, Multimedia, Head-to-Head, and Beauty with a Purpose. The delegates also enjoyed the cuisine, hospitality, and sights and sounds of Telangana.

Hosted by Sachiin Khumbar and Miss World 2016 Stephanie del Valle, with performances from Jacqueline Fernandez and Ishaan Khatter, the 72nd Miss World coronation ceremonies unfolded at the Hitex Exhibition Center in Hyderabad, India.

It was beamed to a global audience through Miss World's pay-per-view channel on YouTube.