THE Philippines' growth outlook is expected to become more challenging in the second half following a below-expectations first quarter, HSBC said, but the full-year expansion will be the fastest in Southeast Asia.

January-March growth of 5.4 percent — marginally higher than the 5.3 percent seen three months earlier but lower than the 5.8 percent median in a Manila Times poll — fell short of the 2025 goal of 6.0-8.0 percent.

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