Corruption outcry being monitored for potential heightened risk –country directorTHE Asian Development Bank (ADB) has revised downward its 2026 Philippine economic growth outlook to 5.7 percent from an earlier projection of 5.8 percent. ADB’s September update to its current Asian Development Outlook (ADO) report, however, sees the economy cruising along this year, keeping its 2025 growth outlook for the country steady at 5.6 percent. 2025 inflation seen easing to 1.8%The ADB also lowered its inflation forecast for 2025 at 1.8 percent from an earlier forecast of 2.2 percent, but it sees the rate rising to 3 percent in 2026. Downside risks to the growth outlook include external headwinds from heightened uncertainty, further shifts in global economic policies, and rising trade barriers, which could affect market sentiment and hinder economic growth, the ADB report added. He added that may also involve blacklisting contractors identified in the current anomaly in the country’s infrastructure projects, provided the government sanctions them first.