MANILA -The Philippine central bank has no reason to raise interest rates further as domestic inflation is easing, the country's finance minister said ahead of a May 18 monetary policy meeting. Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno reiterated his stance against a rate hike when he spoke to reporters. But he said he was just expressing his opinion and was only one of the seven monetary board members who will each vote during Thursday's decision-making. 'I'm for a pause, that's my opinion. Inflation is going down, huge (foreign exchange) reserves, the current account deficit has expanded but it's financially manageable and that's because of the improved economy, infrastructure spending,' he said.

https://business.inquirer.net/400940/philippines-finance-minister-says-no-reason-for-rate-hike

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