MANILA, Philippines (April 2026) — Clients in Cebu and Davao just got a clearer picture of what 2026 could bring for their money.
EastWest Banking Corporation wrapped up its Economic Outlook Briefing series in Visayas and Mindanao, giving Retail, Priority, and Corporate Banking clients practical insights on navigating the year ahead.
Bede Gomez, chief investment adviser at EastWest, led the sessions and pointed to the Philippines’ resilience despite global uncertainties. He noted that the country’s lower reliance on exports offers some protection from trade slowdowns, while strong domestic consumption remains a key driver of growth.
Gomez warned, however, that discretionary spending might cool down soon. He also flagged risks from prolonged geopolitical tensions that could affect overseas Filipino worker remittances and overall investor mood. His advice: stick to disciplined, long-term planning instead of chasing quick wins.
For 2026, he urged clients to focus on building well-hedged portfolios through diversification, balanced asset allocation, and careful management of duration and liquidity. Gomez specifically recommended defensive assets such as essential services, renewable energy, gold and precious metals, intermediate-term bonds, investment-grade corporate bonds, and dividend-paying stocks.
“Lasting wealth is not built through speculation, but on fundamentals, discipline, patience, and sound risk governance,” Gomez said.
Beyond the briefing, EastWest announced a new partnership with the University of Asia and the Pacific for the Economic Watch email newsletter. The curated publication will deliver regular market insights and trends to help clients make better financial decisions.
Rafael Algarra, Jr., senior executive vice president and head of financial markets and wealth management at EastWest, emphasized the bank’s commitment to being a trusted partner.
“At EastWest, we believe that being a trusted partner means providing the foresight you need to navigate the market with confidence, especially in a year defined by such high energy and rapid momentum,” he said.
