(The following statement was released by the rating agency) HONG KONG, March 25 (Fitch) Fitch Ratings has affirmed the Philippines' Long-Term Foreign and Local Currency Issuer Default Ratings at 'BBB-' and 'BBB' respectively. The Outlooks are Stable. The issue ratings on Philippines' senior unsecured foreign and local currency bonds are also affirmed at 'BBB-' and 'BBB'. The Country Ceiling is affirmed at 'BBB' and the Short-Term Foreign Currency IDR at 'F3'. KEY RATING DRIVERS The affirmation and Stable Outlook reflect the following factors: - The Philippines has maintained strong economic growth, underpinned by a steady inflow of overseas Filipinos' remittances, the expansion of the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry and low interest rates. Fitch forecasts that real GDP growth will average 6.5% in 2014 and 2015, following a 7.2% rise in 2013. The Philippines' five-year average real GDP growth rate rose to 5.3% in 2013, well above the median of 3.2% for the 'BBB' peer rating group (sovereigns rated 'BBB-', 'BBB' and 'BBB+'). - Fitch believes that the risk of an extended period of overheating, which could lead to either excessive inflation or asset price bubbles, remains limited despite the strong growth momentum. Headline CPI remains benign, rising 4.1% yoy in February, which is near the centre of the central bank's 2013-14 inflation target band of 4.0% +/- 1.0pp. However, a sustained boom in Philippines' property market could potentially increase both economic and financial volatility in the event of a large-scale downturn in prices.
- The fundamentals of the Philippines' banking sector remain stable as capitalisation is high, funding and liquidity is healthy and loan-loss reserves are rising. The banking sector has already implemented Basel III capital standards at the beginning of 2014. These strengths should help offset the risks of higher credit growth, particularly those related to the property market. - The Philippines' external finances remain a key rating strength as its net external creditor position reached 7% of GDP in 2013 due to continued current account surpluses. This compared with the -12% median for peers rated in the 'BBB' range. This strength would help explain why the Philippines' exchange rate and financial asset markets did not face the same degree of pressure as some other 'BBB-' rated sovereigns (e.g. India, Indonesia and Turkey) during the emerging markets sell-off over the summer of 2013. - Public finances continue to gradually improve. The national government's fiscal deficit fell to 1.4% of GDP in 2013 from 2.3% in 2012. Although the fiscal deficit will widen as Typhoon Yolanda-related reconstruction spending accelerates, Fitch projects the general government debt-to-GDP ratio will nevertheless decline to 39% in 2014 from versus 40% in 2013, which will remain in line with 'BBB' range peers. The stock of government debt also has an extended maturity profile, standing at 10 years in 2013, which reduces rollover risks.
- Governance standards - as measured by international indices such as the World Bank's framework - remain weaker than 'BBB' range norms, but are not inconsistent with a 'BBB-' rating as a number of sovereigns in this category fare worse than the Philippines. Governance reform, however, has been the centrepiece of the Aquino administration's policy efforts. - The Philippines' average per capita income remains low at USD2,794 in 2013 compared with the 'BBB' range median of USD10,880. This measure, however, does not capture the significant support to living standards provided by overseas Filipinos' remittances. RATING SENSITIVITIES The Outlook is Stable. Consequently, Fitch's sensitivity analysis does not currently anticipate developments with a high likelihood of leading to a rating change. Future developments that could individually or collectively, result in positive rating action include: - An improvement in governance and the investment climate, which boosts both domestic and foreign direct investment and overall productivity. - Sustained, strong GDP growth that narrows income and development differentials with 'BBB' range peers, without the emergence of imbalances. - A broadening of the fiscal revenue base and/or a sustained decline in the general government debt-to-GDP ratio. Future developments that could individually or collectively, result in negative rating action include: - A period of economic overheating (e.g. high inflation or a property bubble) and/or financial instability without appropriate fiscal and/or monetary policy settings. - Instability in the banking sector, which lead to a crystallisation of contingent liabilities on the sovereign balance. - Deterioration in governance standards and/or a reversal in reforms implemented under the Aquino administration. KEY ASSUMPTIONS Fitch assumes that the Aquino administration will persist with its fiscal, governance and social reform agenda. The tapering of quantitative easing by the US Federal Reserve will be orderly, with no sudden stop of capital flows to emerging economies. Fitch assumes that the global economy will improve gradually over the forecast period. The world's real GDP growth is projected at 2.9% and 3.2% in 2014 and 2015, compared with 2.3% in 2013 Contact: Primary Analyst Art Woo Director +852 2263 9925 Fitch (Hong Kong) Limited 2801, Tower Two, Lippo Centre 89, Queensway, Hong Kong Secondary Analyst Andrew Colquhoun Senior Director +852 2263 9938 Committee Chairperson James McCormack Managing Director +44 20 3530 1286 Media Relations: Wai-Lun Wan, Hong Kong, Tel: +852 2263 9935, Email: wailun.wan@fitchratings.com. Additional information is available on www.fitchratings.com Applicable criteria, 'Sovereign Rating Criteria' dated 13 August 2012 and 'Country Ceilings' dated 09 August 2013, are available at www.fitchratings.com. Applicable Criteria and Related Research: Sovereign Rating Criteria http://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=685737 Country Ceilings http://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=715618 Additional Disclosure Solicitation Status http://www.fitchratings.com/gws/en/disclosure/solicitation?pr_id=824892 ALL FITCH CREDIT RATINGS ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMERS. PLEASE READ THESE LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMERS BY FOLLOWING THIS LINK: HTTP://FITCHRATINGS.COM/UNDERSTANDINGCREDITRATINGS. IN ADDITION, RATING DEFINITIONS AND THE TERMS OF USE OF SUCH RATINGS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE AGENCY'S PUBLIC WEBSITE 'WWW.FITCHRATINGS.COM'. PUBLISHED RATINGS, CRITERIA AND METHODOLOGIES ARE AVAILABLE FROM THIS SITE AT ALL TIMES. FITCH'S CODE OF CONDUCT, CONFIDENTIALITY, CONFLICTS OF INTEREST, AFFILIATE FIREWALL, COMPLIANCE AND OTHER RELEVANT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE 'CODE OF CONDUCT' SECTION OF THIS SITE. FITCH MAY HAVE PROVIDED ANOTHER PERMISSIBLE SERVICE TO THE RATED ENTITY OR ITS RELATED THIRD PARTIES. DETAILS OF THIS SERVICE FOR RATINGS FOR WHICH THE LEAD ANALYST IS BASED IN AN EU-REGISTERED ENTITY CAN BE FOUND ON THE ENTITY SUMMARY PAGE FOR THIS ISSUER ON THE FITCH WEBSITE.