PH capital markets resilient amid political developments —shareholders group

The Philippines’ capital markets will remain resilient even as the investing community anticipates unfolding political developments after the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte to face the International Criminal Court (ICC), the Shareholders Association of the Philippines (SharePhil) said Wednesday.

At the sidelines of its general membership in Makati City, SharePhil chairperson Ma. Aurora Geotina-Garcia explained that “from our point of view, the political situation has an impact on [the] markets.”

However, Geotina-Garcia said that “markets would improve or go down because of the political environment, so we cannot divorce it… the capital market cannot be divorced from the political situation.”

Philippine authorities on March 11 assisted the Interpol in serving a warrant of arrest from the ICC against Duterte for alleged crimes against humanity in connection with his deadly drug war, and a plane set off to bring him to The Hague the same day.

Last Friday, Duterte faced the ICC via video link, while his counsel former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea was present inside the court.

The next hearing on the confirmation of the charges has been set for Sept. 23, 2025. 

Malacañang has, likewise, expressed confidence that foreign investors will continue to invest in the Philippines despite the current political noise.  

"[T]he business community is still optimistic that this can all be resolved intelligently and peacefully for the benefit of the country,” Geotina-Garcia added.

“You could probably say it has survived ups and downs… it would be able to withstand, I think. It has proven to be resilient. I’m confident that the capital markets can survive despite all of the happenings,” she said.

“I think, historically, the business community is able to thrive and respond to these kinds of challenges.”

Real estate research and consultancy firm Colliers International Philippines had also pointed out that the country’s property sector is not being distracted by the issue.

“I think the investment environment is rather conducive because we do have a strong economy, businesses are confident about expanding, or growing their companies,” the SharePhil chairperson said. — BM, GMA Integrated News