Philippine economy powering ahead, drug war no impact

Manila

THE Philippine economy has sustained one of the fastest growth rates in Asia, official data showed on Thursday, which analysts said signalled strong economic leadership from President Rodrigo Duterte even as he wages a controversial war on drugs.

The economy expanded by 6.4 per cent on a yearly basis in the first three months, the government said, which was slightly lower than expected but still the second fastest in the region after China.