TWO LANDMARK measures signed into law by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte this month — one expanding the mandate of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and another liberalising the rice trade — are expected to enhance the country’s financial and macroeconomic stability, according to debt watcher Moody’s Investors Service.

Last Wednesday, PTT Exploration and Production announced its US$750-million (Bt23.63 billion) acquisition of an additional 22.2-per-cent stake in the Bongkot gas field from subsidiaries of Royal Dutch Shell.