Credibility of the Philippine Central Bank: Evidenced by the Interest Rate Pass-Through

Abstract

This study investigates the Philippine interest rate pass-through over the December 2001 through January 2016 period. The empirical findings suggest that the Philippine Central Bank has not been very effective in formulating and implementing its countercyclical monetary policy. Specifically, the empirical results reveal very low short-run and long- run interest rate pass-through. The Bounds test results indicate no long-term relationship between countercyclical monetary policy and market rates. Notwithstanding the banking system's remarkable performance in the recent years, amid lingering uncertainties in global financial markets, the Philippine Central Bank lacked the credibility in conducting its countercyclical monetary policy. This empirical finding may not be desirable but it forewarns the monetary policy makers of challenges in formulating and implementing their monetary policy.