MANILA: The Philippine economy grew slower than expected in the third quarter, as risks from a leadership change next year and the El Nino dry spell loomed, the government said on Thursday.

The slowdown comes after years of sustained growth in the Philippines, formerly known as the “Sick Man” of Asia because of its poor economic performance.

Gross domestic product (GDP) expanded by 6 per cent in the July to September period, faster than 5.8pc in the previous quarter but below the 6.3pc median expectation of economists in a Bloomberg News poll, as a slowdown in manufacturing weighed on growth in services and public spending.

“Clearly, the outcome of the national election will have an impact on the economy,” economic planning secretary Arsenio Balisacan told reporters.

“We are hoping that whoever will get elected will speed up and sustain the reforms so we can raise the potential of the economy,” he said.

Published in Dawn, November 27th, 2015