The Middle East war and a major corruption scandal drove Philippine economic growth to a five-year low, officials said, adding future targets would be lowered, AFP reports.

Gross domestic product expanded 2.8 per cent for the three months to March, sharply down from the 5.4pc in the same period last year, the Philippine Statistics Authority said.

It was also a dip from the 3.0pc growth registered in the final quarter of 2025, the agency said.