The Philippine economy, long seen as one of Southeast Asia's more resilient engines, has slowed to its weakest pace since 2021, expanding just 2.3 percent in the second quarter as construction faltered and domestic spending retreated. The shortfall against the government's own targets is not merely a statistical disappointment — it signals that the post-pandemic momentum has plateaued, leaving policymakers caught between the twin imperatives of taming inflation and sustaining growth. Central bank governor Eli Remolona now faces the ancient dilemma of those who govern through uncertainty: how t