Manulife Philippines president and chief executive Rahul Hora said the company is optimistic that its business momentum will remain intact despite the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
While the crisis complicates the immediate outlook, Hora said the insurer performed strongly in the initial months of the year. He said the domestic economy remains resilient and that increased consumer awareness is fueling investment in the company’s products.
“Before this recent crisis broke out, we were actually doing quite well. The local domestic economic situation continues to be resilient, and awareness of our products is driving continued investment,” Hora said.
The executive observed that while customers typically take time to evaluate how new financial products fit their specific priorities, there has been a significant increase in the uptake of the company’s offerings.
Growth continues to be spearheaded by long-term savings and health insurance. Manulife expanded its health portfolio last year with a medical reimbursement product and plans to launch a new version of its health offerings in April.
Regarding economic volatility, Hora said the company is educating clients on the importance of diversification to manage an unpredictable global environment.
“Whether it’s the current Middle East crisis or other uncertainties, diversification helps ensure our customers are not overly concentrated in one area. Long-term savings and health continue to be our two main areas of focus and growth,” Hora said.
The company remains confident that its current trajectory will persist throughout 2026, provided that external shocks do not significantly worsen, he said.
