Officials say Philippine economic growth accelerated to 7.1 percent in the third quarter, among the fastest in Asia. Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said Wednesday that household spending, a continued rebound in exports, public construction and higher farm output boosted growth. He says the economy grew 6.5 percent for the first nine months of the year and is likely to exceed the government's 5-6 percent growth target for 2012, according to a report of the Associated Press.
