"The economic axis has shifted to Asean," said Roberto Juanchito Dispo, president at Manila-based First Metro Investment Corp, citing the consumer base of Association of Southeast Asian Nations and increased trade within the region.

The government plans to sell P10 billion of 5-year bonds, 10 billion of 7-year bonds and P5 billion of 10-year bonds, said Roberto Juanchito Dispo, executive vice president at First Metro Investment Corp., one of the eight local banks given the mandate for the retail sale.

First Metro president Roberto Juanchito Dispo said that the company participated in 60 percent of last year's record breaking deals of P625.6 billion. Dispo said the company is confident that this year, when the much awaited ratings upgrade will happen will be a "breakout" year. "Our company, as a matter of business strategy, will take advantage of the numerous opportunities that will come our way but will remain optimistically cautious," Dispo said. It holds an aggregate 70 market share in peso-denominated corporate and government debt transactions. With assets of P79 billion and a market capitalization of P21.9 billion as of end 2012, it is the largest investment bank in the country today. Dispo said that the treasury group alone made a solid P1.22 billion income for the period, P41 million higher than last year's income of P1.18 billion.

First Metro Investment executive vice president and Treasury Group Head, Roberto Juanchito Dispo said. IPVG Corp.

First Metro Investment Corp. senior vice president Roberto Juanchito Dispo said the proposed acquisitions involved power facilities in Palawan island and Visayas provinces.The purchases will be undertaken via a joint venture arrangement with Mirant Philippines, which operates under the name of Global Holdings.Whilst not disclosing how much will be spent acquiring the five plants, he confirmd the three facilities already purchased cost the company P5 billion (US$90.44 million).