By JIMMY CALAPATI

After placing among the world’s top seven central bankers with Grade "A" last year, Bangko Sentral ng Pilpinas (BSP) governor Amando Tetangco was graded a notch lower or "B" by New York-based magazine Global Finance.

Global Finance said Tetangco and the BSP could have acted earlier in battling the twin forces of rising inflation and slowing growth.

"With inflation increasing steadily in the seven months prior to June, arguably BSP could have shown its resolve a little sooner," Global Finance said in its latest annual survey.

"Tetangco showed he is not afraid of being a little heavy-handed when the situation demands it, with a 50 basis point rise in July to combat the second round effects of rises in oil and commodities prices," the magazine added.

"Fortunately for Tetangco, GDP growth is slowing only moderately despite the rate rises and remains above 4 percent year-on-year," Global Finance said.