Economic growth in the Philippines fell sharply in the third quarter, coming in far below expectations, which the government's chief economist called a sign that the country needed more than fiscal reforms to spur expansion.

Gross domestic product rose by 4.8 per cent in the three months to September 30, down from the previous quarter's 5.8 per cent, as gains in farm and factory output flattened because of bad weather and weaker growth in exports.