MANILA (Reuters) - The U.S.&nbsp;Federal Reserve's monetary policy actions now are seen less of a factor for the Philippine central bank's decision-making, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Deputy Governor Francisco Dakila Jr said on Thursday.
"Even if the&nbsp;Fed&nbsp;decides to pause from its policy tightening, which it did this morning, we&nbsp;may&nbsp;not&nbsp;move&nbsp;in complete&nbsp;lockstep&nbsp;if domestic inflation warrants a different response," he said, speaking at a livestreamed investor briefing in Singapore.
While Dakila reiterated the BSP's forecast that inflation will ease to within the official 2%-4% target range starting in the fourth quarter, he&nbsp;noted that the&nbsp;Fed&nbsp;was "still quite hawkish and emphasized the continued vigilance and the possibility of further adjustments in monetary policy".
The BSP kept its benchmark interest rate steady at 6.25% at its last policy meeting, pausing its tightening cycle that began last year, with inflation - which slowed for a fourth consecutive month in&nbsp;May&nbsp;at 6.1% - on track to easing back towards the target band.
Dakila said the BSP's policy-making monetary board, which meets on June 22 to review interest rate settings, remains data-dependent in making its own policy decision.
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(Reporting by Enrico Dela Cruz; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman and Christian Schmollinger)

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Philippines may not move in lockstep with Fed on rates