Business groups vow full support for Duterte

Philippine business groups are extending their full cooperation and support to presumptive President Rodrigo Duterte, as they sought to secure a conducive environment for further growth of the economy.

“We congratulate the newly elected leaders. We assure them of the cooperation and support of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) in providing a stable and enabling environment for further growth of the economy,” said PCCI president George T. Barcelon.

“In full partnership with all sectors of our nation, we join in the effort to create more businesses, more employment to benefit more people,” he added.

For its part, the Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) has assured its full support to the new leaders, which it has “consistently and usually done in the past irrespective of personalities, not only because it is apolitical, but because it is the right thing to do for our nation.”

“FPI sincerely congratulates President Duterte as well as the other elected officials who are all enjoined to steward the country in a manner that is for the best interest of the people and the country,” it said.

Both groups likewise hailed the orderly, peaceful and credible elections held on Monday.

“It set a high standard of quality for free and fair election in the future. With the tabulation and transmission of a big portion of votes all over the country overnight, the automated process has gained public confidence in our democratic process,” Barcelon said.

The business leaders had also hoped that Duterte would reach out to them in lining up priority policies and charting the sustained growth of the local economy.