Duterte pronouncements seen positive for business

The local and foreign business community felt reassured and encouraged as President Rodrigo R. Duterte directed his Cabinet to honor existing contracts and implement measures to further ease doing business in the country.

These, among Duterte’s pronouncements on Thursday, were lauded by the business groups, who noted that the directives of the President for his department secretaries and heads of agencies were in line with their proposals to create a more conducive investment climate in the Philippines.

In his speech after taking oath as the Philippines’ 16th President, Duterte ordered his Cabinet to reduce requirements and the processing time for all business applications.

“I order all department secretaries and heads of agencies to remove redundant requirements and compliance with one department or agency, shall be accepted as sufficient for all.”

He also ordered them to “refrain from changing and bending rules, government contracts, transactions and projects already approved and awaiting implementation.” “Changing the rules when the game is ongoing is wrong,” he added.

“The message of President Duterte that contracts will be honored and that rules should not be changed in the middle of the game should be very positive for business. We are optimistic of the incoming administration’s support for business and economic growth, under a backdrop of improved efficiencies in government processes and peace and order,” said Philippine Stock Exchange president Hans Sicat.

According to European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines senior advocacy adviser Henry Schumacher, the pronouncements made by Duterte were “issues high on our agenda. We are on standby to assist in the implementation.”

Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (Philexport) president Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis Jr. said Duterte’s “first orders to his Cabinet to cut red tape and to respect the sanctity of contracts show that his pronouncements during the campaign and during the business forum were no idle words, but will be the foundation of a stable relationship with business and foreign investors.”

“It’s very reassuring and will put to rest whatever doubts (that the business groups) have,” Ortiz-Luis added.

George T. Barcelon, president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), cited how Duterte showed humility and commitment to be of service to the country. He also lauded the pronouncements of Duterte to further improve and make more efficient the operations of all government agencies as well as to lessen the bureaucracy in order to provide better services to the public.

“We (also) laud Duterte’s first order to all Cabinet secretaries to reduce requirements and processing time of all applications across agencies and remove redundancies in these requirements and to respect the sanctity of contracts.  We further laud his statement that the country will honor all existing treaties and international obligations,” said Makati Business Club executive director Peter Angelo V. Perfecto.

“We are encouraged as well by his call for inclusivity in the ongoing and other peace processes, particularly of indigenous peoples. Finally, we are pleased to hear that both Duterte and Vice President Leni Robredo have called for the nation to work together and set aside personal interests to reach our shared vision for the nation. In response to their calls, we reiterate our commitment to work closely with the new government to make people’s lives better, safer and healthier,” Perfecto said.

Management Association of the Philippines president Perry Pe added: “I thought (Duterte’s speech) was clear, concise and direct to the point. Ease of doing business is MAP’s theme and advocacy. So we are very happy. Honoring of contracts is laudable. He really showed leadership and focus—President of all and not of one.”