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MANILA - Local businessmen by and large welcomed President Benigno Aquino III's 3rd State-of-the-Nation Address, which was littered with "lots of positive news" that gave the private sector something to look forward to in the next four years.
"The business community is very positive and confidence is high. What the President said are all positive signs. To give him credit, the government is doing what it said it will do. His mission of transparency and accountability and his policy of daang matuwid, he's doing it," Eduardo Francisco, president of the Management Association of the Philippines said.
Peter Angelo Perfecto, executive director of the Makati Business Club, said the President's address may receive a "good rating" from the business community after covering all the "important things" - from education to infrastructure, tourism and agriculture.
"He gave very concrete commitments by the time he will step down and discussed the weak points like education and infrastructure and they are zeroing on those weak points," Perfecto said.
The businessmen also lauded the President's mention of key legislation, such as the bill on responsible parenthood, a measure on mining revenue-sharing, and amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering Act.
"I think it was inspiring and I think as businesses have expressed before, the government is doing the right things. The economic indicators that have been coming along, he affirmed those in the SONA," Perfecto said.
Despite a long speech, which lasted for nearly an hour and 30 minutes, it failed to touch on certain points, other businessmen said.
"I was hoping he will make some specific mention on SMEs and exporters, but it's okay. I guess the SONA will be received differently depending on what business you are in," said Sergio Ortiz-Luis, president of Philippine Exporters Confederation, adding that he was nevertheless "happy" with the President's report on infrastructure and tourism.
"There are a few things that needed an extra push like FOI, but you can't include everything in the SONA," said Perfecto, referring to the Freedom of Information bill.
Francisco also called Aquino's speech "refreshing" as it had shown his humor while reiterating his administration's battle against graft and corruption.
“It’s good he mentioned about justice: the plunder case against former president Gloria Arroyo, the Ampatuan massacre. It’s very clear that they do intend to pursue these cases because they were not really pursuing them as aggressively as they should,” Perfecto said.
Francisco also welcomed Aquino's stance on the Philippines' territorial dispute with China as not being "too adversarial but very diplomatic."
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