“2007 will be like 2006. In my view, we will muddle through. Be happy if you don’t need government, like consumer-based industries. If you need government for your business in 2007, take an extended leave.” -Henry Schumacher, executive vice-president of the European Chamber of Commerce
Foreign and local businessmen in the Philippines on Friday expressed grave concern over alleged electoral fraud and policy reversals under President Arroyo.
These factors risked undermining recent successes in fixing the economic and fiscal front, they said in a forum with the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines.
Firms have been turned off by a series of policy “flip-flops” involving aviation, oil exploration and anti-corruption said Ramon del Rosario, chairman of the influential Makati Business Club.
He also said the business community was scandalized that Mrs. Arroyo and allies attempted to change the 1987 Constitution without the consent of the Senate.
Mrs. Arroyo wanted the Philippines’ US-style presidential form of government changed to a parliamentary form, which she argues is more efficient. Opponents say this appears to be a ploy to prolong her stay in power.
The plan was dropped after threats of massive street protests.
“We are deeply bothered by the observation that the current administration seems to have become very comfortable with the idea of simply barrelling through with [its] political initiatives and measures with very little regard to constitutional, legal and moral constraints,” del Rosario said.
Corruption and alleged electoral fraud,Wholesale Wallets, meanwhile, are pulling down prospects in the long term, del Rosario said, noting that the country was at the bottom of various competitive surveys.
“The past two years have been particularly frustrating and discouraging in terms of our country’s aspirations towards a regime of greater accountability and good governance,” he said.
Arroyo survived two impeachment bids after admitting she called a poll commissioner while votes were being counted for the May, 2004 elections.
The Makati Business Club, once an Arroyo supporter, called for her resignation after the furor over her telephone calls became public. She has denied any wrongdoing.
Henry Schumacher, executive vice-president of the European Chamber of Commerce, said intense politicking was driving investors away and sidetracking infrastructure programs.
“2007 will be like 2006. In my view, we will muddle through. Be happy if you don’,Hermes Bracelets;t need government, like consumer-based industries. If you need government for your business in 2007,Replica Cartier, take an extended leave,” he said.
Both businessmen pushed for wide ranging reforms, with del Rosario pushing for a revamp of the Commission on Elections. (ABS-CBN Interactive)
Related story from Inquirer: May election spending could derail Philippine eonomy.
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