As the country awaits the official proclamation of the presidential and vice presidential elections, two of the country’s most influential business groups — Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) and Makati Business Club (MBC) — extended their congratulations to Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Sara Duterte for their victory in the 2022 elections.
In a statement, FFCCCII said “Congratulations to former Senator Ferdinand Bongbong" Romualdez Marcos, Jr. and Mayor Sara Duterte Carpio for your election victory as the next President and Vice-President of the Philippines.”
For its part, MBC said “As the country awaits the official proclamation of the presidential and vice presidential elections, the Makati Business Club congratulates Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Sara Duterte for their victory in the 2022 elections.”
“The Filipino people have spoken and we, as well as other members of the business community, look forward to working with the incoming Administration, Congress, and local governments to build our economy and to create jobs and opportunity.”
The Makati-based business group also commended the efforts of the other candidates, who helped produce the largest voter turnout in history.
“We thank the teachers and other election officials, the election monitoring groups, volunteers and the voters who cast ballots in record numbers. We urge everyone to channel the energy mustered during the campaign to work together to drive the changes expected by people to bring about greater inclusiveness, an improvement in peoples’ lives and prosperity for all,” the MBC concluded.
Similarly, the FFCCCII also commended the electorate nationwide for performing the civic duty of voting in record high numbers, to all public school teachers and other personnel as well as our leaders and the Comelec for the successful conduct of the May 9, 2022 election.
“This is a victory for Philippine democracy and stability. A smooth election and the peaceful transfer of power are strong foundations for political and social stability needed for economic development,” the group of Filipino-Chinese businessmen said.
Stressing they are a non-political umbrella federation of 170 Filipino Chinese chambers of commerce from Aparri to Tawi Tawi, FFCCCII said “We fully support our duly elected leaders.”
Meantime, the Filipino-Chinese business group said they are optimistic about the Philippine economic recovery due to the country’s sound monetary and fiscal policies, positive macroeconomic, demographic fundamentals even as the group also urged to continue and increase socio-economic reforms.
FFCCCII also listed 18 top priorities for all sectors to work on, and not rely on government.
The long priority list includes the following: safeguard and improve public health; create more jobs;bolster investor confidence, also consumer confidence; invest in better education, in more research and development; economic recovery through sustainable and inclusive economic growth; modernize agriculture for food security, price stability and rural progress; enhance widespread coverage, transparency and efficiency of social safety nets and “ayuda” or assistance to marginalized sectors of Philippine society; continue and expand Build, Build, Build program for new infrastructures; support micro, small and medium-scale enterprises; protect and assist local manufacturing, especially export enterprises; revive and strategically develop the tourism industry; attract more foreign direct investments (FDIs) by continuing anti-red tape and other reforms; ratify the world’s biggest free trade area called the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership; promote creative industries; protect the environment; promote alternative energy sources; upgrade information communication technology; and galvanize our independent foreign policy.