Senate Trade and Commerce Committee Chair Koko Pimentel III said on Wednesday that administration Senate bets “would continue the commendable job done by President Rodrigo Duterte in maximizing the country’s economic potential.”
Pimentel also vowed to propose and pass more laws aimed at improving investments, infrastructure, and skills education, while at the same time addressing public and corporate governance to “make us more competitive and productive.”
The Philippines was cited recently by Oxford Economics, a London-based global forecasting think tank with offices in New York, Sydney and Singapore, as among the 10 emerging markets that will dominate the world economy in the next decade.
“We need a team that would work harmoniously with the Executive Department not for any selfish political agenda, but to further build on the gains to improve our economy.”
The country was rated second overall, behind India. The firm observed that “the large island group is set to have the highest increase in its labor force of any of the top 10 which, alongside its GDP growth of 5.3 percent, means it will be one of the world’s fastest growing economies.”
The senator from Mindanao noted that the Administration “has democratized access to tertiary education with the Free College Tuition Act. It benefits at least 1.3 million young Filipinos and equips them for jobs domestically and abroad.”
“The recently-signed Rice Tariffication Act aims to lower rice prices, and we’re already seeing that in the market. President Duterte likewise continues with his Build, Build, Build program which has improved our road and transport system and upgraded our infrastructure especially in underserved provinces,” added Pimentel.
These achievements, according to Pimentel, confirm the general assessment even by outsiders that the Philippines is an emerging force in the world economy.
“The admin bets represent the best group of leaders who can further push the country forward.”
“The President’s partners in the legislature would ensure that the government’s programs are given focus and funding. We need a team that would work harmoniously with the executive department not for any selfish political agenda, but to further build on the gains to improve our economy,” stressed the lawmaker.
The University of the Philippines-trained lawyer added that he was encouraged by the warm and intense reception of the public during their campaign sorties.
“The electorate and the citizenry in general are clearly sensing the urgency of having a strong, hardworking contingent for the next Senate, a team focused on action, not rhetoric and fear-mongering. The admin bets represent the best group of leaders who can further push the country forward,” said the reelectionist legislator.
Pimentel, who topped the 1990 Bar Exams, enumerated improving corporate governance and investment regulation as well as reforms to labor regulations as among possible future pieces of legislation that he and the Senate would focus on, if given the chance to serve again.
“A stronger law-based, productivity-driven country is our goal for the next three to six years. We will continue building on the gains made by the Duterte administration.”
