Statements

BUSINESS GROUPS’ POSITION PAPER ON THE PROPOSED SHIFT TO A FEDERAL SYSTEM

June 18, 2018 –We, the undersigned Philippine Business Groups, respectfully submit this position paper on the government’s plan to shift to a federal system.

Our economy has achieved robust expansion in recent years, and it is imperative, in the interest of more inclusive growth, that we continue to improve on our competitiveness and our ability to attract job-creating investments through stable policies and reduced uncertainty.

Statement on Respect for the Constitution and the Rule of Law to Assure Filipinos and Investors

The Makati Business Club calls on the country’s political and judicial leaders to let the House of
Representatives and, if so determined, the Senate follow the impeachment process set forth in the
Constitution against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno. Regardless of the outcome of the process,
giving the chief justice the chance to defend herself within our constitutionally-defined process is
essential to demonstrate this country’s respect for the rule of law and to assure all Filipinos that we are
protected by our laws.

PH ONE SPOT HIGHER IN GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS RANKINGS AT 56th, BUT SLIDES DOWN TWO SPOTS IN ASEAN RANKINGS IN THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM (WEF) GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS REPORT (2017-2018)

27 September 2017 – The Global Competitiveness Report 2017-2018, published today, sees the Philippines going up in global competitiveness rankings by 1 notch, from 57th in 2016 to 56th in 2017. However, the country has slid down the ASEAN rankings, now standing at the 7h out of 9 in the region, from 5th in 2016 (as
Myanmar has not been included in the Report since 2016). With this two-point drop in regional standing, the Philippines is now below Vietnam and Brunei Darussalam, which both made large strides in their respective competitiveness rankings

STATEMENT ON THE RECENT FILINGS OF IMPEACHMENT COMPLAINTS

14 September 2017 – The Makati Business Club remains steadfast in its position that an impeachment process is a vital part of the country’s democratic system of checks and balances. However, we are deeply concerned over the unprecedented number of impeachment complaints lodged against high-ranking officials from the President, the Supreme Court Chief Justice, the Ombudsman and the COMELEC.