Statements

MBC POSITION PAPER ON BILLS ON FOREIGN INVESTMENT LIMITS, FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESSION, AND SENATORIAL ELECTION

    The Makati Business Club (MBC) thanks the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Chairman Rufus B. Rodriguez for inviting the business community to share their views on several legislative measures filed in the 18th Congress and now with the committee. The organization respectfully submits this position paper on HCR 1, HC 788, HJR 3, HJR 4, and RBH 2 covering federal government, foreign investment restrictions, the election of senators, and the election of an Acting President.

    Joint Statement on the Rice Tariffication Law and Agricultural Development

      The Rice Tariffication Law (RTL or RA 11203), signed on February 14, 2019, ended the more than 30-year policy of quantitative restrictions (QRs or import bans) on rice import in favor of the shift to tariff as the main instrument in protecting our palay farmers. The RTL favors tariff as a trade instrument because it is more transparent, compared to government-to-government transactions, as anyone who is willing to pay the tariff imposed by the government can import rice.

      Joint Statement of Support for Moderated Increase in Pay of Public School Teachers and for Fiscal Prudence

        We, the undersigned business and professional organizations, believe that better education is a top national priority. We need it to make the Philippines and Filipinos more competitive, secure and productive. We recognize, appreciate, and value public school teachers as central to this goal, aside from being important leaders of our communities, including during election time. They deserve to be compensated better and given better training opportunities and tools, and we join other sectors in making that a goal.

        STATEMENT ON WATER SHORTAGE

          March 25 – Makati Business Club supports the efforts that Manila Waterworks and Sewerage System, other authorities, and Manila Water Co. are taking to investigate the water shortage that occurred this month in order to alleviate the situation, take steps to avoid or limit a repeat, and determine accountability and responsibility.

          Statement on Press Freedom

            21 February 2019 – The Makati Business Club expresses its concern about the arrest of Rappler CEO Maria Ressa on February 13, 2019. Especially while there are questions about whether the law is applicable, we believe the authorities should err on the side of the freedom of the press that is a bedrock of all our rights and liberty.