PH leaps in economic freedom; ‘yes’ to calls for lasting peace – Manila Bulletin

Published February 21, 2017, 10:00 PM

By Fred Lobo

Fred M. Lobo

The Philippines has leapt 12 places to 58th from 70th in the annual Index of Economic Freedom, said the Washington-based Heritage Foundation.

Economic performance, sustainability and reforms are okay.

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Meanwhile, the call for the resumption of peace talks between the government and communist rebels continue to draw support from various sectors.

Peace is more productive and better than war between Filipinos.

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Despite the challenging global economic environment, the Philippines has achieved notable economic expansion, driven by the economys strong export performance and inflows of remittances that have bolstered private consumption, the Heritage Foundation said in its 2017 Index of Economic Freedom released this week.

Translation: PH economic indicators are healthy and encouraging.

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The HF said the Philippines achieved an Economic Freedom Score of 65.6 out of a possible 100, which is significantly better than the global and regional averages.

PH also ranked 14th among the countries in the Asia-Pacific that were surveyed, it added.

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HF noted that the improvement in the prosperity ranking brings the Philippines into the first-third of the countries evaluated by the index, adding that since 2010, the Philippine rank has increased fifty-one (51) spots from its rank at 109 and when the country was identified as Mostly Unfree in its economic competitiveness.

PH standing improving among 180 countries surveyed.

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The 2017 survey which focused on 12 independent factors called Economic Freedoms, with the addition of Judicial Effectiveness and Fiscal Health this year, noted Philippine improvements in property rights (+19.2); monetary freedom (+2.9); and labor freedom (+.1).

Freedoms thrive in PH.

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HF, while noting some problems in the absence of entrepreneurial dynamism, still needed institutional reforms and a weak judicial system, said it recognized that the Government is pursuing a series of legislative reforms to enhance the overall entrepreneurial environment and develop a stronger private sector in order to generate broader-based job growth.

Some fiscal reforms have been accomplished, too, it said.

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The Philippines firmly registers today as a Moderately Free country, said Patrick A. Chuasoto, Charge dAffaires of the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C.

This apparently jibes with Pinoys love for the song Born Free.

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It clearly indicates the sustainability of the robust and excellent Philippine economic performance of the last few years. We hope that this underpins continued business and investor confidence in one of Asias most dynamic economies, Chuasoto added.

So let it be. Let it be.

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Meanwhile, various sectors welcomed the Communist Party of the Philippines call on President Duterte to reverse his previous order calling off peace talks with the communist insurgents.

Yes to return to the negotiation table, they said.

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The communist bloc said in a statement (the CPP) and the New Peoples Army (NPA) reiterate their support for efforts to forge a bilateral ceasefire agreement.

So let the Philippine Government (GRP) and the National Democratic Front (NDF) meet again in Utrecht, Netherlands to discuss the proposal, it added.

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Government Chief Peace Negotiator Jesus Dureza and GRP Peace Panel Chairman Silvestre Bello III welcomed the CPPs call, saying we share the same commitment to work for just and lasting peace in the land.

It is now up to the President, whatever he orders, we will follow, Bello said.

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Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Eduardo Ao said the military was not totally closing its door on peace negotiations with the communists.

The Armed Forcesthe soldiers want the peace talks to succeed he said.

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National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon said that he is also in favor for the peace negotiations to get back on track.

While we are doing war, we cannot attain (or) have a modicum of progress he lamented.

So let us all stop the war! And exert greater efforts toward lasting peace!

Tags: Economic performance, Fred Lobo, Heritage Foundation, Index of Economic Freedom, Manila Bulletin, mb.com.ph, PH leaps in economic freedom; yes to calls for lasting peace

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PH leaps in economic freedom; 'yes' to calls for lasting peace - Manila Bulletin