The sharp increase of the country’s ranking in Grant Thornton’s International Business Report is a firm indication that growing political and economic security is driving investments up in an unprecedented scale.

We have found our niche in the world through the faith and excellence of Filipinos all over.

Planning, productivity and good governance have combined to place the Philippines among the top ten destinations for booming companies growing at a faster rate than average, measured against turnover and employment.

Business process outsourcing, high tech initiatives and tourism potentials lead the road forward. We are in the right place and time to receive super investments for a supersonic journey to the ranks of the First World by the next generation.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said today the survey of the Grant Thornton’s International Business Report (IBR) ranking the Philippines eighth among 32 countries that host companies with "super growth" index is a "firm indication that growing political and economic security is driving investments up in an unprecedented scale."

In her keynote address at the 26^th Biennial Convention of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) that opened today at the Fiesta Pavilion of the Manila Hotel, the President said the sharp increase in the country’s ranking in Grant Thornton’s IBR was due to sound planning, governance and productivity.

The Philippine ranking improved 15 notches from 23^rd last year.

"Planning, productivity and good governance have combined to place the Philippines among the top 10 destinations for booming companies growing at a faster rate than average, measured against turnover and employment," the President said.

She noted that investments that come pouring into call centers and business process outsourcing (BPO), high tech initiatives and in tourism have immensely contributed to the country’s improved ranking.

"We are in the right place and time to receive super investments for a supersonic journey to the ranks of the First World by the next generation," the President said.

The Philippines has been touted as the most favorable place for investments in Asia for BPO, call center and other information technology-related industries owing to the Filipino workers’ patience and high command of the English language.

"We have found our niche in the world through the faith and excellence of Filipinos all over (the world)," the President said

"I have no doubt that the Filipino will prevail against all odds and against the politics of tearing down and destruction—building on the foundations of a new economy keyed to needs of the world and to the skills of our people—as we shape a secure democratic future for peace, unity and security," the President told the over 700 participants, representing 170 chambers of commerce nationwide, attending the convention.

The President thanked the Filipino-Chinese community for their unwavering support to her administration and for being "instrumental in the realization of these unprecedented gains -- gains that have strengthened our fight against poverty, ignorance, disease and injustice --in our fight for freedom, peace and prosperity."

Aside from increased confidence on the country by the international financial community that has led to billions of pesos of new investments that helped create five million jobs, the President said the goal to balance the budget and avoid going into debt have been among the gains the Arroyo administration achieved with the help of the Filipino-Chinese community.

"The Federation was there for me…you were there for us when things seemed uneasy for business and politics…you brought hope and optimism when others were inclined to paint a canvass of gray skies," the President said.

She noted that there is much more to be done as she urged everyone to "continue to share responsibility" in order to achieve economic prosperity, social justice and peace and security for a "new modernizing Philippines."

"We must not only hold on to our gains, but push them forward with the tools of national unity and solidarity—as mandated by your theme: ‘Shared Responsibility to Sustain the Growth Momentum," the President said.

PGMA asks FFCCCII help to ensure clean and peaceful May polls

With barely six weeks more before the May 14 midterm elections, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo sought today the help of the Filipino- Chinese community in the conduct of a peaceful and clean elections.

"I seek your help for clean and peaceful elections in May," the President said in her keynote address at the 26^th Biennial Convention of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. at the Manila Hotel today.

The President expressed hopes that the May polls are "about the future, not the past."

"The elections should be about new ideas, not old complaints. And it should be about fighting for a stronger nation, and not just fighting," the President said.

The President stressed the need for unity and teamwork "not tearing down or rending our cherished institutions" in achieving business and national prosperity.

With barely six weeks more before the May 14 midterm elections, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo sought today the help of the Filipino-Chinese community in the conduct of a peaceful and clean elections.

"I seek your help for clean and peaceful elections in May," the President said in her keynote address at the 26^th Biennial Convention of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) at the Manila Hotel this morning.

"We are hopeful that the May elections are about the future, not the past. The elections should be about new ideas, not old complaints. And it should be about fighting for a stronger nation, and not just fighting," she added.

The President stressed the need for unity and teamwork, "not tearing down or rending our cherished institutions," in achieving business and national prosperity.

She assured the Filipino-Chinese community that she has left politicking to the candidates as she remains focused on the national agenda that include the creation of more jobs and promotion of stable prices and peace and order.

Meanwhile, Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio R. Bunye deplored the opposition’s insistence "to engage in a campaign of hate instead of performance, ambition instead of platform."

Bunye was reacting to published reports saying that the opposition is supporting congressional candidates who would vote to impeach the President in the next Congress if they won in the May elections.

"It is unfortunate that the opposition is only campaigning to tear down this administration and not to build up the lives of the people. The prospect of impeachment has already been struck down twice by the people but the opposition insists on it because it wants to engage in a campaign of hate instead of performance, ambition instead of platform," Bunye said in a statement.