FVR continues role of selling RP to foreign investors

THE HAGUE, Netherlands -- Former President Fidel V. Ramos took time out here from duties as adviser to the World Water Commission and immersed himself in the role of top Filipino salesman, convincing groups of investors that setbacks in peace and order and the economy pale beside the country's democratic strengths.

The widely travelled former chief executive has consistently delivered a message of confidence during his month-long lecture swing that took him to Singapore, the United States and many European capitals.

While staunchly forecasting Philippine economic and political resurgence in this millennium, Ramos has been candid about investment drawbacks in his country. But he has taken pains to credit his successor, President Joseph Estrada, with sincere pro-poor sentiments.

In Singapore, where he delivered the keynote address at the Asia-Pacific Regional Investors Forum last March 2, the former president shrugged off new coup rumors, saying the best defense against military interventionism is good government.

Before the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, he expressed confidence in Filipinos' unwavering commitment to democracy, noting how troops held loyal to then president Corazon Aquino through the three failed takeovers by young military officers.

The former chief executive, while warning against complacency among democratic peoples, said growing market reforms in Asia and other developing countries have shortened the lifespan of military dictatorships.

The Philippines is one step ahead in this regard, he noted, because they have already experienced orderly and smooth transitions since dragging down the Marcos dictatorship in the 1986 EDSA People's Power revolt.

At the inaugural ASEAN Lecture on the region's economic prospects and political landscape in the 21st century, Ramos stressed Philippine stability, saying the military has learned to defend constitutional authority and channel its energies into support services for economic takeoff and social unification.

Before the Filipino community in London, where he spoke last March 6 at an International Institute of Strategic Studies seminar and met former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, he encouraged compatriots to invest savings in small- and medium-term Philippine enterprises.

"As you were capable partners of my administration, I ask that you give my successor, President Joseph Ejercito Estrada, and his administration the same kind of trust and support you have me, if not more so," the ex-President appealed.

In Lausanne, Switzerland, last month, he acted as Asia's elder statesman, urging governments to root out decades of corruption and address structural flaws that led to the 1997 financial crisis.

Speaking at a forum of the International Institute of Management and Development, he called on the region's corporate giants to overhaul business policies that stress connections and privilege over efficiency and innovation.

The former military officer who breathed life to a moribund economy and stabilized a highly polarized society from 1992 to 1998, also spent his US visit easing expatriate concerns over negative Philippine news in global media.

Keynoting the annual meet of Opportunity International in Chicago, he said the continent's slow and often painful drive for lasting peace would be fulfilled to usher in the touted "Asian century" -- a reference to investors' eastern stampede before markets took a tumble three years. -- ASPAC News