Le Figaro to feature special report on Phl

MANILA, Philippines - A team of key political and economic writers of the leading French newspaper Le Figaro is in Manila for an upcoming special report on the fresh initiatives of the Philippine government under the Aquino administration.

Jean Michel Metthey, international director of the paper, and his colleague Joachim Lanthier flew to Manila last week to do this special report for Le Figaro, recognized as the most influential newspaper and read by decision-makers in the French government. Metthey handles the World News Report that does country reports for Le Figaro.

Metthey told The STAR about the forthcoming report in the French national daily that boasts of a readership of over “two million internationally-minded decision makers and key personalities” in over 53 French-speaking countries from Africa to Southeast Asia to Canada and all over Europe.

Metthey noted there is renewed interest in France about the country with the recent election into office of the son of the country’s late President Corazon Aquino, who had impressed the French people after being swept into the presidency in the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution.

He recalled the very close and warm relations that the Philippines has with France, especially during the administration of Mrs. Aquino, who was invited as guest of honor of then President Francois Mitterand during the 200^th anniversary celebration of the French Revolution.

“After the special place that Cory Aquino has held in the hearts of the French people since her historic state visit in 1989 celebrating one of France’s most important events, the election of her son is seen as a new opportunity to establish greater mutually beneficial relations between the two nations,” he cited.

Mrs. Aquino returned to France in 1992 after she stepped down from the presidency.

Through Le Figaro, Matthey pointed out, the French people will get to know the latest developments in the Philippines in the series of “special reports” his team is coming up with for their widely read newspaper.

“The Philippines is quite interesting in many ways,” he said.

“Also because it’s one of the countries that has not been seriously affected economically by the crisis. It’s one of the economies that has shown that it’s quite resilient with the financial crisis,” he added.

The French national daily, founded in 1826 and published in Paris, is the oldest and largest (in terms of paid copies) national newspaper in France. 

“Our readers want to know where the opportunities in terms of investments are and what exactly are the realities on the ground, and what are the realities about the laws, incentives, and the policy that will take place with President Aquino,” he pointed out.

Since 2004, Le Figaro is controlled by Serge Dassault, a conservative businessman and politician best known for running the aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation, maker of French fighter planes like Mirage and Falcon. Dassault is a former mayor and is currently a senator from the Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) party and is known as a close ally of French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

Wikipedia described Le Figaro’s editorial line as center-right and has generally been supportive of the UMP, the ruling party of incumbent Sarkozy. The UMP, founded by former French President Jacques Chirac in 2002, is described as composed of center-right parties currently with an absolute majority in the French National Assembly and a plurality in the Senate.

Metthey and Lanthier are conducting interviews with a number of top Philippine government officials and key leaders in business and industry as well as media.

Miguel G. Belmonte, president and chief executive officer of The Philippine STAR, is among the key personalities who will be featured in this upcoming special report of Le Figaro.

“The basis of the report will be positive in which the recently won elections of His Excellency Benigno Aquino III of the Republic of the Philippines will be strongly cited along with the political and economic agendas that he wishes to implement,” Metthey pointed out in his letter to Belmonte.

“Another goal will be to encourage foreign investors to invest in the Republic of the Philippines by showing the numerous qualities and opportunities that the country has to offer,” Metthey said.

Metthey said Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. and presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda have been “very helpful” to Le Figaro by providing materials for its special report on the Philippines. After their initial interviews in Manila, the team will also visit Cebu and Palawan.