What do you think of the investment pledges worth $2.7 billion that President Aquino gained from his US trip?

Felix Ramento, USA: It’s a positive development that could bring about a bullish market and the sort of business confidence needed to achieve a faster rate of economic recovery under the Aquino government.

Alexander Raquepo, Ilocos Sur: These are just pledges. I want to see the real thing: lower unemployment rate, better income, stronger peso and decreased poverty incidence.

Vote of confidence

Miguelito Herrera, Cabanatuan City: I hope all the pledges materialize. This is a clear sign that his administration has the full trust of the United States. Congratulations, President Aquino, for your hard work and continued vigilance to effect good governance.

Jim Venercion, Naga City: This shows the renewed confidence of American businessmen in the Philippines as an ideal place to put their investments. I hope these will benefit ordinary Filipinos.

Delfin Todcor, Quezon City: The investment pledges worth US$2.7 billion suggest a vote of confidence by the US government and investors o President Aquino and his Cabinet members. The President and his men should then lead by example and do their best to be responsible for the investment pledges.

Lourdes Gayle Gamilde, Ilocos Sur: It shows that Filipinos are bestowing trust on our President. Our trust must not be wasted. Honesty should prevail among the ones responsible for the $2.7-billion pledges.

Mary Grace Carolino, Ilocos Sur: Perhaps the United States and other countries believe in the presidency of P-Noy and in us Filipinos as well.

Dan Niño Adviento, Ilocos Sur: I think that investments are good as long as they will be used for the betterment of all. These investment pledges also show that many trust P-Noy with their money. 

Old pledges

Jose Fabello Jr., Cagayan de Oro City: If the pledges are new, then I take my hat off to the President. But if some of those pledges have been promised to GMA before, then credit must be given to her, too.

Still premature

R. Los Baños, Las Piñas City: Let’s not count the chickens yet. This is probably the same thing as pledges made to former Presidents Fidel Ramos and Gloria Arroyo and it could be the same people making similar vows now that another Aquino has become president.

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: There’s nothing to crow about as these are merely pledges. I’m on a wait-and-see mode but I’m ready to acknowledge it as a job well done if this will become a reality that will spur the development of our nation.

Pinky Amador Bartolome, Metro Manila: To see is to believe.

Lydia Reyes, Bataan: How I wish those pledges would materialize. Baka drawing lang yan.

Dennis Montealto, Mandaluyong City: In this case, to see is to believe. And let the investment pledges trickle down to those who have been affected by the economic downturn.

Almira Lea Alejandre, Ilocos Sur: It’s good that other countries have put their trust in our President so we must, too. These investment pledges are indeed a great help to our country but let’s wait until these are fulfilled.

Lolong Rejano, Marinduque: Nice to hear about the $2.7-billion gained from President Aquino’s US trip. Let’s just hope that all these pledges will translate into concrete investments. I remember that the past administration of Mrs. Arroyo always brought home investment pledges but we did not notice or feel the effects of these. We need “kwenta”, not “kwento”, Mr. President.

Nicole Anne Battad, Ilocos Sur: This shows that others have faith in the abilities of P-Noy. And since other countries believe in him, we must, too. But we have to wait first if those who made the investment pledges will fulfill their commitments.

Desuel Pardo, Mandaluyong City: May those investment pledges be real and not just another lip service.

Mica Mae Galacgac, Ilocos Sur: Pledges are just like promises they are made to be broken. Wait until these investment pledges are fulfilled.

Jesus Mendoza, Pangasinan: The US investment pledges are mere pledges and the investors can always change their minds. Besides, those pledges may have strings attached to them.

Selected beneficiaries

Rose Leobrera, Manila: I hope that the pledges will push through and will not only remain as promises. If this is the case, his trip could be considered fruitful. However, I am sorry to say that only those who will take charge of those pledges would benefit. Investors will again have a hard time kasi marami na naming mang-aabuso.

Independence is at stake

Ana Igloria, Laguna: It appears that the Philippines is still very dependent on foreign assistance. For a country suffering from poverty and economic instability, the $2.7-billion investment pledges bring hope but at the same time affect our sense of independence as a nation. Foreign investors keep entering our country to make profit. But look at our rich resources, they are slowly depleted.

Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: It has been our perennial predicament that we depend on foreign investors when we have many wealthy Filipino millionaires who are instead engaged in jueteng or other illegal businesses.

Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City: The $2.7-billion investment pledges are just promises that may or may not be realized. Let us just learn how to be self-sufficient.

Job well done

Stephen Dilisciandro, Houston, Texas: Good work.

AJ Arranchado, Metro Manila: That’s why I voted for him.

Prone to corruption

Robb Batak, Metro Manila: Mapupunta kaya ito sa mga board of directors ng government-owned and controlled corporations? Ano kaya ang mababago? O, mga GOCC board directors, limpak-limpak na naman na salapi ang mapapasa sa inyo para di kayo mainip.

Elmo Cruz, Manila: That amount will surely go a long way in alleviating poverty. But that is only if honest people will handle the money.

Good news

Marjorie Gumana, Metro Manila: Thank God.

Louella Brown, Baguio City: The investment pledges worth $2.7 billion that President Aquino gained from his US trip is good news for our economy. But we need more.

I.Q. Calata, Parañaque City: It’s good news that a neophyte President was able to fetch investment pledges of that amount. We only hope they will be fulfilled.

Common practice

Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City: As usual, pledges are abundant from the international business community. This is common during state visits. But then, only a few will ultimately come over to the Philippines.

Robert Young Jr. San Juan City: It’s SOP for visiting heads of state to bring home pledges from host countries especially if the latter are developed countries. It will give the impression that that the heads of state accomplished something and that the millions spent for their trips were worth it. But more often than not, only a few of these pledges come to reality.

Edwin Chinel Monares, Rizal: Everytime a President of the Philippines goes abroad, he brings home with him or her a package of investment pledges. But oftentimes, these are just pledges or would require conditions which our ailing system could not provide. Had all the pledges to past administrations been realized and properly utilized, our country would have found itself in a better state. There is no substitute to good housekeeping and a strong internal economy as a basis of expansion of investments. Our national leaders should see the economic potentials within and harness them effectively by crafting appropriate policies and having the political will to ensure good governance.

Sound economy

Deo Durante, Camarines Sur: The pledges mean that we have a sound economy ahead under President Aquino’s governance. The US trusts our government with these investments. However, pledges are still pledges. We need to wait for the realization of these promises.

Celina Denise Javier, Vigan City: It only shows the trust of other countries in the Aquino administration. With this development, our country is heading for success.

Armando Tavera, Las Piñas City: This would be a big boost when infused into the economy and would also create more job opportunities for Filipinos.

Dr. Jose Balcanao, Benguet: Such investment pledges could generate a thousand jobs. This is one pragmatic way to eradicate hunger and alleviate poverty. It will also boost trade and economic relations between the US and the Philippines. Furthermore, it will show to the world that our country is one of the globe’s top destinations in terms of investments.

Ruben Viray, Antipolo City: Well and good for our country. It will bring in more investors, improve the economy and create more jobs. However, these are only pledges and have yet to materialize. Let’s keep our fingers crossed.

Cris Rivera, Rizal: Well and good. We need it, and together with the US MCC grant of $433 million, the $2.7 billion will push our economy one step ahead of its current status.

Ed Alawi, Davao City: We hope this time that the $2.7 billion pledges will materialize to expand the existing American businesses here and create more jobs for Pinoys.

Diony Yap, Bacolod City: Let’s hope for the best. With P-Noy’s leadership, we hope that the new grants will help rebuild our ailing economy.

Lucas Banzon Madamba, Laguna: The investment pledges will help boost the economic conditions of our country by generating more jobs, establishing and improving infrastructure projects, reducing poverty and hunger and developing the livelihood conditions of the people. I hope that the dollar investments that the Philippines obtained from the United States will be put to good and productive use for the benefit of the entire Filipino community. The $2.7 billion dollars and the $434 million millennium package, which the United States gave to the Philippines, will be a big help to the Philippine economy.

Media hype

Johann Lucas, Quezon City: This is just media hype to justify his US junket. I believe the investment pledges will hardly materialize.

Gerii Calupitan, Muntinlupa City: I think it’s purely showbiz.

Complementary action

Leandro Tolentino, Batangas: Unless our PCOS President acts with dispatch on the hostage and jueteng mess in his backyard, the investment pledges would surely vanish into thin air.

Window dressing

Manuel Abejero, Pangasinan: Pledges are promises. Banks call it ‘credit line’, and are covered by conditions imposed by the lending institution or grantor if it is a grant, upon the borrower or grantee. If the lender or grantor requires a borrower to hire consultants, they would probably recommend their own people, and a big part of the loan or grant goes to these consultants. Sometimes the government resorts to window dressing just to meet the requirements.

Good luck to P-Noy

Tintin Halos, Metro Manila:I wish President Aquino all the best. After all, our country’s future is in his hands.

The Way I See It

Ofelia Ibay, Pangasinan: Kaya pinapa-approve ni P-Noy ang RH Bill ay dahil iyon ang prerequisite ng US para tayo pautangin. Time pa lang ni GMA sabi ni Hillary Clinton.

Reactions

Roger Caravana, Bulacan: The headline and the editorial of your news issued October 2 are very timely, serving as an eye-opener to everybody, Catholics and non-Catholics alike.

Ed Angeles, Pasay City: Dear editor: If someone enters a mosque to disrupt worship, under what law can he be charged? Art.133 is up to date, not medieval.

Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.

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