Malacanang said 2019 had been an “exemplary” year for the Philippines.
In a statement yesterday, Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said the economy “is on a roll with a BBB+ rating. The Board of Investments has also breached its P1tn 2019 investment target as of October 2019, according to the Department of Trade and Industry. There are fewer poor Filipinos with almost 6mn lifted out from poverty. Employment has hit a 14-year high. Inflation has been tamed.”
Panelo also cited the latest Social Weather Stations survey indicating that 96% of Filipinos were entering the New Year with hope rather than fear.
He said “a similar survey, done by another independent pollster, also revealed earlier that practically all Filipinos are welcoming the new year with hope and positivity.”
Panelo also cited the “successful” hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games, with the Philippines taking the overall championship with a 385-medal haul, 149 of them gold.
These are reasons “to be confident in the new year under the leadership and administration of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte,” he said.
“Significant strides have been made with the president undertaking difficult but game-changing reforms which are important in achieving our goal of bringing a more comfortable life for all Filipinos,” Panelo said.
“As we wish each Filipino a happy, peaceful and successful 2020, we assure everyone that the best is yet to come. Let us continue to rally behind the Duterte administration as the chief executive does his best in serving and protecting the Filipino people, as well as delivering genuine and meaningful change to our nation,” he added.
In a separate interview over DZIQ radio, Panelo that Duterte continues to wish for a peaceful and prosperous new year for all Filipinos and vows to uplift the people’s conditions.
Panelo: seeking support for president
