Q4 ‘challenging’ unless gov’t acts firmly against corruption

THE fourth quarter will be challenging for businesses unless the government delivers a concrete resolution to the infrastructure corruption scandal, participants at the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) Annual General Membership Meeting said on Monday.

- By Justine Irish D. Tabile Reporter

"Kaya may dapat na tapusin bago matapos ang taon." - Sen. Imee Marcos

(BW FILE PHOTO)

Former Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. President Cecilio K. Pedro said corruption makes it challenging for businesses to thrive even during the peak Christmas season.

"This year is going to be very challenging (in the) last quarter," he said on the sidelines of the MAP meeting.

"We have to see some concrete resolutions, whether it's putting people behind bars, or it's the system being changed, or the budget going to the right places," he added.

He said that unless the government sets things in motion, business sentiment will remain weak until next year.

"Kapag hindi naayos ito (if this is not fixed), next year will be more challenging. So, that is for us very crucial, especially for businessmen. We want to see things being changed. This is a good opportunity to change. Lumabas na e, dati nakatago e, ngayon lantad na (Things are out in the open and cannot be hidden)," he said.

"Anong gagawin natin? Anong gagawin nila? (What will we do? What will they do?) That will determine the future. It is up to them to do the right thing, and then we can move forward," he added.