Country Profile
From The Report: The Philippines 2017
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The Philippines began witnessing sustained economic growth and increased efforts to curb corruption during the six-year term of former President Benigno Aquino III, who ended his presidency in mid-2016. Long-time Davao City mayor, Rodrigo Duterte, won the 2016 election, which was characterised by a historic 82% turnout rate, and took office on June 30, 2016. His government aims to push forward major infrastructure investments to improve internal and external connectivity. Macroeconomic fundamentals have continued to improve, as has transparency, and the country’s biodiversity, natural resources and young demographics have been increasingly recognised as assets.

This chapter contains interviews with President Rodrigo Duterte; and Le Luong Minh, Secretary-General, ASEAN.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Across the pacific: A diverse country looks to build on a record of growth
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An archipelago of 7107 islands that spans an area of 300,000 sq km, the Republic of the Philippines lies south of Taiwan and east of Vietnam, and is bounded in the west by the South China Sea and in the south by the Sulu and Celebes Seas. With a complex history marked by successive waves of migration and periods of colonisation and occupation, the Philippines is home to a host of ethnicities and languages across its roughly 1000 inhabited islands. In the period since independence, achieved…

Interview

Promises kept: President Rodrigo Duterte, on eradicating corruption and maintaining strong economic growth
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Interview: President Rodrigo Duterte In what ways does the administration plan to pursue economic growth that is inclusive and accelerates rural development? PRESIDENT RODRIGO DUTERTE: Our full-year GDP growth of 6.8% for 2016 is a testament to our strong and robust economy. Our National Economic Development Authority notes that the Philippines is the fastest-growing economy in Asia, even beating other fast-growing economies like China and Vietnam. The government strives to sustain or even surpass…

Overview

Changing of the guard: The election of a high-profile president has captured the world’s attention and raised expectations for continued growth
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President Rodrigo Duterte assumed his six-year term as the 16th president of the Republic of the Philippines on June 30, 2016. A last minute candidate, Rodrigo Duterte won the May 2016 elections by a wide margin to become the first president from Mindanao, the country’s southernmost and second-largest island. Elections not only brought about a new leader for the 101m-strong country but widespread change through the executive and legislative branches of government at the national and local…

Interview

Working together: Le Luong Minh, Secretary-General, ASEAN, on plans to support and develop ASEAN member states
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Interview: Le Luong Minh As the ASEAN Chair in 2017, how can the Philippines further cooperate with ASEAN countries? LE LUONG MINH: This year is a very important for ASEAN as it marks the 50th anniversary of its establishment. In this regard, we hope member states will continue to offer their full support to the Philippines in commemorating the 50th anniversary of the organisation and continuing to implement the ASEAN Community integration agenda, including the priority deliverables for 2017. For…