OPENING STATEMENT

SEC. ANDANAR: Good afternoon Rocky. Magandang hapon po sa lahat ng miyembro ng MPC at sa lahat ng nanunuod ng PTV at nakikinig po sa Radyo ng Bayan.

The memo to all Cabinet members and agencies regarding the release of official statements is meant merely to facilitate communication line and harness any Palace message to avoid confusion or disinformation.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea was making clear the delineation of tasks in the Executive in the interest of shared goals that are aligned with the President’s aspiration for a safe, secure, and better future for Filipinos.

On the release of one Indonesian kidnap victim and one Filipino businesswoman from Zamboanga Del Norte, government’s focused military operations against the Abu Sayyaf or ASG continue to gain headway. This successful rescue operation was a result of continuous collaboration with different units of the AFP and PNP, with the help of civilians who informed and alerted troops on the presence of armed men.

On Standard & Poor’s assessment to maintain the country’s BBB investment grade ratings, we welcome S&P’s decision as it gives government greater resolve to make our economy growth robust, sustainable, and inclusive.

The fundamentals of the economy are solid and strong. We are the fastest growing economy in the second quarter of 2016 and we shall seize this economic momentum to bring about inclusive development to our people. Any hiccups to slow growth… or any hiccups to slowdown growth will depend on the overall performance of global economy.

The President’s commitment in the anti-illegal drug campaign and criminality will enhance the country’s image to attract more foreign investments. Peace and order is a must for investors to invest more in the country. And we thank the Filipino for having a better appreciation of the positive changes now happening under this administration.

As we all know, consumer optimism soared at the start of this presidency.

Questions please?

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:

Maricel Halili (TV 5): Hi, sec. Good afternoon. Just a clarification on the memo. Does it mean that it’s synonymous to a gag order against other Cabinet secretaries, so only the official spokesperson and PCO are allowed to speak on behalf of the President?

SEC. ANDANAR: Hindi naman siya synonymous to a gag order, Maricel. Ang ibig lang hong sabihin ng memo ay kina-klaro lang ho nito kung saan manggagaling ang official message ng ating Pangulo at kung meron po tayong mga katanungan or if we want to clarify some of the pronouncements of the President ay dumaan ho tayo sa Presidential Communications Office.

As a matter of fact, nakalagay po doon sa memo ni Executive Secretary Bingbong Medialdea, na kapag tinanong po ang mga kalihim patungkol sa mga bagay na may kinalaman sa kanilang departamento, e pwede po naman silang sumagot. Wala po namang nakalagay doon na hindi na pwede magpa-interview ang ating mga kalihim.

Reymund Tinaza (Bombo Radyo): Sir, so just to clarify also, with regards to CPLC Atty. Panelo because he usually answers questions on the matters being asked by the reporters. So he’s not barred to answer any queries from the reporters as a CPLC or can we clarify on how we could quote him?

SEC. ANDANAR: Wala namang barred dito. Si Secretary Sal Panelo ay isang magaling na abugado, matalino, at siya po ang Chief Presidential Legal Counsel. So kung ano pong sasabihin ni Secretary Sal Panelo ay meron po siyang karapatan bilang Chief Presidential Legal Counsel.

Ang nais lang po ipaabot ng ating Executive Secretary Bingbong Medialdea ay ‘yung mga official statements lang po ng ating Pangulo.

Mr. Tinaza: Thank you sir.

Pia Ranada (Rappler): Sir, just on your statement on the Standard & Poor’s rating, as it gave a positive outlook or it retained the outlook from the previous years, but it also noted weaknesses under the Duterte administration, specifically his statements on foreign policy and national security. What is the Palace’s message with regards to this perceived weakness? And how do we assure businessmen or investors that despite these weakness, or you know, maybe to disregard this weakness? What is our message, what is our reaction to that clause?

SEC. ANDANAR: ‘Yung tanong mo ay gusto mo ng detalyadong sagot, kaya ko po ininvite dito ang ating Secretary ng DTI para mamaya ipaliwanag niya ‘yung mas detalyadong sagot sa mga katanungan po ninyo.

Ms. Ranada: Pero sir just on the Palace statement, since he’s speaking as a DTI Secretary, how about the Palace’s official statement?

SEC. ANDANAR: That was the official statement I gave earlier.

Ms. Ranada: Sir, that was your official statement on the general outlook, but I’m asking sir about the ‘yun nga ‘yung clause na the weaknesses regarding President Duterte’s statements causing people to think that hindi na po stable ‘yung business environment. Does the Palace have any comment on that specific–?

SEC. ANDANAR: Tuloy-tuloy po naman ang programa ng ating Pangulo patungkol sa ating ekonomiya. Nandiyan po ‘yung ‘poverty alleviation na ipapababa ang ating poverty rating from 26 to 17 percent. Ito po ‘yung ating target ano. At tuloy-tuloy pa rin po naman ‘yung ating roadmap to peace, itong roadmap to peace ay napakahalaga po nito para mas maging stable po ang ating seguridad, stable ang ating bansa. And therefore, makakatulong po ito sa ating pangkalahatang ekonomiya.

Celerina Monte (Manila Shimbun): Good afternoon sir.

SEC. ANDANAR: Good afternoon.

Ms. Monte: Sir, related to your statement earlier that any hiccups depend on global economy. So are you not… are you saying that right now there’s no risk domestically on our economy?

SEC. ANDANAR: What I’m saying is that we are a globalized economy and since kasama po tayo sa globalized economy, we are very much dependent also on our ASEAN neighbors and we are also dependent on the other regions. Now, any ano, any changes in the economy abroad, in the world economy will definitely also affect the Philippines.

Ms. Monte: But domestically wala kayong nakikita so far?

SEC. ANDANAR: Domestically we’re okay. Very strong.

Ms. Monte: I’m asking that because there was in relation to the statement of S&P that they were somewhat concerned on the predictability of the policy making daw of the Philippines, because it’s somewhat diminished under this administration?

SEC. ANDANAR: The President has time and again reiterated na lahat po ng mga kontrata ng mga nakaraang administrasyon ay rerespetuhin po ng ating Pangulo, lahat po ng mga treaties na pinirmahan natin kasama ‘yung ating mga allies ay rerespetuhin ng ating Pangulo. So far wala namang inabrogate na kontrata or mga pinirmahang treaty ang ating gobyerno. We are very consistent.

Jona Viray (Asahi Shimbun): Good afternoon sir. I’m Jona from Asahi Shimbun.

SEC. ANDANAR: Good afternoon. Hi Jona.

Ms. Viray: I just like to ask about the President’s trip next week to Vietnam. What gains do we hope to get out of it? And after Vietnam, there’s supposed to be a trip to Japan, and I’d like to confirm the dates as well as that for China?

SEC. ANDANAR: Malaki po sa… Malaking objective po sa ating biyahe o sa working visit ng ating Pangulo sa ASEAN, sa Vietnam at sa iba pang bansa ay ang ating bilateral economic trade at mamaya ay sasagutin po ‘yun ni Secretary Mon Lopez.

Ms. Viray: Are we going to discuss the South China Sea issue during the Vietnam trip?

SEC. ANDANAR: It will be discussed I’m sure.

Q: [off mic]

SEC. ANDANAR: Ah, tinanong mo ‘yung Japan and China? Ang sigurado kasi ‘yung Vietnam. So…

Q: [off mic]

SEC. ANDANAR: Mamaya… Wala pang binibigay kasi sa akin sa opisina na kung, ‘yung eksaktong petsa para sa Japan or China ‘no.

Ms. Viray: Sir, which will come first, the trip to Japan or China?

SEC. ANDANAR: Siguro antayin natin ‘yung official work from the Department of Foreign Affairs para hindi po tayo makuryente.

Benjie Liwanag (DZBB): Sir, good afternoon.

SEC. ANDANAR: Good afternoon.

Mr. Liwanag: With regards doon sa panibagong statement ng Pangulo sa EU, anong take ng Palace dito? Have you talked with the President about this sir?

SEC. ANDANAR: Naglabas kami ng statement about that yesterday at ‘yung take po namin dito ay ‘yung konteksto ng ating giyera kontra iligal na droga sa Pilipinas ay dapat maintindihan ng ating mga kaibigan sa European Union.

Mr. Liwanag: Will this not affect investments coming from European Union dito sa Pilipinas sir?

SEC. ANDANAR: Hindi naman siguro dahil wala naman din tayong mga kontrata na nilalabag or mga kinakansela sa European Union. Tuloy-tuloy naman ang negosyo, ang kalakalan between our country and the European continent.

Mr. Liwanag: Isa pa sir. Isa sila doon sa pinaka-malaking naibigay, naibahagi ‘nong sinalanta tayo ng Yolanda. ‘Yung relationship between the EU and Philippines, are we considering this as matatag pa rin or–?

SEC. ANDANAR: Hindi, matatag pa rin. Again ‘yung sinasabi po ng ating Pangulo at inuulit po natin ay we have an independent foreign policy at tayo po ay isang soberenya na dapat ho nirerespeto ng ibang soberenya o ibang organization or regional organization.

Mr. Liwanag: Thank you.

Catherine Valente (Manila Times): Hi, sir. Follow-up lang po doon sa memo. Ano po ‘yung maaaring mangyari if ever po ‘yung mga Cabinet officials they will not follow po such order? Meron po bang penalty or–?

SEC. ANDANAR: Wala naman. Wala naman, Catherine. Ang ibig sabihin lang ho ‘non ay…

Q: [off mic]

SEC. ANDANAR: Oo, squat. ‘Di ang ibig sabihin lang ho ‘non ay para maliwanagan ho tayo lahat, hindi lang ang media, maging ang mga miyembro ng Gabinete na ang official statement ng Pangulo at official line ay manggagaling sa Presidential Communications Office, maliban ho sa Pangulo, kung sa kanya mismo nanggaling. ‘Yun ho ang ibig sabihin niyan.

At this is to also manage the expectation of the public na kung hindi galing sa PCO ang pagpapaliwanag doon sa hinihingi niyong klaripikasyon ‘no ng sinabi ng ating Pangulo ay hindi ‘yun opisyal. Ang opisyal ay galing sa PCO unless sinabi po ng ating opisina na “mas kayang ipaliwanag sa’tin ni Secretary Mon Lopez.” Then siya ho ang magiging official spokesperson for that particular issue.

Rocky Ignacio (PTV 4): Like Secretary, question lang din, halimbawa ‘yung statement coming from the Department of Justice, ang nag-release ay PCO, pwede namin sabihin official statement na rin ng Palace ‘yun?

SEC. ANDANAR: Oo, kasi usually naman Rocky pag ganon, halimbawa meron kaming correspondence ni Secretary Vit Aguirre, ay pinapaalam ko naman sa kanya. Sabi ko: “Sec, kami ba magre-release nito o kayo?” So pag sinabi niya, “Hindi kayo na mag-release niyan.” So that’s the only time that we… that I also release a statement.

Ms. Ignacio: Yes, okay. Thank you Secretary.

Mr. Tinaza: Sir, just your statement to the recent pronouncement of Secretary, ay Senator De Lima. She’s saying that she no longer feels safe after the developments in the House inquiry. Sir, is there a basis for her fear of threat or any danger to her life?

SEC. ANDANAR: ‘Yung basis ho na ‘yun ay si Senador De Lima lang ho ang makakasagot dahil hindi pa ho kami naguusap tungkol doon sa sinabi niya. Pero whatever the Senate does or the Lower House does, it’s really up to them ‘no. Kung ano po ‘yung mga imbestigasyon na nangyayari sa Mababang Kapulungan at sa Senado ay ito po’y dahil sila’y independent at coequal branch of government at wala hong kinalaman at wala hong ano, wala hong… hindi ho makikialam ang Palasyo.

Mr. Tinaza: Sir, because she was saying that she no longer also she doesn’t trust anymore the authorities even her, perhaps her, police escorts. Is there actually a move from the government to go after her to… I mean just to pressure her to, I mean, to give up?

SEC. ANDANAR: Hindi ko alam Reymund e. Pero, let me call the senator and ask her.

Mr. Tinaza: Yeah, but nonetheless, is she assured from the government side of her safety?

SEC. ANDANAR: You know everyone is assured. We are all Filipinos. We are citizens of this beloved country. At lahat po tayo bilang Pilipino ay may karapatan ho tayo na bigyan seguridad ng ating kapulisan at ating mga sundalo.

Rida Reyes (GMA): Hi, sir. Good afternoon po.

SEC. ANDANAR: Good afternoon.

Ms. Reyes: Sir, follow-up on Senator De Lima, kanina po she was asking po for clarification doon sa sinabi ni Secretary Aguirre na meron siyang tinutukoy na mas mataas pa kay Senator De Lima na apparently ay involved sa drug trade sa Bilibid, ito raw po ba si PNoy?

SEC. ANDANAR: Hindi ko alam kung sinong tinutukoy ni Secretary Vit Aguirre.

Mr. Liwanag: Sir, ganon pa rin, kay Senator De Lima, ang statement ni Senator De Lima kanina parang ‘yung pinilit daw umano ‘yung ilan sa mga tumestigo or may kapalit kaya pinagsasalita. What’s the take… Ano po ang take ng Palace dito?

SEC. ANDANAR: The Senator is entitled to her own opinion and the Senator, of course, is defending herself, that’s her right. Sa tanong na ‘yun Benjie, ang dapat sumagot doon ay si Secretary Vit Aguirre na mas malalimang sagot.

Mr. Liwanag: Thank you very much sir.

SEC. ANDANAR: Thank you.

Ms. Halili: Secretary, just a follow-up. Sabi ni Senator De Lima, ‘yung mga statement daw na lumalabas ngayon from the government, especially kay Secretary Aguirre is reckless in a way kasi, especially sinabi nga ng meron pang isang higher official from yellow group na involved sa drug trade. What’s your reaction on this?

SEC. ANDANAR: I would rather have Secretary Vit Aguirre answer the statements of the Senator. Kasi sila po ‘yung, sila po ‘yung ano, sila po ‘yung madalas magkita at sila po ‘yung nagkakaroon ng komprontasyon at the Senate or at the Lower House.

Ms. Halili: I understand Secretary that you gave assurance for the security of Senator De Lima. But apparently, dahil doon sa paglabas daw ‘nong kanyang cellphone number sa congressional hearing, ang daming nambu-bully sa kanya sa mga text messages and most of them are Duterte supporters. Do you have any message for the supporters or for Senator De Lima?

SEC. ANDANAR: Yeah, for the supporters po ng ating Pangulo ay maging responsable ho tayo sa ating mga tinetext ‘no. Hindi ho maganda ‘yung we are threatening our ano, our own ‘no. Siyempre Senador po natin si Senador De Lima. She is an elected official of the land. At ganon din po ang ating mensahe sa mga media men na hina-harass sa social media space. I understand that… and we all know that the social media is a free space and we can say whatever we wanna say.

Pero siguro ang pakiusap po natin ay huwag ho tayong magkasakitan ng mga pinopost natin sa social media at lalong lalo na ho ay huwag ho tayong… iwasan ho natin na i-threaten ‘yung ating mga kasamahan sa media. It’s just basic thing, you know. You don’t want something… do unto others what you want others to do unto you.

Henry Uri (DZRH): Secretary, magandang hapon po. Ano na ang kasalukuyang tunay na mukha ng bayan sa larangan po nitong kampanya sa droga? Totoo bang bumagsak na ang supply ng shabu? Nakakalakad na nga ba ng walang sagabal sa Quiapo kahit alas-dos ng madaling araw. Ano ho ba ito? Ito ba’y totoo o isang pahayag lamang mula po sa Palasyo?

SEC. ANDANAR: ‘Yan ay totoo. Ito’y na… Marami tayong mga kaibigan na nagtatrabaho sa gabi, may mga waiters, mga security guard nakakausap natin. Meron din tayong mga kasama sa opisina na sila mismo nagkwekwento sa’tin na hindi na sila nangangamba ngayon ‘no, pag umuuwi sila ng hatinggabi or late at night.

‘Yung mga barangay ho natin ay dinidisiplina po ang ating mga kabataan. Meron ngang may… meron nga nag-kwento, isa sa mga kasamahan ko na dito sa may area ng Cubao ay merong, merong batingaw ‘no. Tapos ‘yung mga bata pag alas-9 umuuwi na. It’s safer at kahit sino naman siguro dito sa loob ng kwartong ito ay kung kayo po ay nakatira sa mga area na… ‘yung kung hindi gated na subdivision ay malalaman niyo na nagbago ho talaga ‘yung ano, ‘yung klima ng ating bayan.

Mr. Uri: Pangalawang katanungan sir, ano ang mas mahigpit pang hakbang ng administrasyon gagawin para sa pagsugpo ng droga? Nagtatapos na ba tayo sa pagpapangalan at dito sa pagpapaharap nitong mga, malalaking tao sa Bilibid na tumestigo ngayon sa Kongreso?

SEC. ANDANAR: Tuloy-tuloy ang programa ng ating gobyerno. Ito’y komprehensibo. Hindi lang… hindi lang ho hanggang sa pag-ano, sa pag… ‘yung operation ng ating kapulisan ‘no. Hindi lang ho hanggang doon sa paghuli ng mga drug pusher o drug user, o pag-surrender. E nandiyan ho ‘yung ating rehabilitasyon na sa ngayon ay tinatrabaho na po ng ating gobyerno. Kasama ‘yung Department of Health, DSWD, kasama ‘yung ating Armed Forces of the Philippines, kasama AFP at kasama rin ‘yung mga faith-based groups.

I understand na si PNP General Bato ay nagpunta ng Colombia… Colombia, oo. Para pag-aralan din ‘yung sistema doon kung papano napababa ‘yung drug use doon.

So mahabang proseso ito. It needs a comprehensive solution. Hindi lang ho ito mangyayari in a… overnight. Nakita po natin ang ating Pangulo, ay humingi po ang ating Pangulo ng anim na buwan na karagdagan, karagdagang anim na buwan. Dahil nakita niya po ‘yung extent ng problema ng ating mamamayan pagdating sa iligal na droga.

Mr. Uri: Sir, kaya niyo bang hamunin at samahan disoras ng gabi kung saan man dito sa Metro Manila ‘yung mga kritikong hindi naniniwala sa kampanya ng administrasyon… tahimik na?

SEC. ANDANAR: Oo, kaya naman. Kaya naman. Kung sinong mga kritiko, ‘di lumabas tayo.

Mr. Uri: Kaya ninyong samahan, kahit saan–?

SEC. ANDANAR: Kahit saan.

Mr. Uri: Kritikal na lugar?

SEC. ANDANAR: Oo, itong Metro Manila naman ay naikot ko na rin ‘nong ako’y police beat reporter. Alam ko naman kung nasaan ang magulo. Alam ko naman kung alin din ‘yung hindi magulo. So, sasamahan ko kahit sino. New York Times, sino pa? New Yorker. Lalo na ‘yung mga foreign, ‘yung mga foreign media ‘no. Pwede natin samahan.

In fact, in fact, ang ginawa ko nga e, every time kumokontak sa’tin ‘yung foreign media ay kino-connect ko sila sa Philippine National Police at sa DILG, kay Undersecretary John Castriciones ‘no, para samahan sila doon sa mga lugar na kilala na talamak ang droga.

Mr. Uri: Alright. Thank you.

SEC. ANDANAR: Thank you.

Mr. Liwanag: Sir, nanuod kayo ‘nong hearing kahapon sa Congress? Paki-linaw nga po ‘yung sinabi ni Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre na nagpapasalamat ‘yung mga preso sa kanya. Maraming tumatawag sa kanya at nagpapasalamat dahil naibunyag na raw po ‘yung iligal na gawain saka gusto nila ng pagbabago. Tumatawag ‘yung sinabi niya. It means may telepono po sa loob ng mga preso, ng piitan?

SEC. ANDANAR: E, kailangan makausap ko si Secretary Vit Aguirre para alamin ko sa kanya kung ano ‘yung ibig sabihin niya doon sa tumatawag.

Mr. Liwanag: Thank you very much.

SEC. ANDANAR: Thank you.

Ms. Ranada: Sir, since earlier you said that President Duterte might… will bring up the South China Sea dispute in Vietnam. Do we know his activities there and who he will meeting, like which officials he’ll be meeting with and what are his activities?

SEC. ANDANAR: Hindi ko pa alam. Wala pa akong schedule, Pia ‘no sa darating na working visit ni Presidente sa Vietnam. But, rest assured that we will provide you, the Malacañang Press Corps.

SEC. ANDANAR: Our resource person is a respected man in the field of business, finance, and investment communities here and abroad. For 22 years, Secretary Mon Lopez has served the business sector as a top executive of RFM Corporation and has handled strategic planning and business development mergers and acquisitions and equity investors group.

He started a solid professional economic trade and industry development career in government including the Presidential Management Staff, the Department of Trade and Industry, and National Economic Development Authority.

Secretary Lopez topped his masters in development economics class at Williams College in Massachusetts, USA and finished his AB Economic Degree at the University of the Philippines Diliman.

And prior to his appointment to President Duterte’s Cabinet, Mr. Lopez has been the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship Go Negosyo’s Executive Director for the past 11 years where he led entrepreneurship advocacy promoting the enterprising culture among Filipinos.

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Malacañang Press Corps, let us all welcome DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez. Palakpak naman.

SEC. LOPEZ: Thank you. Magandang hapon po sa inyong lahat. Thank you Ms. Rocky.

Wala ho tayong prepared statement kung hindi basically all, probably, what we have done in the… ano ‘to, since July 1 or even before July 1 when we assumed office.

Immediately, we tackled on the critical projects that President Duterte has promised to the people. Kasama nap diyan ‘yung improving the business climate, ‘yung ease of doing business, streamlining procedures. Kasama po diyan siyempre ang mandato po natin from the President to really help the micro and small entrepreneurs. Paano mapaganda ang kabuhayan, basically ng buong bayan natin, lahat ng mga Pilipino at ‘yun naman po ang naging adbokasiya rin natin, advocacy natin. Prior to joining government, ‘yung mga matulungan ‘yung mga maliit at mga aspiring negosyante na talagang magtagumpay din sila.

Of course, kasama sa programa natin sa DTI, I can summarize it into three words: trabaho at negosyo. So ang main task din natin, makapag-promote ng mga maunlad at innovative, globally competitive na mga industriya, mga kumpanya, na mage-employ, that will create decent jobs for the Filipinos.

But just like any country, kahit developed na po ang mga bayan. Meron rin pa rin tinatawag na unemployment rate, mga unemployed. At doon naman sa mga unemployed, ine-encourage natin sila, marami pa ring opportunity para mag-negosyo.

Ang kasabihan po: Success is for those who want it most. So we tried to change the mindset of many Filipinos na ang tagumpay pwedeng makamtan kahit sino. Ang tagumpay, walang pinipiling background kesyo nagtapos o hindi nagtapos sa pag-aaral, galing sa mahirap o galing sa mayaman na pamilya. Kahit sino po puwede talagang magtagumpay.

So this is the kind of mindset na itinutulak natin sa lahat ng ating mga kababayan at basically wanting to have an entrepreneurial nation. To us this is the lasting solution, pangmatagalang solution sa poverty, sa kahirapan.

Okay, na parang sabi nga natin noon, change is coming. Ngayon, change has come and we always say that change should come from within. ‘Yung from within, changing our mindset, changing our… the way we think, changing our attitude that we can also do it, we can make it, and make it big.

At pag tayo’y nagtagumpay, tinuturo rin po natin mag-share at tumulong din sa iba. So ang pagtatagumpay, we also– At least in the DTI and even in our previous advocacy po, tinutulak po natin ‘yung pagpalit ng mindset pati ‘yung kaalaman ‘how to.’ Kaya nga po sa DTI, meron tayong mga negosyo centers na ine-establish, kasunod po ‘yun ng ‘Go Negosyo Act’ ‘yung batas na ipinasa at in-initiate nina Senator Bam Aquino, sila Senator Cynthia Villar na magtayo ng mga negosyo centers around the country.

Sa ngayon po, mga 307 negosyo centers na po ang mga naitayo. In fact, just the other day nasa Las Piñas po kami at nagtayo rin kami ‘nong isang negosyo center sa Las Piñas, doon po sa Social Enterprise or Social Enterprise Center ni Senator Villar.

Nag-donate siya ng isang lugar doon para may negosyo center din doon. ‘Yung negosyo center, ito po ‘yung pinupuntahan ‘nong mga kahit sinong Pilipino, hindi kailangan may koneksyon, hindi kailangang may kakilala. Pupunta roon, magtatanong, “Paano ho ba magumpisa ng negosyo?” “Ano ho ba ang magandang negosyo?” “Ano ang mga kailangang malaman para either mag-umpisa o magpalaki ng negosyo?”

Kasi puwede rin pong pumunta doon kahit may existing negosyo na. “Paano ho mag-register sa barangay micro business enterprises?” That will allow them a two-year income tax holiday, na dati po meron ng ganyang batas, hindi ho masyadong nai-implement.

“Papaano, saan ho kami puwedeng manghiram ng kapital?” So meron hong ili-link din sila sa source of capital, microfinance institutions. “Ano ho ba ang mga posibleng… sino ho bang ang mga posibleng buyer pag ganito ang gagawin ko?” Market information.

And then access to mentoring, ‘yun na nga ‘yung pag tuturuan sila paano magsimula. So sa negosyo center, puwede ring mag-register na ng business names. Then in some negosyo centers lalo na pag nasa LGU, ibig sabihin binigyan ng space ng mga mayors doon sa mga munisipyo, puwede rin ang business permit application na.

So end to end. Pag-apply ‘nong pangalan, business name, meron na ring business permit pagkatapos. So ‘yun po ang isang mga, ilan lang sa mga programa pagtulong sa mga micro SMEs.

Kasama na doon sa… dudugtungan ko na rin po– access to machines or equipment at ito po ‘yung binibigay din ng DTI , itong mga shared service facilities na as of… Since we started, we were able to give around 55 new shared service facilities. Ito ho malaki na ang numero nito nasa over 2,000 na po ito. Ang numero ng mga shared service facilities. Ito ho ‘yung mga common service facilities, mga either sewing machines, weaving machines, decorticating machines, ‘yung makakatulong sa productivity at sa production process ng kahit… ng isang grupo ng mga negosyante. Kunwari cooperative sa kahit anong probinsya. Sabihin mo sa Antique, sa Iloilo, sa Batangas, bibigyan ‘yan ng mga equipment na makakatulong sa production activities ‘nong cooperative na ‘yun para mas mabilis ang pag-produce ng mga produkto.

So mukhang gusto nating mag-Q&A na. Sige puwede na rin.

Ms. Monte: Good afternoon sir. Sir, during my interview with you at DTI you mentioned that there was this invitation from Japanese government for a roadshow by… You’re eyeing like October or November. Will this push through and which will come first, the trip of the President or the roadshow?

SEC. LOPEZ: Palagay ko po mauuna ‘yung trip of the President kasi meron ng potential date kung hindi ako nagkakamali sometime end-October. Wala pa rin sa akin, sa amin po ‘yung formal announcement.

Ang alam po namin pina-finalize po ‘yun. ‘Yung roadshow naman po can happen anytime. At kung mamarapatin, we might be able to bring a group of business delegation, mga group of businessmen na isasama natin doon sa working state visit.

Ms. Monte: Ano sir ‘yung agenda, if ever, of the President’s trip to Japan?

SEC. LOPEZ: At least from the economic side nakikita natin ‘yung pagtutulak ng greater trade activities, mas lumaki pa ang ating exports. Ang Japan government… in fact Japan is our biggest trading partner ‘no, number one po ‘yan at the Japanese people in general they’ve been very supportive of the Philippines.

In fact, meron po tayong positive trade surplus ‘no, positive trade balance with Japan. I think our trade magnitude is about 18 billion dollars at we export 12 billion and we import from Japan 6 billion. So ibig sabihin ganon kalaki ang ating trade surplus, 6 billion dollars.

So they’ve been in effect very supportive. They buy a lot of products from us and I think this is one country na talagang tingin namin mapapalaki pa lalo ang pagte-trade ‘no. Malaki rin naitulong, in fact nakita namin malaki ‘yung naging growth nito, mula noong pumasok tayo doon sa Philippine-Japan Economic Partnership agreement, oo, PJEPA, na maganda talaga ‘yung naging export performance natin doon. In other words, malaki ho naging benepisyo sa atin.

Ms. Monte: Are we expecting any agreement to be signed with Japan during that trip?

SEC. LOPEZ: Frankly po, wala po kaming nawo-workout dahil meron na po tayong in effect free trade agreement sa kanila, economic agreement at maganda ang relationship. I’m sure mapapalakas pa natin ‘to with that state visit.

Ms. Monte: Sir phone-in question lang ito: Can you please tell us about the upcoming meeting in the country on the regional comprehensive economic partnership among ASEAN countries as announced by the President in Laos. Who will take part and what’s the objective daw sir?

SEC. LOPEZ: Ang objective po ng RCEP is that itong Regional Comprehensive Economic Parternship, ito ho talaga is to strengthen further ‘yung ating trading relationship with the, with all the participating countries. Ano po ang… Sino po ang kasali dito? It would be the ASEAN, the ten countries.

And in effect, ASEAN will expand the kind of partnership that we have beyond ASEAN, ibig sabihin, isasama po diyan ang Japan, Korea, China. Nandyan din po ang Australia, New Zealand, India.

So each of these countries, meron ng mga ASEAN bilateral relationship, ‘yung tinatawag na ASEAN Plus One. Ang mangyayari ngayon, parang sama-sama itong anim na countries with ASEAN, magkakaroon tayo ng wider parang free trade area. Ang free trade can include either goods or non-goods ‘no. At ‘yun po ang maganda po dito, it means wider trade, partnership.

This means also beyond the 620 million ASEAN, sa China lang ang laki na ng population, mas malaking market para sa ating mga exporters.

Pinu-push din po diyan mga MSME development, meaning to say, if we can train our MSMEs na maging globally prepared, makapag-export sila, mag-supply at makasama sila sa global value chain. So pwedeng ‘yung mga kumpanya from other countries, bibili na sa… ng mga produkto ng mga MSMEs, so talagang lalawak lalo ang mga oportunidad sa pagnenegosyo.

At ito po talagang tinutulak ni President Duterte na mapalaking MSMEs at bigyan lahat ng opportunity paano ba sila maka-expand ng kanilang market ‘no. Kasama po ‘yan sa… when we talk of MSME development.

Locally po — dudugtungan ko na rin – in fact, with the help of President Duterte, nag-oopen, nagta-try po kaming i-increase ‘yung market access by, for example, allowing MSME products in mainstream market. Tulad nong nabisita po namin nong huling bisita sa Indonesia. Nakita natin ‘yung papaano nadi-display, nabebenta ang mga MSME products sa mga, sa regular market, hindi lamang sa trade fair na mga tatlong araw sa isang taon ‘no, kung hindi nandoon sila every day, nabebenta. So, naghahanap po kami ng marami pang pwesto kung saan pwedeng i-display itong micro SME products.

Meron na kaming mga nakusap na malls, ito siguro nabalitaan niyo na. Inumpisahan na namin ang pakikipag-uusap para bigyan ng pwesto ang mga best of OTOP, ‘yung best of MSME product na nandiyan na sa mall.

At magaganda ‘to, parang comparable and competitive versus the other products in the mall. Nakausap na namin ang isang malaking mall, or sabihin na nating pinaka-malaking mall kahapon, at very open sila doon sa konsepto na ‘to.

And the other malls, the other two malls na malalaki, very positive on the concept, and providing, doon pa lang sa pasukan ng mall, mainstream, daanan, hindi nasa sulok, hindi nasa 5th floor, nasa ground floor, bibigyan tayo ng pwesto para talaga available na ‘tong mga produkto na ‘to.

At meron na kaming brand na pri-nopose (propose) ‘Go Local.’ In a way suggesting na local products pero sosyal ang dating, may ano siya… level up na na mga Philippine products. So market access, very important. Ito po binibigay ng… wino-workout ng DTI dahil mandato ni President, pagandahin natin ang merkado ng mga MSME, mas marami silang maibenta, hindi lamang sa trade fair.

Kasama na doon ‘yung we are promoting everywhere we go, iyong… talking to big companies. Sasabihin namin sa big companies tulungan naman natin ‘yung mga maliit nating MSMEs at gawin nating silang… let’s say supplier nong mga raw materials natin o organize natin ‘yung grupo ng farmers, ‘yung mga pananim nila bilhin natin kung tayo ay nasa food or restaurant business.

So, inclusive business, big brother, small brother approach. That’s increasing market access din ng mga maliliit na negosyante and that’s very important po, bibilhin ‘yung produkto ng MSME hindi dahil naawa, kung hindi dahil kailangan ko ‘yan sa negosyo, kaysa sa iba ako bumili, kaysa sa trader, diretso na akong bibili doon sa mga maliliit na negosyante.

Ms. Monte: Sir, last. May specific date na ba kung kalian ‘yung RCEP dito sa Philippines?

SEC. LOPEZ: Merong November meeting in ASEAN that will hopefully discuss further ‘yung… kung ma-finalize natin ‘yang RCEP. Kung hindi man, as you know, tayo po ang ASEAN chair for next year 2017, so isa po sa itutulak din natin ‘yung pagko-complete, pagpa-finalize ng RCEP.

Ms. Ranada: Good afternoon, sir. As Trade Secretary and businessman, how do you think President Duterte’s unpredictability in the form of his aggressive statements affect investor confidence in the Philippines?

SEC. LOPEZ: Unang-una, ang tingin ko po, hindi ho unpredictable. Kasi ho si President Duterte tingin po namin, even sa business sector, siya po talaga determined lang to help the Filipino people, to ensure peace, security, drug-free, illegal drug-free.

‘Yun din po ang pangako sa ASEAN, nagkakasundo doon at siya po talagang he’s just after our welfare. In fact, pag may nagtatanong ho sa akin about itong mga EJK, human rights, ang una ko pong sagot talaga — ewan ko ha, personal ko po ito, hindi po kami nag-usap ni presidential consultant…sorry, spokesperson, PCO Secretary na ano e, hindi ho kami nag-usap how to answer, pero ako personally, ang sagot ko ho doon, ano ho ba iyong EJK?

Kung lumaban ‘yung pulis dahil lumalaban ‘yung hinuhuli niya, right to self-defense. May rules of engagement pong sinusunod ang mga kapulisan. ‘Yung nakikitang ibang mga killings, I believe those are non-police work, mga vigilantes or if not, which we did not– Ang alam ko po ang government does not sanction at may mga investigation na gagawin.

At kung meron man na hindi rin natin alam kung saan nanggagaling, baka sila-sila iyong nagpapatayan, meaning ‘yung mga drug lords mismo nag-uunahan sila.

So wala ho talagang official action that will suggest na EJK, extrajudicial. May investigation… ang ginagawa doon sa mga hindi ma-explain at parang we consider them maybe murders and all that. May mga investigation na mga ginagawa. Pero tingin ko po hindi ho EJK ‘yun. ‘Yun ho ang unang position at pag naimbita rin tayo, nakakausap mga investors, ‘yun ang una naming inexplain.

Pangalawa, there are over, I think 700,000 peaceful arrests. Ibig sabihin wala naman hong namatay, basta nag-arrest, nag… sumuko ng mabuti ay naano naman po sila, naaresto ng matino at wala pong namamatay at walang nasusugatan. So ang dami po noon, compared to whatever 2,000 sinasabing mga killings ay marami hong naarrest na peaceful. At in fact, sa three million na users sila na ho ang lumalantad, napaka-peaceful po.

So the way we look at this, all these are redounding to a peaceful, much peaceful environment, and I’m sure the business sector, the investors would feel safer. They can go out in the street, hindi na ho natatakot.

In fact, isang statistics na nakita ko, I don’t know kung updated na bumaba raw ang crime rate by 5,500. Siguro by now mas mababa pa… 5,500 ang laki, ang daming nawalang krimen na supposedly siguro nangyari na compared to… ‘yun na nga ‘no, compared to last year po ‘yun, ang laki ng binaba.

So that to us is a good assurance na ‘yung ipinangko ni President Duterte, ’yung agenda zero, peace and order, security at no to illegal drugs, no to corruption, ang laki ho ng benefits sa… the way we look at it from the business sector.

And this is what the investors are also… I mean, considering right now. To them this is a much improved and a stronger Philippine Republic, and peaceful pa.

Ms. Ranada: Just a follow-up, sir. You said: I’m sure the businessmen feel much safer. Is this something you’ve asked them in a conference and how do you know that?

SEC. LOPEZ: Hindi po, kasi DTI receives a lot of business delegation, mga of course foreign embassies, mga bisita po from other countries. Japanese, UK, EU–

Ms. Ranada: They all agreed that they feel much safer?

SEC. LOPEZ: Just even… even siguro ‘yung kanina may question on mga EU ‘no. In fact, just before this meeting here, ang ka-meeting ko rin ho ‘yung EU ambassador. At in fact, hindi ho namin napapagusapan kung ano man ‘yug mga recent issue, kasi iba ho talaga economic to them.

In fact, we have an EU GSP or EU GSP plus at we are talking of a free trade agreement also with EU, tuloy-tuloy po ‘yung discussions natin doon. In fact gusto nga namin matapos na. May mga rounds of discussion, tuloy po ‘yun. I think December. There’ll be another round, and hopefully we can finalize an FTA with the EU.

Beyond December, kasi merong… may third round ‘yung December. At bago ‘yun, siguro next year, meron tayong ma-finalize na na FTA. To us, it’s siguro much better pa kung mas maaga. To us, that will mean more access of Philippine products to the EU market.

Mr. Tinaza: Sir, just the press on the S&P outlook. Sir, so how do we reconcile when, in what you are saying, by the strength of the business sector, they are, I mean approved… in approval of the Duterte policies. But how do we reconcile with that of the S&P saying that there are weaknesses on the Duterte’s policy?

SEC. LOPEZ: Sorry, weaknesses?

Mr. Tinaza: Yes.

SEC. LOPEZ: Hindi ko talaga maintindihan lang ‘yung kung saan ‘yung weaknesses, sana ini-specify nila. On the economy, on the economy po all the fundamentals still okay. In fact, manufacturing grows 8.1 percent much faster than the 4 percent in the past, itong 8.1 percent much faster than the 4.1 percent ‘nong mga past five years.

Foreign direct investment, mismo ay over 100 percent growth. ‘Yung BOI-registered investment 93 percent growth, just on, I’m talking of the July alone, ‘no and the first half as well. Halos doble ang investment figure and ano pa, ‘yun nga ‘yung growth rate na 7 percent ‘no.

So maganda ho ‘yung fundamentals. Foreign exchange reserves close to 80 billion dollars, a relatively stable foreign exchange, inflation at 1.9 percent, everything seems to be working well sa larangan ng mga economic fundamentals, sa larangan ng negosyo.

And now more than ever, ‘yung, in fact ‘yung nakwento kong negosyo centers na that we have opened up. So ngayon 300 plus na. Over 330,000 na po ang mga natutulungan ng mga negosyo centers. Nagtayo na rin kami ng OFW Desk dahil bilin sa atin ni President, lalo na ‘yung mga umuwing Saudi OFWs mabigyan ng kaalaman, ng opportunity malaman paano magnegosyo, magtayo ng negosyo. So lahat ‘nong 300 plus negosyo centers, may OFW desk na doon.

Mr. Tinaza: Sir, you can say categorically, that none of the chambers of businessmen in the country ever raised the EJK as an area of concern in doing business?

SEC. LOPEZ: ‘Yung nakikita natin ‘yung nasa newspaper siguro sa media. Pero pag ka chamber of commerce ‘yung mga negosyante, we all talk about commerce, trade, ibig sabihin pagnenegosyo and tuloy lang po ‘yun.

Mr. Tinaza: Sir last point. Do we have any infrastructure projects in the pipeline to further enhance and – how do you call that?

SEC. LOPEZ: Yeah, ‘yung inencourage—

Mr. Tinaza: Encourage investment in the country considering we are lacking much–?

SEC. LOPEZ: ‘Yun ho actually more on the DPWH and DOTC, on the investment infrastructure. So we talked about port development, they’re talking about airports, roads, farm-to-market roads. So ‘yun po tina-tackle ‘nong mga agencies na ‘yun and as you know we have a higher or bigger fiscal space that will allow us, say a 5 percent to GDP infrastructure budget. So mas malaking infrastructure. So ‘yun po inaabangan na natin ma-implement and those will help attract more investments.

Mr. Tinaza: Thank you sir.

Alexis Romero (Phillipine Star): Secretary, balikan ko lang ‘yung S&P. So, you do not agree with the statement of the S&P that the predictability of policy making under the new administration has diminished?

SEC. LOPEZ: Oo, dahil you know… Sorry po, Mr. Ace. Ang tingin ko kasi policy making has not changed. Nabanggit ni Secretary Martin kanina ‘yung policy to honor all contracts, agreements, policy to protect investments. They are here. I mean may mga tinatawag natin investment protection that will give peace of mind sa mga investors. ‘Yung ating mga FDA agreements, trade agreements. They are all being honored. ‘Yung itong mga commitment natin sa ASEAN, WTO, APEC. Lahat po ‘yun. They are… they stay. And in fact, we are even strengthening it.

So when you talk of trade and industry policies, tuloy-tuloy po ‘yun. And you are familiar with the 10-point socioeconomic agenda, lahat po ‘yun ay priority. We are all working towards the fulfillment ‘nong agenda na ’yun ‘no.

In our case, ‘yung nakuwento natin, streamlining, tuloy-tuloy na. ‘Yung business permit sa licensing, ewan ko po kung nabalitaan ninyo na nakipag… nagpirmahan po tayo sa DILG dahil they will take care of the LGUs to encourage LGUs, at tsaka DICT for the automation.

‘Yung business permits and licenses process, from eight to 1o days average ngayon ay ibaba natin sa two days — two days meron ka ng business permits. Because in other cities and municipalities, kaya kahit 30 minutes, so ‘yun po ‘yung benchmark e. So it’s just a matter of replicating what’s being done doon sa mas advanced na mga city when it comes to business permits and licensing at i-replicate sa lahat ng cities and municipalities.

Kaya po merong joint memorandum circular that we signed with DILG to help us really implement a shortened, streamlined business permits and licensing procedure.

In fact, when the President heard that, sabi niya palakasin pa natin. If you want, we can issue an EO. Talagang gustong bigyan pa ng tulak ni President ‘yung pagpapaikli, pag-streamline ng pagkuha ng business permits.

So ito rin, medyo siguro ‘yung iba nagko-comment ‘no, parang… siguro si President, hindi lang po siguro alam ng marami, pagdating sa economic, pag-push ng mga economic reforms, nandiyan po siya, nasa likod po namin. Ine-ensure niya ‘yung streamlining, ‘yung pagtulong sa MSME, lahat ‘yan ay may tulak mula sa Presidente.

Mr. Uri: Secretary, in terms of foreign investment, may napadagdag ba? Kung meron man gaano kalaki?

SEC. LOPEZ: ‘Yung sinasabi ko po ay nagdoble nga siya mula January to July. Hindi ko lang makuha pa ngayon ‘yung July mismo. Pero, you know, marami din po doon pumasok ‘nong July.

Pwede ko kayong balikan doon sa number mismo nong July ‘no. But January to July ay double ang ating ano… more than double ang FDI that came in, pati ‘yung nag-register sa BOI.

So ibig sabihin, ito pong confidence sa… confidence sa new administration ay nandon. In fact, we expect more applications. As mentioned kanina, marami ho tayong kinakausap mga investors. Some are indicating to come in and to confirm their investment, ito pong second half. Recently, nabasa niyo rin sa diaryo may Polish investment, first time in the Philippines investment from Poland.

You know, ‘yung investments po talaga dumarating din po ‘yan because number one, ‘yung the way they see ‘yung consumption spending, the economy, that at the rate we’re growing, the demographic dividend na sinasabi, ibig sabihin young population, employed, may pambili, a bigger and much bigger and growing consumer market na lumalaki.

Sa Pilipinas mismo, 109 million, and yet pag dito pa sila nag-produce, they can avail of the ASEAN bigger market of 620 million. That’s the extra incentives to them. When they produce in the Philippines, hindi lang Filipino ang kanilang market, pwede rin pong ASEAN dahil zero tariff sila pag pumasok doon. At zero tariff din pag pumasok doon sa mga ibang ASEAN Plus One partner natin, ‘yung nabanggit ko kaninang mga bansa.

Mr. Uri: Any subsidy or loan assistance sa mga gustong magsimula ng maliit na negosyo?

SEC. LOPEZ: Oo. Siguro hindi po natin tawaging subsidy, minsan may negative ano ‘yan impression. Pero tulong na sinasabi, kunwari access to capital, we have over 200 microfinance institutions. Kahit saan po silang probinsiya, municipality, meron pong access to finance.

‘Yung tulong na free mentoring, free seminars na ginagawa ng DTI at ‘yung mga ka-partner namin, PCCI, Go Negosyo, lahat po ‘yun ginagawa. In fact, ngayon meron kaming kapatid program nga, public-private partnership na ka-partner ng Go Negosyo, PCCI, ECOP, Federation of Filipino Chinese, Association of Filipino Franchisers, et cetera ‘no. Pati Philippine Franchise Association. Lahat ho ‘yun, private sector tumutulong sa gobyerno para mag-mentor sa mga MSME.

So maganda ho ang ano, maganda ho ang pagtutulungan ngayon, government, private. At ang tumutulong ‘yung may experience sa negosyo. So to add on to what government is doing. Free seminars, free mentorship, access to finance, access also to the market, ‘yung kinuwento po natin kanina.

Ngayon po meron ding government procurement, na ibig sabihin, kunwari ang DPWH nangangailangan ng mga geonets, ‘yung mga coco coir, kukunin or bibilhin nila mula doon sa mga social enterprise na tinulungan ng DTI. Binigyan ng, ‘yung SSF projects, ‘yung gumagawa ng geonets for some communities, ‘yung produce nila, binibili na ng Department of Public Works and Highways para pang… ‘yung mga riprapping function, ‘yung imbes na semento, coco coir ang ilalagay. That’s a big market, helping also mga micro SMEs natin.

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