Press Release
February 3, 2008

Jinggoy advises GMA: Focus also on political development

Not totally impressed by the new record 7.3% growth rate, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada yesterday urged President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to attend on the political development of the country as well.

Estrada says that while it is a welcome development to see figures and statistics pointing to economic progress, Mrs. Arroyo should reserve some energy to answer negative allegations and controversies hounding her administration.

"Mrs. Arroyo must balance target developments in economy and politics in order to sustain whatever growth she is pronouncing. While accusations of widespread corruption, human rights violations and rewards-based bureaucracy remain, political unrests continue delaying any good start she may have accomplished," Estrada suggests.

Estrada further says that what matters most is that the statistics do not just embellish record books but is actually felt by the masses - food at their tables, decent and stable jobs and access to quality health care and education.

"Do not turn a blind eye on ZTE controversy, persistent extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, among others if she wants to be tagged as a good leader."

Estrada also cited a statement by international financial group BNP Paribas chief economist Dr. Andrew Freris saying that the country needs to grow at least 14% in order to stop labor exodus.

Estrada, concurrent Chair of the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development and Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on Labor and Employment, noted that though the country needs dollar remittances, government must also resolve issues of potential loss of skilled workers to local economy, migrant workers' welfare and social costs of broken families.

"I believe that true development should mean that its people need not go out of their country and leave their families behind to realize their dream of a good life," Estrada asserted.

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