Echoes From
BY JOHNNY DAYANG

Finally a touchdown for P-Noy

Back in the Philippines after a weeklong visit to the United States, President Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III told the nation that his talks with American investors in the US generated $2.4 billion in new investments for the country.

P-Noy declared he was successful in sending out the message that the Philippines was open for business.

Mr. Aquino said that in terms of new jobs, they “were able to secure a commitment of at least 43,650 new jobs in the next three years, including some 4,500 in construction-related jobs, and another 200,000 jobs because of the multiplier effect.”

Among those who signified their readiness to invest in the Philippines are stable, blue-chip corporations like Coca-Cola, Pfizer, AES, Hewlett-Packard, JP Morgan Chase, General Electric and Global Corporation.

Coca-Cola added it was ready to invest another $1billion to “upgrade and replace equipment as well as create new products and processes in the country.”

Still, more than generated investments and promised jobs, the success of P-Noy’s U.S. sojourn can best be measured in the validation of support shown by Filipinos everywhere he went in the U.S.

Suffused with warmth and affection for the first truly popular President the country had since deposed President Joseph Estrada, Filipinos lined in the streets of New York to get a glimpse of P-Noy.

To the consternation of his security detail, P-Noy and his entourage shared hotdogs with welcoming Pinoys on the corner of 6^th Avenue and West 45^th Street in New York.

The President footed the bill, which reached $54, or roughly, P2,500 – a not so subtle message of how different it was going to be for his administration compared to his predecessor, former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

All indications point to the fact that P-Noy has finally scored a touchdown in Presidential leadership.

The US sojourn proved to one and all that PNoy has the support and respect of the Filipino people and the world’s leaders.

To his critics, the President has this to say: “I am here to assure you that the Philippines is committed to good housekeeping practices in its domestic and international dealings with investors. We are committed not just a fair, but a square, deal for all.”

Truly, well said, Mr. President.