Philippines Briefing: A Discussion with Ambassador Willy C. Gaa
With His Excellency Willy C. Gaa, Philippine Ambassador to the United States
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Overview
On October 4, the Asia Program hosted a luncheon discussion with Willy C. Gaa, Manila's ambassador to the United States. Ambassador Gaa highlighted the Philippines' economic growth: gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 7.5 percent during the second quarter of 2007, and the outlook for continued growth is positive. He attributed the economic surge in part to the remittances flowing into the country, but also to tourism, consumer spending, and the "billion dollar investments" being made in the Philippines.
Ambassador Gaa, describing the Philippines as "Asia's oldest democracy," conceded that "like many democracies," the archipelago faces challenges. He cited corruption, high numbers of extrajudicial killings, and the "problem in the south," where the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF, based on the southern island of Mindanao) has waged a violent campaign for a separate Islamic state. Nonetheless, the ambassador argued, the country is addressing each of these challenges. First, the Philippines "is committed to ruling justly and [to] promoting economic freedom," and he noted that the conviction last month of former president Joseph Estrada on plundering charges is regarded by investors as a good sign for anticorruption efforts. Second, both the Philippines Commission on Human Rights and the Melo Commission (the latter was established by Philippine president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo last year) have investigated the killings. And third, he pointed to the ongoing negotiations between the government and the MILF.
Ultimately, Ambassador Gaa concluded, the Philippine government is determined not only to sustain economic momentum, but also "[to] bring the benefits of economic growth to the people." He referenced President Arroyo's goal of attaining "eight blessings"—which include job creation, a stable cost of living, and "pro-poor" education—by 2008.
Drafted by Michael Kugelman, Asia Program Associate
Robert M. Hathaway, Director, Asia Program, Ph: (202) 691-4020
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Indo-Pacific Program
The Indo-Pacific Program promotes policy debate and intellectual discussions on US interests in the Asia-Pacific as well as political, economic, security, and social issues relating to the world’s most populous and economically dynamic region. Read more
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