Duterte to create department for easing business

AMMAN – President Duterte yesterday vowed to create a new department that would process the documents of investors to make it easier for them to do business in the Philippines. 

Duterte said his administration has been working to improve the ease of doing business in the Philippines, noting that the country needs investors’ money to fund basic services and provide the needs of its booming population. 

“I give you this solemn commitment that if you are there, it will be business with ease. And as a matter fact, you do not have to travel from one place to another to get a permit or clearance or whatever, I will create a department just to receive your application,” the President said during the Philippines-Jordan Business Forum here. 

“We will do the processing. We will give you a list, a shopping list of what to produce. If everything is in order, there is no need for you to follow it up. We will advise you that your papers have been approved and that you can start your business,” he added. 

Duterte, who is in a historic three-day official visit here, assured investors that he would not tolerate any form of corruption in government. 

“I will guarantee you the return of profit. There will be no corruption. If you ask anything  even a toothpick, I will guarantee you, you can have an audience anytime of the day or night,” he said. 

Duterte also told investors to slap twice government personnel who would ask anything from them. He said in jest that investors should just walk away if he shoots the corrupt personnel in front of them. 

“If they start to talk about bribery, slap them twice, for your country..and for my country,” he said. 

Duterte noted that Congress has passed a law on the ease of doing business in the country. He also promised to cut “repetitious” processes that turn off investors. 

“Business wants to thrive unmolested, undisturbed. The least interference the gov’t does in business, the better for all,” the President said.

Attack helicopters 

Meanwhile, Jordan yesterday agreed to provide two Cobra attack helicopters to the Philippines in a development seen to strengthen Manila’s defense capabilites.

Presidential aide Christopher Go said the matter was discussed during the bilateral meeting of President Duterte and Jordan King Abdullah II here.

The two helicopters are expected to be delivered in July next year after the training of Filipino pilots, he added.

“Other items will also be included like mortars, rifles and rocket-propelled grenades,” Go said in a text message.

Duterte had previously said he was asked to refrain from lambasting a cousin of the king who has been critical of the Philippines’ war on drugs.

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein had said Duterte needs to see a psychiatrist after the Philippine leader scored critics of his war on narcotics. 

The President retaliated by calling Zeid “empty-headed.” 

National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. had asked Duterte to stop attacking Zeid because the Jordanian king was willing to give helicopters to the Philippines.