A special report by The Economist Intelligence Unit, part of The Economist magazine, says economic management under the administration of incoming president Rodrigo Duterte is not likely — at least in the short term.
The report notes that while Mr Duterte has a successful track record in reducing corruption, crime and drug abuse as mayor of Davo City, his methods have been dubious, posing serious doubts about his human rights record. “The EIU believe that fears for the future of the Philippines political environment under Duterte are valid,” it said.
The EIU expects the country’s economy to continue to expand by at least 5% per year between 2016 and 2020.
“In this, Mr Duterte will be open to foreign investment and may adopt measures to boost competition in the domestic economy. Amid uncertainty over a Duterte administration’s economic policy it is, however, likely that foreign investors will postpone their decision to enter the Philippines by at least six to 12 months,” it said.
The full report about what a Rodrigo Duterte presidency will mean for the Philippines can be downloaded here.
