NEWSFLASH

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ERAP LEAVES BUSINESS LEADERS IMPRESSED, OPTIMISTIC

Makati City, May 21,1998 - The Titans of business and industry were whistling a different tune after a breakfast dialogue with presidential frontrunner Joseph Estrada.

Leaders of the country's most influential business groups, many of them meeting Estrada for the first time, emerged impressed, optimistic and hopeful. They were generally satisfied with Estrada's 10-point agenda which was topped by a promise to abolish congressional pork barrel.

Estrada, quoting Ramos' Budget Secretary Enriquez, he said 45% of pork barrel funds were lost to graft. Since he is serving only one term, he said, he has no need to play politics with members of Congress.

The vowed to go after grafters, to restore confidence in government.

He also promised to make life easier for businessmen, saying their prosperity would help the poor.

"In order to succeed, you must enjoy the least amount of regulation and the greatest number of opportunities. You must be able to rely on consistent commitments and policies from your government," Estrada told the businessmen at the New World Hotel in Makati City.

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