Cebu businesses unaffected by political noise

CEBU CITY — It’s business as usual in Cebu as businesses seem to be largely unaffected by the latest political noise in the capital region. The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), the biggest business group in Cebu, supports efforts to find the truth, but is undecided on whether to join the prayer rallies and other protest actions against the Arroyo administration. "That we still have to agree on," outgoing chamber president Francis O. Monera told reporters. The chamber, which has over 800 individual and corporate members, is the biggest business group in Cebu. Mr. Monera said Cebu’s economy is largely unaffected since its growth drivers are global in nature. He was referring to business process outsourcing, tourism and exports. But he admitted that the developments related to the ZTE scandal have created "unnecessary uncertainties." "They (businesses) are not immune to the political instability but they’re moving ahead despite this. Cebu has always moved ahead inspite of what’s happening in Manila," he said. At the chamber’s general membership meeting yesterday, Mr. Monera reiterated the chamber’s advocacy for good governance, both in government and in the private sector. "It’s good for business to practice good governance and this should be characterized by honesty, transparency and accountability. The chamber fully supports all efforts in search for truth... Corruption is eroding the very fiber that binds us — our moral values," he told members of the chamber. He declined to categorically say, however, whether the chamber supports whistleblower Rodolfo Noel "Jun" I. Lozada, Jr. in deference to the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), whose leaders have expressed support for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. A Church-led organization here, meanwhile, has initiated a signature campaign to assert the people’s right to know the truth. The Dilaab Foundation, Inc. launched the signature campaign on Feb. 18. Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal has issued a circular urging all parish priests to encourage people to sign up. — Marites S. Villamor, BusinessWorld