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No matter who is President, whether he or she is a democracy icon or a dictator, the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines Inc. (AmCham) will be here to stay.
This was the assurance given by Robert Sears, AmCham director for external affairs, in an exclusive interview with the Philippines Graphic.
The 109-year-old association is a wily survivor of feudal Philippine politics, stamping its presence during the heydays of the American colonial period and maintaining its grip on the nation’s business and economic life long after the declaration of Philippine Independence in 1946.
AmCham outlasted the Marcos dictatorship, waded through three Edsa People Power uprisings, and tackled with dexterity the idiosyncrasies of the administrations of former Presidents Fidel V. Ramos, Joseph Estrada, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and now, President Aquino.
Initiated in 1902 and incorporated in 1920, AmCham is the oldest American chamber anywhere in the world and the first of its kind to be organized in Asia.
Since its creation, the organization has held offices in various sections of Manila—at Plaza Lawton, Sta. Cruz and Escolta, later moving to Kalaw Street in Binondo and, last, in 1984, to the Corinthian Plaza on Paseo de Roxas.
Beginning with little more than a hundred members, AmCham has steadily grown over the years, peaking at over 700 members in the late 1980s, until it plateaued to the present number of 620 members. About 90 percent of its current members are firms; the remaining 10 percent are individuals.
No links with CIA
It is not surprising, therefore, that most of the local big business players and big lobby groups have maintained close links with AmCham. These include the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (Ecop), Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Philippine Association of Multinational Regional Headquarters (Pamuri), Makati Business Club (MBC), Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (Finex), and other trade and business organizations.
AmCham officials are quick to point out, however, that they have no links with the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) despite a recent allegation by arrested WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange that many American business groups are working with the CIA.
“No, never, we have our own work,” said Sears, who laughed out loud when asked in jest about their possible CIA connections.
Which is not to say that the American business bloc does not engage in politics. In 2009 it lobbied against the bill of then-House Speaker Prospero Nograles that sought to limit the number of casual and contractual employees that foreign-owned companies can hire.
Amcham, along with PCCI, Ecop and MAP, considered the outcome of their efforts a victory. The bill failed to reach second reading. No new or old version of the bill has been refiled this year in Congress.
Mum on RH
With regard to the controversial Reproductive-health bill, AmCham chose to adopt a moderate stand and refused to comment on whether it is for or against the RH bill that Congress still has to enact into law. It has, likewise, opted not to say anything on the proposed across-the-board salary-increase bill now pending in the House.
Controversies and political scandals notwithstanding, Sears maintained the view that the Philippines is still the best place for Americans to do business in Asia.
The AmCham official admitted that most of their members make huge profits in the country. The Philippines has a big market, owing to its growth rate of 2.3 percent per year and is strategically located in Southeast Asia, he added.
Most important of all, Sears said, Filipinos are easy to get along with and are fast learners, with good command of the English language.
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Source: Business Mirror, June 19, 2011
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