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In all these activities, we have not neglected the domestic front, particularly our members. We regularly provide them with pertinent economic data through our monthly publication of the MBC Economic Papers and through our monthly membership meetings our members are able to hear and discuss with governmentofficials important policy issues which impact on business. Our extensive economic database is available to all our members. We regularly report on congressional bills of interest to our members and secure copies requested by them as part of our service.

We continue to speak out on domestic issues, the latest being our stand against any amendment to the Constitution at this time. While we do not endorse anyone for public office, as I was compelled to repeat again and again a few weeks ago, we do invite every major presidential candidate to address us. Some of you may not know that the televised Presidential Debates in 1992 were sponsored by MBC thanks to the generosity of some of our members who contributed to a Democracy Trust Fund.

I did not realize, until Bill Luz informed me, that MBC to date has had only threeChairmen - Don Enrique Zobel, Vicente Paterno and myself. I have, therefore, had the rare privilege and honor of heading this distinguished organization for a decade. I hasten to add that the success MBC has achieved is due in large measure to my fellow trustees, past and present, the support of our members, and especially to Bill Luz, Marc Opulencia and the other members of the MBC secretariat without whose hard work, dedication and commitment, MBC would not be what it is today - a respected voice of Philippine business here and abroad.

The past ten years have wrought many changes, good and bad, in our daily lives. Undoubtedly, the future will bring even more changes. But, whatever uncertainties we may face in the future, MBC will always strive together with our leaders and fellow citizens to bring about a nation noted for its political maturity, economic growth and sustainable human development.
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Speech delivered on the occasion of MBC's 15th anniversary dinner in honor of Enrique Zobel, January 29, 1997, Manila, Peninsula Manila Hotel.

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