AN analyst expects President Rodrigo Duterte to talk more on economic reforms during his second State of the Nation Address later on Monday. “We want to hear the President talk more on the economy, touching on the tax reform bill, the infrastructure push and other areas of legislation the Palace requires to push its agenda,” Philstocks.ph senior research analyst Justino Calaycay Jr. said. “He will also submit the 2018 spending plan and we will likely hear the salient points,” he added, referring to the proposed P3.8-trillion 2018 National Budget to be submitted to Congress this morning. Calaycay echoed Ramon Casiple, executive director of the Institute for Political and Electoral Reform, and Antonio “Butch” Valdes of the Save the Nation Movement. Valdes said the President should discuss salient parts of his economic programs, particularly on energy and how he was planning to bring down the cost of electricity in the country.

Source: Manila Times July 24, 2017 00:56 UTC