After establishing the credibility of its fight against tax evasion with the success of its case against Mighty Corp., the Duterte administration is considering offering a “one-time, big-time” tax amnesty program next year, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said.

Diokno told participants of the 55th Philippine Economic Society Annual Meeting and Conference that he believed this was the best time to have an amnesty program.

To be able to implement a tax amnesty program, one must have the credibility and capability to run after tax evaders, Diokno later told reporters.

The national government remains open to accepting unsolicited proposals from private-sector entities, provided they could begin project implementation in less than two years.

In the 55th Annual Meeting and Conference of the Philippine Economic Society (PES), the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) assured that the private sector have a place in the government’s huge infrastructure initiatives.

Judicial independence and the rule of law are necessary for the nation to attain economic growth, Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno said Wednesday.

"To support the Judiciary's call for the rule of law is to support not only our democracy, but also to engender an environment conducive to economic growth," Sereno said in her keynote speech at the 55th Philippine Economic Society (PES) annual meeting.

MANILA- Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno on Wednesday called on government officials to support, not weaken, institutions to promote democracy and economic growth.

“When it comes to building institutions, all government leaders must ensure that they support, not weaken institutions. Institutions build a nation, strong institutions enable nations to prosper,” Sereno said in her keynote address during the 55th Philippine Economic Society Annual Meeting and Conference held at the Novotel Hotel in Quezon City.

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno on Wednesday underscored the importance of "well-chosen words" in order to enhance communication lines.

In her keynote address during the 55th annual meeting of the Philippine Economic Society (PES), Sereno pressed on the "economy of words" amid the proliferation of alternative facts.

"Nowadays we have a circus of words, of tweets, of Facebook posts, of opinions. While we value the freedom of expression, it's also important to remember the value of well-chosen words,"

Sereno said.

Former PES presidents and members of the Council of Advisers, together with the current Board of Trustees, gathered last August 11 at the NEDA Executive Lounge to catch up, tell stories, and share experiences as part of the activities leading up to the 55th PES Annual Meeting and Conference in November.

Among those who attended were Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia, Philippine Competition Commission Chair Arsenio M. Balisacan, former NEDA Director-Generals Gerardo P. Sicat, and Cielito F. Habito, former Prime Minister Cesar E.A. Virata,among others.

Introduction

Since its inception in 1967, ASEAN had encountered many challenges, from dealing with political diversity such as the admission of Vietnam, dissensions such as over the admission of Cambodia, to economic crises of the magnitude of the Asian Financial Crisis of 1997 – 1999. ASEAN has overcome these challenges without sacrificing its core principles.

The Philippine Economic Society (PES) Board of Trustees elected its new set of officers for the term 2017-2018 last February 2. The Board elected the following:

• President: Dr. Jose Camacho Jr., University of the Philippines-Los Baños
• Vice President: Dr. Majah-Leah Ravago, University of the Philippines School of Economics
• Secretary: Dr. Ronald Mendoza, Ateneo School of Government
• Treasurer: Mr. Emilio Neri Jr., Bank of the Philippine Islands

Also comprising the PES Board are: