ANNUAL GATHERING. President Aquino speaks about the Philippines' anti-corruption efforts at a World Economic Forum side event in Davos, Switzerland. Photo by AFP

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine government's efforts to weed out corruption got "very good" reception from global leaders and top financial executives who attended a side event at the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, a Palace official said.

Aquino's 10-minute speech during the WEF's activity on "Partnering Against Corruption Initiative" on Thursday evening, January 24 (Swiss time) also served as an inspiration to the CEOs, CFOs and other world leaders in the audience, shared Presidential Communication Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ramon Carandang during a briefing for Filipino reporters.

"The reception, I think, was very good. There were a lot of private sector people there -- corporations from different fields. There were some BPO (business process outsourcing) companies. There were some services companies and all of them spent a lot of time chatting with President Aquino, having the pictures taken with him," Carandang said.

"I think people understand that the Philippines is really taking serious steps to reform its economy, and I think they are very appreciative of that," he added.

Aquino highlighted "some of the actions that we took to fight high-level, high profile corruption…such as the impeachment process... just to give examples of some of the things that we're doing to reform not just the fiscal picture but also the political landscape as well."

Aquino was the forum's first speaker and was followed by the leaders of Mongolia, India and Peru.

"I think this is good because when the CEOs hear from the leaders and not just President Aquino but the President of Mongolia - when they hear straight from the leaders about what they're doing to fight corruption, I think it helps instill confidence in them because everyone of those people was a potential investor in our country," Carandang noted.

Among those present in the audience Filipino delegates, including brothers Jaime Augusto and Fernando Zobel de Ayala. - Rappler.com

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