Duterte gets mixed reviews from business leaders after speech

Warren de Guzman, ABS-CBN News

Davao City Rodrigo Duterte drew mixed reviews from business leaders who listened on Wednesday to his profanity-laced speech on his plans for the country in case he is elected president on May 9.

Duterte's speech ran for nearly 90 minutes and he was not able to take questions from the audience due to time constraints.

READ: 'Relax,' Duterte tells businessmen as he pitches anti-crime war

"He didn't speak enough about the issues we wanted to thresh out. We can't argue with his priorities of education, health and agriculture," Makati Business Club Chairman Ramon del Rosario said.

"This was the first time for me to hear him speak. He seems okay. But I can't say much else," Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. Chairman Manuel Pangilinan said.

"He didn't speak much about economics, but if he stood there speaking about credit ratings and what not it would be out of character. In terms of reducing projects I think what he really meant was he wants to prioritize education.," Veterans Bank chairman and former finance secretary Roberto de Ocampo said.

"Prioritizing education is good but reducing money for infrastructure isn't the way to go about it... There is an absolute need for banks and government to provide more financing options to SMEs and working class citizens," Peter Walllace of the Wallace Foundation said.

"We learned a lot about his anti corruption plan. But he didn't mention taxation," Management Association of the Philippines member Anton Aguilar said.