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The global financial markets this early are showing signs of volatility. The budget impasse in the US, Wall Street’s recent deep plunge and the unresolved trade war between the US and China are again rattling the nerves of investors. The same gyrations in the global financial markets are happening again this year, but I see the Philippines surviving this instability as it did in 2018.

Happy new year to everyone! To all hardworking Filipinos here and abroad, I wish you a better quality of life, more time to spend with loved ones, better work so you can provide for your family, and more importantly, good health and happiness so you can enjoy all these in the company of the people you hold dear. Mas galingan natin sa bagong taon! Mas masigasig nating harapin ang buhay! At mas mahalin natin ang Diyos, bayan, at pamilya! Masaganang Bagong Taon po!

I believe we did quite well as a nation in 2018, despite a more challenging global economic environment. This is evident in the 6.3-percent GDP expansion in the first three quarters.