You have to wonder what some of these international financial pundits are smoking these days. Following in the footsteps of Standard and Poor’s and Fitch, we now have an organization called Capital Economics from United Kingdom lauding the “strong fundamentals” [what a pompous-sounding phrase] of the Philippines; “business climate improving,” a new anti-corruption and “reform minded” government, and a “developing manufacturing sector.” It also opined that a change of leadership in 2016 would be a “setback for the nation.” I have to guess that none of the people who pronounce on these wondrous economic developments have actually been here for long enough to understand how things really are. Also noticeable that no mention seems to have been made of jobs or unemployment.