The domestic political situation is now calming down, although the government has yet to resolve the Abu Sayyaf hostage crisis in the south. The trial of the former president, Joseph Estrada, could also raise tensions. Policymaking should become easier, now that the government enjoys a small majority in the new Senate, although this may be eroded over time. One policy priority is to contain the fiscal deficit in view of the forecast slowdown in economic …showed first 75 words of 250 total…

…showed last 75 words of 250 total…held down by spending restraint. The deficit stood at P36.7bn (US$720m) in January-April, compared with a target of P38.3bn. But the government envisages only a small contraction in the budget deficit in 2002. A deteriorating economic situation in some of the Philippines' regional trading partners has led the EIU to edge down its GDP growth forecast for 2001, to 2.2%. The exchange rate is now forecast to average P51.0:US$1 in 2001 and P52.3:US$1 in 2002.