11.   Officials fear the kidnappings will undermine government efforts to improve the image of the Philippines as it seeks more foreign investment to bolster a budding economic recovery.

12.   But the prime minister argued that the country needed political stability to boost budding economic recovery.

13.   But participants said they hoped the budding recovery would be strong enough by next year for the uptrend to level out and reverse.

14.   The large allocation for public works expenditure was aimed at allaying concern that delay in passing the budget bills could hamper the budding economic recovery, government officials said.