The Philippines Digging for Treasure

(4 of 4)

Perhaps the most pressing issue facing Aquino is her country's economic troubles. This week an International Monetary Fund team arrives in Manila to determine whether the Philippines should receive the next scheduled installment of standby credits. In Washington, both the Reagan Administration and Congress have expressed eagerness to increase Philippine aid. "We want this experiment to be a success," said Republican Senator Richard Lugar, co- chairman of the U.S. observer team that monitored the Philippine presidential elections. "We're going to have to do more." The new Philippine President will clearly need that help.