Upon COVID-19: Time to tax the super-rich

May 25, 2020

FEATURES

The Philippines has never had a wealth tax. For as long as there has been a tax system in the country, taxes have been collected from what people pay for what they consume or from what they earn.

Why make the poor pay for COVID-19 response?

May 24, 2020

COMMENTARY

There’s more than enough money for all the COVID-19 response we need – the Duterte administration just has to take the side of the people and stop being so scared of the rich.

Financial strength, development weakness

May 14, 2020

COMMENTARY

In this kind of situation, you don’t obsess about fuel-efficient driving or not red-lining the tachometer or limiting the car’s mileage – you step on the gas. Glorifying ‘financial strength’ is stepping on the brakes.

There’s funding to respond to COVID-19 – the problem is at the top

April 9, 2020

POLICY NOTE

The government can find the funding for COVID-19 response measures needed – on a scale many times over its Php275 billion program – if it genuinely wants to.

Dealing with COVID-19: Just reboot the economy?

March 30, 2020

POLICY NOTE

The coronavirus pandemic and the expansive efforts to address it are new and unprecedented. But they also exposed many old problems that have always been there.

Duterte administration’s bumbling, stumbling COVID-19 response

March 21, 2020

BY SONNY AFRICA

The poorest already have it worst – and we’re not even sure if the virus is really on its way to being contained.

“Just follow” won’t beat COVID-19

March 16, 2020

COMMENTARY
BY SONNY AFRICA

The coronavirus threat is real and it’s critical for the government to respond quickly and decisively. But what if government’s response is muddled and, worse, ill-conceived?

Water You Up To, Mr. President?

December 13, 2019

BY SONNY AFRICA

Pres. Rodrigo Duterte is posturing against oligarchs again. This time, the tough talk is against corporate water giants Manila Water and Maynilad.

Attacks on Civil Society, M&E, and Democracy

November 25, 2019

In governance today and in our M&E ecosystems, our biggest challenge is increasing official hostility to diversity.