Sonny Africa
Sonny Africa is the executive director of IBON Foundation.
BBM’s US trip: It’s all about US
May 9, 2023
The current Marcos Jr administration will have US support despite its deeply corrupt, dynastic and rights-violating character. Or at least as long as the US keeps getting what it wants, and the Philippines doesn’t ask for anything that the US doesn’t want to give — like real freedom and development, or sovereignty and independence.
The right size for development?
March 9, 2023
The Marcos Jr administration’s rightsizing program goes in the direction of further weakening the government just when it is so needed to become bigger and better to transform the economy to serve the public interest.
“Wage hikes are harmful”: Kung ayaw maraming dahilan
March 6, 2023
It’s perplexing for the economic team to speak about workers and their wages as if they are a burden to the economy. It’s people who most of all create value in the economy and for whom the economy is for.
One Philippines, two worlds
March 1, 2023
The Marcos Jr administration is spinning a dark lie to give the impression that the situation of ordinary Filipinos is improving. The real and whole truth is that it isn’t and, if anything, has even gotten worse in the first few months of the new government.
Why are Filipinos so poor if the labor market is so vibrant?
February 11, 2023
The economic managers chronically downplay problems and prefer unfounded sunshine and smugness about the state of the economy. This hinders taking steps towards real solutions.
Bongbong will be tested on the economy in 2023
January 21, 2023
The binding constraint to steadier progress and development is the outdated faith in market forces. The blindness to the state’s responsibility to intervene will mean worse times in 2023. It will also reopen lockdown wounds that were hidden by last year’s rebound but haven’t really healed yet.
Will World Economic Forum folks believe Bongbong?
January 16, 2023
The administration’s trip is a self-serving junket at the people’s expense. If Marcos Jr speaks about so-called economic gains, he will be speaking untruths.
Maharlika Fund: Dubious, pretentious and self-serving
December 2, 2022
Something’s wrong. We asked for a wealth tax which would have been paid by a few and could have helped the many. Instead, we’re getting a wealth fund which is paid for by the many and will enrich a few.
Marcos Jr’s first 100 days: The truth is out
October 8, 2022
The first 100 days are arguably the most crucial moment to make a break from the past – not just from the past administration but from poverty, inequality and underdevelopment. The Marcos Jr administration failed to do anything with this moment and, if anything, confirmed that it is unable to even imagine any real fundamental change.
