IBON Foundation

PH among worst performers in Southeast Asia

June 13, 2022

The government hypes the Duterte legacy but comparing growth, jobs, inflation, trade and debt figures with other Southeast Asian countries shows the Philippine economy as among the poorest performers. This is due not only to its poor COVID response, harsh lockdowns and refusal of economic stimulus but to pre-pandemic mispriorities.

1.3M jobs lost: Fall in number of employed bursts full recovery hype bubble

June 11, 2022

The incoming finance secretary claims that the economy is on its way to full recovery, but the over one million drop in employed persons in April 2022 proves otherwise.

Real wages fall as inflation spikes

June 9, 2022

Higher May inflation pushed the real value of wages to even lower levels and is making basic food and transport services even more unaffordable. Inflation far outpaces the outgoing Duterte administration’s wage hikes and wage earners are worse off now than six years ago.

Malampaya and oligarch control

June 9, 2022

Malampaya had great potential as a stable local source of oil and energy. But the Philippine government has no hand in expanding it, as it has no control over the supply and pricing of oil, which global giants and big local businesses dominate.