Budget cuts will worsen shelter problem–IBON

August 17, 2017

Research group IBON said that the decreased 2018 housing budget will worsen the housing problem in the country. Amid a persistent housing backlog and disproportionate and rapid growth of urban population, the Duterte administration’s proposed housing budget cuts could affect millions of Filipinos in need of homes. The group said that it is the government’s […]

Federalism Cha-cha weakens nationalist provisions–IBON

August 16, 2017

Research group IBON criticized the weakening of nationalist provisions of the 1987 Philippine Constitution in the proposed federalism charter of pro-administration solons. The group said that the insertion of the phrase “unless otherwise provided by law” in portions restricting foreign participation in essential sectors threatens prospects for the Philippine economy to develop independently. Introduced by […]

Arbitration ruling favors corporate greed over people’s rights—WPN

August 14, 2017

Advocacy group Water for the People Network (WPN) said that the decision by the International Arbitration Court (IAC) requiring the Philippine government to pay Php3.4 billion to Maynilad Water Services, Inc. reflects the corporate bias of international mechanisms for resolving disputes between governments and private corporations. The Philippine government should learn from the public’s negative experience under […]

Duterte’s RCEP push at ASEAN, implications on PH economy & development (Part 2)

August 13, 2017

By Arnold Padilla Part 2 –  The more far-reaching implication of the RCEP is on the country’s sovereignty in regulating foreign investments and in designing and implementing development plans that would serve the national interest and public welfare. FTAs like the RCEP want to further erode the mandate of governments and other state institutions. This is […]

Duterte’s RCEP push at ASEAN, implications on PH economy and development

August 10, 2017

By Arnold Padilla Part 1-At the 50th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), President Rodrigo Duterte endorsed the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) deal. RCEP is being negotiated by the 10 member states of the ASEAN plus six other countries that ASEAN has a free trade agreement (FTA) with or the so-called […]

IBON AVP: Haciendas Remain

July 30, 2017

2017 SONA: Change is not always for the better

July 30, 2017

Among Pres. Rodrigo Duterte’s idiosyncrasies is preferring a vulgar stream-of-consciousness approach in his speeches. This is even for the annual state of the nation address (SONA) at the opening of Congress which is undoubtedly the government’s highest-profile policy speech of the year. The president’s choice is a matter of style but then this also means […]

Building destruction? Foreign creditors gain more from Duterte’s infra plan

July 21, 2017

by Arnold Padilla #PeoplesSONA2017 / IBON Features — One of the anticipated highlights of President Rodrigo Duterte’s second State of the Nation Address (SONA) is his grand infrastructure plan dubbed Build! Build! Build!. There are concerns that it would result in a heavy debt burden. The issue is valid. After all, the price tag of […]

On peace talks interruption:  Negotiated econ reforms risk being lost–IBON

July 21, 2017

#PeoplesSONA2017 / Research group IBON said that the interruption of peace talks between the government and the NDFP also interrupts important discussions on economic reforms. The group said this in the aftermath of the announcement of Jesus Dureza, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, that the back-channel talks with the National Democratic Front of the […]