President’s SONA in denial of slowing growth and fundamental econ crisis

July 29, 2019

In his fourth SONA, President Duterte did not admit that the economy is on a slowdown and that the country’s production sectors are deteriorating. Instead, the President harped on deceptive, business-biased policy proposals that at the very least do not address the basic problems of the economy.

It is offending China, not war, that Pres. Duterte is avoiding – IBON

July 27, 2019

Research group IBON said that Pres. Duterte’s stance on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) issue, as expressed in his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), is not about avoiding war with China, but is about avoiding offending the Chinese government and losing all its promised funds. Last July 22, Pres. Duterte highlighted the possibility […]

Research group: Davao businessmen may be benefiting from Duterte admin’s infra program

July 26, 2019

Amid government hype of its Build, Build, Build program, research group IBON noted that there has been a conspicuous increase in public infrastructure spending in the Davao region that seems to have favored Davao-based businessmen. The group observed that close allies of the president have benefited from the government spending surge by clinching a number […]

Duterte’s Midterm: Change for the Worse

July 22, 2019

(IBON 2019 Midyear Birdtalk Briefing Paper economic situation highlights) The country’s slowing economy, and worsening jobs crisis and poverty disputes the Duterte administration’s hype of economic gains. IBON said that this is bound to worsen if the Duterte administration continues unopposed on its current neoliberal trajectory wherein the interests of big foreign and local business […]

Prices still higher now than since start of Duterte admin

July 6, 2019

Research group IBON said that while June inflation has slowed, the prices of basic food items are still higher, especially when compared to prices at the start of the Duterte administration. The wages and incomes of many Filipinos are unable to keep up with the high prices. The group said that food prices will continue […]

Duterte administration being dishonest about economic ‘gains’

July 4, 2019

Research group IBON said that the Duterte administration is being dishonest in its recent pronouncements about high growth, reducing unemployment, and reducing poverty. The group said that the government is taking liberties with statistics as part of its propaganda campaign that President Duterte is keeping his promise of real change. In its pre-State of the […]

Chronic undernutrition among kids, pervasive hunger belie 4Ps logic – IBON

July 2, 2019

Research group IBON said that the results of the expanded national nutrition survey (ENNS) dispute the logic of institutionalizing the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) for poverty alleviation under Republic Act (RA) No. 11310. The program is said to be an  “investment in the next generation” that develops healthy educated Filipinos. Yet after over 10 […]

Govt will needed to enforce oil price unbundling – IBON

June 29, 2019

Research group IBON said that the Department of Energy (DOE) circular ordering oil companies to unbundle prices is a welcome and overdue measure for greater transparency to help prevent overpricing of oil products. However, the government must have the political will to implement this and the involvement of the public and consumer groups must be […]

Strengthen Filipino, Panitikan, and Constitution instruction in basic and tertiary education

June 24, 2019

BY JOHN PAUL ANDAQUIG

Panitikan provides students with an understanding of the literary traditions of the Filipino people. Minimizing the teaching of Filipino, Panitikan and Constitution thus robs young learners of their soul as citizens and future leaders.