Features
Searching for an Alternative to the WTO: Revisiting the Bandung Conference
December 19, 2015
The system we replace this with does not have to be as equally hegemonic but it must at least respect the diversity of our alternatives By Sonny Africa The World Trade Organization (WTO) is on its twentieth year of existence as it holds its tenth ministerial conference in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi. It has […]
The erosion of the right to health in Aquino’s ‘Daang Matuwid’
December 14, 2015
The Philippine government has treated health as a commodity, subjected it to a market-driven system, unprotected and unregulated Approaching election season, the Aquino administration brandishes the accomplishment of universal health care as a legacy that would be continued by Liberal Party candidates. Yet, what the Aquino presidency does not mention is how his administration eroded […]
The Aquino administration’s socioeconomic rights violations
December 10, 2015
In addition to its widely-known civil and political rights violations, the Aquino administration is also the biggest violator of economic, social and cultural rights in the country The Aquino administration has the duty to uphold, protect and promote the human rights of all Filipinos. This is the responsibility of every government. The administration’s civil and […]
APEC: Special lanes for whom?
November 16, 2015
Economics can be rational again and the severe imbalances in wealth and power that fetter human development and stifle economies can be dismantled by Sonny Africa IBON Features/ Commentary. It isn’t really just about the special traffic lanes or even the reorganizing of the life of the nation’s capital for a few days because of […]
Why APEC’s free market globalization cannot build resilient communities
November 7, 2015
PH must take back what globalization has eroded if it is to build a fortress that will truly keep the people safe and strong even in the face of calamities The Philippines spearheaded the crafting of a framework on disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) for this year’s Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) high-level meeting. […]
Post-SONA: Correct solutions based on correct analysis?
August 7, 2015
Malacanang has defended the SONA, however the President’s speech seemed to have been based on a questionable reading of the state of the nation. IBON Features— A lot has been said about the President’s final State of the Nation Address (SONA) including criticisms on the seeming rosy picture it depicted. Malacanang has defended the SONA, […]
PhilHealth: The myth of universal health care under Aquino
July 30, 2015
Health services in the country have deteriorated and become more costly for the public IBON Features—In his last State of the Nation Address, President Aquino recalled his 2012 announcement that through the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), families belonging to the poorest 20% of the population do not have to pay a centavo when availing […]
MRT: Enduring poor service while paying more than needed
July 30, 2015
The public can be at the losing end when public services such as the train system is thrust into the hands of the private sector and run on their profit-seeking terms IBON Features–In anticipation of President Aquino’s last State of the Nation Address, some people’s groups compared the country’s situation to the Metro Rail Transit […]
Aquino’s PPP legacy
July 24, 2015
Pres. Aquino has paved the way for more and bigger privatization deals—he made this possible through perks and guarantees unprecedented in the history of privatization in the Philippines IBON Features—Five State of the Nation Addresses (SONAs) ago, President Aquino declared public-private partnership (PPP) as the key to many of the country’s needs. Ten PPP awarded […]
