Features
Rising US, China protectionism: Philippines still on losing end
November 14, 2017
By Audrey De Jesus Free trade agreements (FTAs) are a major agenda item for countries attending the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit. whether at the meeting proper or the sidelines. Contrary to the projection that FTAs promote partnerships for development, however, these FTAs are becoming more and more one-sided. As the world […]
No thanks: US behind Duterte’s anti-poor tax reform
November 13, 2017
At the onset of the much-anticipated first-ever bilateral talks between United States president Donald Trump and President Rodrigo Duterte on Philippine soil, it should be reiterated that the US has a hand in what would be the most anti-poor tax program in the country’s history. The Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) exemplifies how […]
Five ASEAN features that show “One Community” is exclusionary
November 12, 2017
By Casey Salamanca On its 50th year, and under Philippine chairmanship, the Association of South East Asian Nations or ASEAN is being hyped to have brought development to its member countries. Themed “Partnering for Change, Engaging the World” for 2017, the convergence of ASEAN’s ten-member countries and its dialogue partners is anticipated to bolster the regional […]
Yolanda rehab tragedy: Bound for a repeat?
November 9, 2017
Four years after Typhoon Yolanda struck the Visayas region, reconstruction and rehabilitation is still not being felt by many of those in disaster-affected communities. This is because the Philippine government’s approach to recovery and rehabilitation and its measurement of success has been based on an erroneous neoliberal framework that prioritizes big business interests over the […]
Consumers to pay big business, foreign firms’ income tax under Duterte bill
October 20, 2017
By Arnold Padilla (Released at the launch of consumer network Samahan at Ugnayan ng Konsyumer para sa Ikauunlad ng Bayan (SUKI)) When President Rodrigo Duterte told striking jeepney drivers and operators “Magtiis kayo sa hirap at gutom”, he could be as well speaking to all poor Filipinos who struggle with ever-rising cost of electricity, water and […]
Corporate Capture in Jeepney “Modernization”
October 17, 2017
By Glenis Balangue The Duterte administration has suspended classes on October 16-17, anticipating that the transport strike of jeepney drivers and operators to protest the phaseout of jeepneys may paralyze transportation nationwide. Yet, the government has been sweeping under the rug concerns not only of small drivers and operators but also of the riding public: […]
Hindi Totoong Maka-mahirap Ang TRAIN Ni Duterte
October 11, 2017
Ano ang TRAIN? Itinuturing na ‘urgent’ ng gubyernong Duterte ang Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion o TRAIN. Layunin ng TRAIN na makalikom ng P1.3 trillion para tustusan ang Build! Build! Build! o ang engrandeng programa sa imprastruktura ng pamahalaan. Itutulak daw nito ang pambansang pag-unlad at ang kapakanan ng mahihirap. Sa ilalim ng […]
On Consumer Welfare Month: 20 years of MWSS privatization, 20 years of violating the people’s right to water
October 3, 2017
By Water for the People Network- The 20th anniversary of the privatization of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) in August was considered a milestone by privatization proponents. The MWSS has often been used to showcase the supposed benefits of turning over water supply services to private corporations. But the start of government-declared Consumer Welfare Month […]
Will the poor benefit from paying higher taxes?
September 25, 2017
by Audrey de Jesus Among the hyped claims of the Department of Finance (DOF) about the government’s tax reform package is how taxes paid by the poor will go back to them in the form of infrastructure projects and social services. The reality however is that the taxes will go largely to big-ticket infrastructure projects […]
