Features
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 […]
2017 SONA: Change is not always for the better
July 25, 2017
Sonny Africa 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 […]
President’s SONA can unite, but will likely divide
July 24, 2017
Sonny Africa Pres. Rodrigo Duterte started his term as a potentially powerful unifier of the nation, but he is now unfortunately its biggest source of division. Last year, he spoke of resuming peace talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), bringing all Moro groups together in an undivided peace process, and upholding […]
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 […]
Dutertenomics: lost cause?
July 20, 2017
During the Duterte administration’s first year, there was all the hype about aiming for inclusiveness and championing the common Filipino family’s dream for a comfortable life. The President took important, some unprecedented steps including hinting nationalism, willingness to work with progressives in the cabinet and pursuit of peace negotiations. Yet the administration capitalized on bloody […]
Rehashed neoliberal policies: One year of Dutertenomics
June 28, 2017
The Philippines is in a worsening socio-economic crisis. The direction of economic policies under the Duterte administration is alarming and in urgent need of correction. The government’s economic team still uses the anti-development policy framework of past administrations which will mean greater economic distress for the majority of Filipinos. The economy’s poor performance since June […]
Buwis(et)! DOF’s Top 5 Tax Reform Lies
June 20, 2017
By Sonny Africa IBON FEATURES — The Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act (TRAIN), the first part of the Duterte administration’s Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP), has hurdled the House of Representatives (HOR) and is up for deliberations at the Senate. The Department of Finance (DOF) targets approval of TRAIN, or House Bill No. […]
A challenge to reverse power privatization
June 16, 2017
In 2001, the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) was enacted with the promise of delivering affordable and reliable electricity to the country. Sixteen years later, electricity remains expensive and unreliable, and electric power industry monopoly has intensified, further enriching big firms. The following points elaborate on why the Duterte administration should all the more […]
