News
RCEP talks secretive, undemocratic – IBON
September 4, 2017
Research group IBON expressed concern about the secretive and undemocratic proceedings of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) especially considering its apparent significant impact on the country’s economy, economic sovereignty and people’s welfare. The group said that it is the Duterte administration’s responsibility to ensure genuine transparency and public consultation to uphold the interests of […]
DOF insistence on anti-poor tax package for free educ hit
August 31, 2017
Research group IBON said that the Department of Finance (DOF) should not use free education as a pretext for the Philippine Senate to pass a full version of the administration’s anti-poor tax reform package. The group also said that the administration should instead decisively tax the country’s wealthiest for national development needs. Finance secretary Carlos […]
2nd quarter growth rates point to economic headwinds
August 22, 2017
Research group IBON said that the recently released 2017 second quarter national accounts underscore the serious headwinds facing the Philippine economy. The group said that the Duterte administration should focus on building sustainable domestic foundations of growth and development rather than depend on external factors such as remittances, cheap labor business process outsourcing (BPO), and […]
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 […]
Ensure free tuition as a major first step: Support right to education by improving, expanding public schools–EFD
August 9, 2017
A network of teachers for transformative education said that the signing of the free tuition bill into law is a welcome major first step in realizing education as a right and should be ensured by government as a priority. Improving and expanding the public university system is however as important, said the group, as is […]
Tax ‘reform’ program burdens poor more than the rich–IBON
July 30, 2017
Research group IBON said that Pres. Rodrigo Duterte’s State of the Nation (SONA) statement that “we achieved the first step towards more equitable taxes” is incorrect because the poorest majority of Filipinos will be more burdened by taxes than the rich. The Department of Finance (DOF) is covering this up, the group also said. According […]
2017 SONA dismissive of PH socioecon problems—IBON
July 25, 2017
The 2017 State of the Nation Address was dismissive of the Philippines’ serious socioeconomic problems especially joblessness, poverty and inequities, research group IBON said. The President even tended to oversimplify the economic situation to justify authoritarianism, said the group. President Duterte delivered Monday his second State of the Nation Address to the country’s senators and […]
