News
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 […]
On peace talks interruption: Negotiated econ reforms risk being lost–IBON
July 21, 2017
#PeoplesSONA2017 / Research group IBON said that the interruption of peace talks between the government and the NDFP also interrupts important discussions on economic reforms. The group said this in the aftermath of the announcement of Jesus Dureza, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, that the back-channel talks with the National Democratic Front of the […]
More glitches of privatized MRT3 in 2016 bared
July 12, 2017
#PeoplesSona2017/ Research group IBON attributed Metro Rail Transit Line 3’s (MRT3) more frequent breakdowns to the privatization of the rail transport. The group reminded government that passing on to corporations the State’s role to provide the people with a rail transport system, as with other basic utilities, has by experience been at the expense of […]
DepEd streamlining of Grade 10 Social Studies ignores democracy, governance lessons–EFD
July 5, 2017
Transformative education advocates belonging to the Educators Forum for Development (EFD) expressed concern about the Department of Education’s (DepEd) latest Contemporary Issues curriculum revision. The measure effectively removes topics pertinent to students’ grasp of and attitude towards issues that have been afflicting Philippine society until now, the group said. The DepEd released an April 21, […]
DTI scrapping of SRP harmful to consumers–IBON
July 1, 2017
Research group IBON said that the trade department’s order to give the private sector the free rein in determining the price of basic goods will harm consumers especially the poor majority. This is a form of deregulation whereby the government reneges on its responsibility to regulate the price of basic goods and protect consumers, the […]
