News
Passage of PPP Act institutionalizes oligarchic control of economy
February 2, 2016
While stubborn to subsidize social security as seen in president’s veto of pension hike, govt assures businesses of humongous benefits by rushing PPP Act Research group IBON scored the midnight passage of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Act on third and final reading in the Lower House of Congress, saying that it deepens elite profiteering from […]
Group says domestic fuel prices may be lowered further
February 1, 2016
Public suspicion that the oil cartel abuses its monopoly on the industry to overprice petroleum products has not settled Amid falling global oil prices, think tank IBON Foundation said that oil companies may be reducing pump prices less than is warranted. IBON observed that the reduction in global oil prices far exceed that in local […]
Government can afford Php2,000 pension hike–IBON
January 30, 2016
Research group says veto due to failure of political will rather than lack of resources Think-tank IBON said that government can very well source funding for the Php2,000 pension hike which President Aquino recently vetoed. Aside from citing the leeway from the improved fiscal situation under the current administration that Malacanang has played up so […]
Economic slowdown likely end of rapid growth – IBON
January 29, 2016
Domestic employment and higher incomes are more sustainable sources of demand and economic growth The economic slowdown may indicate the end to the brief episode of rapid growth, said research group IBON. Unsustainable external growth drivers like low interest rates, overseas Filipino workers earnings and exports are moving adversely, while domestic jobs and higher incomes […]
Under Aquino: Real minimum wage up by only P17 amid huge private profits
January 20, 2016
The gap between the nominal minimum wage and the family living wage grew while big business is reeling in huge private profits Research group IBON said that real minimum wage barely increased under the Aquino administration while big business continues to enjoy billions in private profits. IBON observed that real minimum wage in the National […]
Gov’t unwilling to hike pension but willing to allot big bucks to PPPs
January 20, 2016
2016 national budget retains Php30-billion risk management program which protects private profits Research group IBON criticized the Aquino government for its continuous defense of the President’s veto of the proposed Social Security System (SSS) pension hike. Its refusal to increase support for ordinary pensioners while institutionalizing the allocation of public funds to guarantee corporate profits […]
Review FTA policy before entering new ones, govt urged
January 13, 2016
Before entering FTAs, the Philippine government first needs to adopt a new framework that protects and asserts the country’s sovereign right to pursue national and democratic economic development The government’s current strategy of actively seeking free trade agreements (FTAs) to obtain market access and increase foreign investments is reckless and places the country at a […]
WTO confirms irrelevance for development–IBON
December 27, 2015
Underdeveloped economies did not gain anything from the talks The World Trade Organization’s (WTO) tenth ministerial conference in Kenya’s capital Nairobi confirmed its inability to deliver development, research group IBON said. Economies continue to be opened up at the expense of the world’s poor majority. The United States (US) and European Union (EU) also blocked […]
Manila Water P79 billion demand outrageous: rescind anti-consumer CA now
December 14, 2015
Government should take hold of the country’s water resources and ensure public benefit first and foremost Private concessionaire Manila Water Co. Inc.’s (MWCI) move for arbitration and demand for public compensation for the company’s projected losses is an utter display of greed, water consumer watchdog Water for the People Network (WPN) said. The company’s assertion […]
