News
Bloated by patronage funds, proposed 2011 budget prone to corruption
August 31, 2010
This large pork barrel allocated mainly according to parochial concerns is inconsistent with improving the effectiveness of spending | Sonny Africa, IBON Research Head There is a marked increase in the 2011 national government (NG) budget submitted to Congress, making the proposed budget alarmingly patronage-rich, says research group IBON. The Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) […]
2011 proposed budget an austerity to repay debt
August 28, 2010
Most of this increase is accounted for by the large PhP80.9 billion increase in interest payments on debt to PhP357.1 billion Research group IBON calls the proposed 2011 National Government (NG) budget submitted to Congress an austerity budget to be able to keep repaying debt, adding that the proposed budget is not consistent with long-term […]
Economic growth remains unsustainable, unable to create jobs
August 26, 2010
The 2nd quarter and 1st semester results affirm why the country cannot and should not rely on external sources of growth amid the still unfolding global crisis The 7.9% growth in gross domestic product (GDP) is welcome at least for appearing to be mainly driven by domestic investors, according to research group IBON. Net foreign […]
SC urged not to miss historic opportunity on Luisita case: Genuine land reform, key to ending RP poverty
August 24, 2010
Breaking the feudal monopoly of the Aquino-Cojuangco clan over Hacienda Luisita will bring immediate and long-term economic benefits to the farm workers As the Supreme Court resumes its oral arguments on the Hacienda Luisita compromise deal today, independent think-tank IBON urged SC justices not to miss the historic opportunity to give decades-delayed justice to thousands […]
As UN declares access to water as basic human right: Aquino gov’t urged to stop water privatization
July 19, 2010
The Philippine experience shows that privatization violates the human right to water, and that water shortages are a direct result of privatization of water resources and utilities. The Aquino government should stop water privatization in the light of the United Nations’ (UN) recent resolution declaring water and sanitation as a right, according to water advocacy […]
Adopt pro-people measures to generate revenue, Aquino urged
July 16, 2010
IBON urges government to place the burden of adjusting to the fiscal crisis on those that have the greater capacity to pay The urgent challenge for the new Aquino administration is to increase revenues, but research group IBON urges government to place the burden of adjusting to the fiscal crisis on those that have the […]
Severe rich-poor income gap a cause for concern for Aquino gov’t
July 15, 2010
The income gap in the latest 2006 government data shows that the share of the top 10% families in the income pie was even higher at 36% than the 35% share of the bottom 70% families. One of the pressing issues that the Aquino administration faces is the widening rich-poor gap in the country, said […]
Reconsider attrition law as way to manage fiscal woes, DOF urged
July 12, 2010
The Attrition Act moreover paves the way for the unnecessary streamlining of government bureaucracy. Research group IBON Foundation calls on the Department of Finance (DoF) to reconsider its proposal of strengthening the attrition law to address the country’s deficit, saying that the measure passes the burden of efficiency to government workers and deregulates government function […]
Recent power hike highlights urgency of repealing EPIRA
June 10, 2010
The latest rate hike announced by Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) reinforces consumers’ long-time demand to repeal Republic Act 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) of 2001. Research group IBON also urges Pres. Aquino, who as Tarlac representative voted against the EPIRA in 2001, to take steps in repealing the pro-corporation law. Under […]
