Debt benefits

January 22, 2022

The national government deficit and debt are historically large amounts and so easy to raise alarms about. But if current borrowing is used productively, this debt burden is actually not necessarily unmanageable.

BBB: Farce multiplier

January 19, 2022

The real question is what balance to strike between universal social protection and infrastructure. The disproportionate attention to urban-centric transport infrastructure of the Build Build Build program is clearly a problem.

Scar-crossed Labors

January 17, 2022

We will likely hear claims of strong economic performance, early recovery, and returning to a path of rapid and inclusive growth. But labor force and poverty figures for 2021 already show how any claims like that will just be bluster or, worse, blind to the daily experience of millions of Filipinos.

Yearstarter: Seeking better normal in 2022

January 14, 2022

The administration that is exiting and the new one entering can take a more rational and humane approach to recovering and reforming the economy.

Yearender: Unrepentant economics in 2021

December 31, 2021

For the economic managers, managing the economy is really about making big business prosper most of all. It’s unfortunately not about doing everything to improve people’s lives or alleviate their distress.

A peace challenge

December 20, 2021

How far are politicians currently running for office really willing to go for peace based on justice?

Climate action is alive and well in peoples’ struggles

November 17, 2021

Tokenistic and “greenwashed” programs that prioritize profit over people’s well-being and the sustainable use of the environment and resources can not ensure the protection of the people and the planet.

Jobless, sluggish growth persists contrary to gov’t hype — IBON

November 10, 2021

Economic managers shouldn’t celebrate too soon over seemingly positive third quarter growth as more and more Filipinos lose jobs and increasingly make do with informal work. Economic growth is also still slowing with many sectors years from recovery.

Duterte government’s green smokescreen

November 7, 2021

STATEMENT

At the COP 26, the Duterte administration pledges to cut local carbon emissions and transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient society according to its Sustainable Finance Roadmap and its Guiding Principles. Yet its mining and energy policies go in the opposite direction and ruin the environment.