PH Debt: All’s well that swells

June 13, 2020

The finance department underscores the need for government to borrow from foreign sources to fund its economic recovery plan. Multilateral and country creditors have unsurprisingly exploited the situation and recycled funds to lend. But do we really need to borrow for COVID-19 response? How are we going to pay for all of these debts?

Anti-Terrorism Bill Silences Dissent, Curtails Democratic Rights

June 12, 2020

Amid the current challenges facing Filipino educators nationwide, we cannot simply stay silent or neutral as increased ranks of Filipinos call for the junking of the Anti-Terrorism Bill. When it is not only us but our children’s and students’ rights and freedoms that are at stake, we stand in unison in opposing a more draconian version of the Human Security of Act of 2007 and in defending the values and principles that our ancestors have fought for.

Anti-terror law worsens economic policymaking for a few at the expense of the many

June 8, 2020

STATEMENT | The Duterte administration wants an anti-terrorism law giving it unchecked power to surveil, harass, arrest and detain government critics under the pretext of fighting terrorism. It has been on a trajectory of violating human rights, due process, rule of law, and accountability since the start of its term. With the new law, the government will achieve authoritarianism unmatched since Martial Law in the 1970s.

COVID-19: How prepared are we now?

June 6, 2020

BIRD FEED

After two and a half months of lockdown, the public healthcare system remains unequipped with the necessary weapons to fight COVID-19.

Jobless figures confirm poor govt response to COVID-19 crisis

June 5, 2020

The country’s record joblessness demands extraordinary measures from the Duterte administration to help tens of millions of families losing incomes. Unfortunately, the response so far has been stingy and the supposed recovery program does not appear to give much more.

Statement on government’s COVID-19 stimulus measures

May 30, 2020

STATEMENT

Fiscal decisions are critical especially in times of crisis – when the need is greatest for the State to commit to its obligation to respect, protect and fulfill the social and economic rights of the people.

GCQ Reality Check

May 27, 2020

BIRD FEED | Rosario Guzman | Struggling with the dilemma for about a month now – caught between the lack of science and intense pressure from big business to continue profit-making – the Duterte government is about to decide to transition the country to a general community quarantine (GCQ).

Upon COVID-19: Time to tax the super-rich

May 25, 2020

FEATURES

The Philippines has never had a wealth tax. For as long as there has been a tax system in the country, taxes have been collected from what people pay for what they consume or from what they earn.

Why make the poor pay for COVID-19 response?

May 24, 2020

COMMENTARY

There’s more than enough money for all the COVID-19 response we need – the Duterte administration just has to take the side of the people and stop being so scared of the rich.