News
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 […]
Economy loses jobs despite reported growth
June 12, 2017
The recently released labor force survey figures indicate an alarming intensification of the domestic jobs crisis with the economy losing jobs despite reported economic growth, said research group IBON. Reported unemployment and underemployment in the country fell, but so did employment and the size of the labor force – all of which indicate growing distortions […]
Tax reform should be pro-poor, progressive
June 3, 2017
Research institution IBON said that government should be willing to forge a genuinely progressive tax system instead of adopting one that remains pro-rich. The group said this upon recent Congressional approval of the first part of the Department of Finance’s (DOF) Comprehensive Tax Reform Package (CTRP). Forging a truly progressive tax package is an important […]
Martial law declaration will not help economy–IBON
May 25, 2017
The Duterte administration’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao increases political instability in the country, research group IBON said, and will not help the economy, which is already slowing as it is. While the 1987 Constitution provides for such a declaration, its indiscriminate use gives the impression of an authoritarian government arbitrarily using power for […]
