Economic cha-cha is no vaccine for recovery or development

January 13, 2021

The economy’s development lies in using the protections in the Constitution to gain from foreign investment, not in taking away the protections and giving self-interested foreign investment free rein over the domestic economy.

Charter change compromises Philippine economy

January 12, 2021

Pursuing economic Cha-cha in the middle of a public health crisis and unprecedented economic decline smacks of putting vested interests first over squarely addressing the urgent need to create and save jobs, incomes and small businesses.

Opening Statement for the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments on the Proposed Amendments to the 1987 Constitution

February 13, 2020

The current global context of growing protectionism, a turnaround from investment liberalization, and eroding multilateralism make relaxing foreign equity restrictions even more inappropriate

Neoliberal amendments loom

May 23, 2019

#MalalangEkonomiya #MayMagagawa #PeopleEconomics #BeyondElections2019

Group challenges Senate: Stop Charter change

May 19, 2019

Research group IBON is challenging the succeeding Senate to prove its independence by rejecting the proposal to amend the 1987 Philippine Constitution or Charter change (Cha-cha). Lawmakers should keep in mind the dangers that Cha-cha poses on Philippine economic sovereignty, said the group, and not be swayed into passing other laws that fulfill the consistent […]

Regarding efforts to change the 1987 Philippine Constitution

January 10, 2019

Charter Change: Renewed blow to sovereignty (IBON Facts & Figures excerpt)

April 22, 2018

The Philippine Congress pushed anew efforts towards amending the 1987 Philippine Constitution… This call for changes in the Charter is the latest among many attempts, seeking to remove the Charter’s nationalist and other progressive economic provisions. Widespread protests and outright resistance from various sectors however deterred legislators from pursuing the changes. Those who are opposed […]

What You Need to Know About Charter Change and its Possible Effects on the Education Sector

April 4, 2018

By Jose Lorenzo Lim (In a series of articles, IBON tackles proposals to amend the 1987 Philippine Constitution*, focusing on social and economic provisions. These touch on agrarian reform for industrialization, and full foreign ownership and control of Philippine lands and natural resources including agricultural lands, public utilities, labor rights, educational institutions and mass media. […]

Independent foreign policy? Foreign interests behind TRAIN, Cha-cha, says IBON

January 18, 2018

While President Duterte likes to claim that his administration adheres to an independent foreign policy, it appears that his major programs such as the packages of tax reforms and the planned Charter change (Cha-cha) are actually pushed by US and other foreign interests. IBON noted that the tax reforms and Cha-cha are among the key policy reforms long lobbied for by […]