Why do we keep on begging China for friendship?

April 21, 2020

BY ROSARIO GUZMAN

In the face of the Filipino people’s growing anxieties about COVID-19 and life after the lockdown, president Duterte keeps heaping praises on China.

Where’s our water?

March 21, 2020

By Jose Lorenzo Lim

The WHO stated that the best way to avoid COVID-19 is by simply handwashing frequently with soap and water for around 20 seconds. Soap dissolves the fat membranes of the SARS-CoV-2, which is the pathogen that causes COVID-19 and makes it inactive. Sounds easy right?

Dam(n)ming the Philippines

March 14, 2020

The ongoing construction of megadams physically threatening communities and the environment, continues to unfold and warrant government and public attention too. Adding this voice on the International Day of Rivers and Against Large Dams: #MalalangEkonomiya #MayMagagawa #ProtectTheEnvironment #UpholdPeoplesRights #NoToKaliwaKananLaibanDams #NoToOnerousChinaLoans #PeoplesControlOverPeoplesResources

China ODA funds half of water resource projects under Duterte’s Flagship Infra

March 10, 2020

In the Philippines, water resource projects under Duterte’s flagship infrastructure program are being funded with foreign loans, half of which are from China. One of these is the Kaliwa Dam, which faces opposition from indigenous people and residents of affected areas in Rizal and Quezon provinces. The dam poses huge threats on the environment and […]

Who Benefits From POGOs?

March 2, 2020

Wake me up before you POGO

January 9, 2020

BY JOSE LORENZO LIM

The government has relied on the BPO industry for economic growth but even that is slowing down as seen in the decline of BPO investments in the country. Now, the government seems to be replacing BPOs with POGOs as the future of the services sector.

China’s energy investments around the world

January 7, 2020

An overwhelming majority of China’s energy investments globally are in the Asian region. This includes 40% of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) owned by the State Grid Corporation of China. Led by Chinese executives and operated by Chinese contractors, this private firm is responsible for transmitting electricity from generating plants to substations […]

Global Trouble, Local Bubble

January 26, 2019

by Sonny Africa The Philippine economy is slowing amid a global economy in a new period of uncertainty, unpredictability and volatility. The country’s economic policymaking however remains stuck in an imaginary world of efficient free markets, beneficial globalization and humane capitalism. A clearer view of where the world is today compels new economics more than […]

Philippines in a Happy and Healthy Relationship with China?

November 28, 2018

by Sonny Africa IBON Features – Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recently concluded state visit was hyped as historic and relationship-altering in a good way towards “comprehensive, strategic cooperation”. The joint statement released at the end spoke of a couple with a healthy relationship: reminiscing the past, establishing trust, open communication, arguing in a healthy way […]