8.3% in Q1-2022 the end of high GDP growth rates

May 12, 2022

While economic growth in the first quarter of 2022 is welcome, this is mainly driven by base effects and election-related spending. Growth is also weak and unsustainable considering the unfavorable jobs market. Things could be even worse depending on how the volatile global economy plays out. This will likely be the last relatively high growth reported, and the next administration will have to make do with weaker growth performance.

Philippine economy suffered under Marcos

February 26, 2022

The decade 1975-1986 was actually a time of intense social crisis and economic difficulty for most Filipinos.

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.

Who is afraid of degrowth?

A Global South economic perspective

October 12, 2021

Environmental scientists, economists, academics and social movements have been talking about “degrowth” as an approach in dealing with the climate crisis. The concept makes perfect sense, but it has provoked doubts and objections, even among well-meaning environmentalists.

Under Marcos, PH economy worst performing in Asia

September 18, 2021

Govt’s 7-9% growth in 2022 is just a fantasy – IBON

August 26, 2021

The Development Budget Coordination Committee has had a poor record of projecting economic growth in the last five years with their estimates always off the mark. Worse, their narrow-minded fiscal conservatism is the biggest factor preventing more rapid recovery.

Strong economy? Growth slowing even pre-pandemic

July 25, 2021

The Duterte administration keeps on repeating that the Philippine economy was strong coming into the pandemic. Official statistics prove otherwise.

IMF sees Vietnam overtaking PH: It’s not because of COVID

October 15, 2020

COMMENTARY

Our economic managers would do well to stop being blinded by their neoliberal dogma and start taking a more strategic view of national development. Without radical changes in our economic policies the Philippines will just keep getting left further behind.

Slower economy affirms undue hype over credit rating upgrade

May 9, 2019

Sign of unsound economy Slower gross domestic product (GDP) growth during the first quarter of 2019 belies any claim of a healthy Philippine economy. Research group IBON stressed that the Duterte administration’s enthusiasm over the recent credit rating upgrade that the country got is unwarranted. Instead of hailing business-biased programs, government should look to more […]