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 […]

Worst Job Generation in Post-Marcos Period

January 24, 2019

Under Duterte, econ slowing and job creation the lowest since after Marcos–IBON

January 16, 2019

Research group IBON said that the economy is slowing under the Duterte administration and that its first two full years registered the lowest level of job creation among post-Marcos administrations. The group said that these obvious signs of the country’s troubled economy should be enough to make the government reconsider its overly market-driven policies. Budget […]

2nd quarter growth weakest in five election years: Bold new economic policies needed

August 18, 2016

  Research group IBON said that the 7.0% growth in the second quarter of 2016 and 6.9% growth in the first semester are the weakest in the past five election years and challenge the Duterte administration. Bold changes in economic policies are needed to achieve sustained higher growth, said the group. According to IBON, the […]

Elitist politics and economics: the real Aquino legacy

July 1, 2016

The next presidency is challenged  to tackle a worst-ever jobs crisis, heightened inequality,and  pro-foreign and pro-business policies sown under Aquino’s leadership   Towards the end of its six years in office, the Aquino government boasted its legacy of inclusive growth. Indeed for its neoliberal thrusts the Aquino administration may have achieved certain economic outcomes. But for […]

Amid growth: PH unemployment still worst in Asia–IBON

May 23, 2016

Research group IBON warned against overestimating the reported high election-boosted economic growth as a sign of economic success. Economic growth is important but should not be used to divert public attention from fundamental problems of chronic joblessness and poverty, the group said. The Philippine economy’s reported 6.9% growth in gross domestic product (GDP) in the […]