independent foreign policy

Duterte admin banning aid to hide human rights violations

September 24, 2019

Research group IBON, a member of the multisectoral network AidWatch, said that the Duterte administration is stopping talks on new official development assistance (ODA) from 18 countries as part of its efforts to hide the worsening domestic human rights situation. This includes Spain which is supporting the Commission on Human Rights (CHR). The group said […]

US still a major player

March 10, 2018

While the Duterte administration claims to have an independent foreign policy, his major programs such as the packages of tax reforms and the planned Charter change are among the key policy reforms long lobbied for by US business groups together with US aid agencies. Moreover, the US remains a major player in the Philippine economy. […]

Peace talks a casualty of the Trump-Duterte meeting?

November 24, 2017

By Arnold Padilla IBON Features – President Rodrigo Duterte’s hosting as chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit and related meetings solidified the sort of foreign policy that his administration will chart throughout its term. It is one that critics have already pointed out as still dependent on the patronage of the […]

US MCC to hurt PH economy more—IBON

November 15, 2017

The Philippines will be more incapable of building and protecting its own industries and economy under another Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) grant from the United States. Research group IBON said this in light of the recent agreement between US president Donald Trump and Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte to strengthen socio-economic ties in their Association of […]

Duterte admin’s econ direction troubling, but peace talks may stir change?

January 18, 2017

While the unorthodox Pres. Rodrigo Duterte gained popular support due to its pro-poor pronouncements and promise of change, research group IBON said that the neoliberal economic agenda prevails as  Duterte’s economic managers and other dominant groups push big business-biased/free market-oriented policies over people-centered reforms. Nevertheless, IBON also said that the ongoing peace negotiations between the […]

2017 IBON Planner “Promoting pro-people economics for Filipinos” excerpts

November 20, 2016

  “This year, IBON highlights twelve points for nationalist and progressive economics. These counterpose the neoliberal economic policy-making that worsen poverty and inequality in the Philippines. Neoliberal  economics results in joblessness, job insecurity, decrepit social services, and foreign plunder of our natural resources. “These twelve points are drawn from the People’s Agenda for Change. The […]