Philippine economy

Trump’s hyper-neoliberalism

April 21, 2025

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While the Trump administration represents a rupture from neoliberal globalization, its protectionist stance reflects a deeper continuity. Trump is not repudiating neoliberalism but rather accelerating and concentrating it.

The poor’s calvary

April 16, 2025

World Bank wants to tax Filipinos, but not the rich

April 8, 2025

Tax reforms should align with broader developmental goals like reducing inequality, strengthening public services, and promoting inclusive growth rather than narrowly focusing on revenue maximization. The government should object to World Bank conditionalities as a matter of principle.

National government outstanding debt

April 2, 2025

Divided per family, national government outstanding debt is now over Php600,000.

IBON Executive Director on Duterte supporters’ call for a week of OFW Zero Remittance

March 26, 2025

“Like the Duterte brand, it’s all bluster and optics — ultimately empty and devoid of anything meaningful or positive… And like the Duterte brand, if ignored, it has no meaning at all.”

Making upper middle-income status matter

February 20, 2025

Understanding what upper middle-income status really means easily clarifies that it is in many respects just a fantasy.

Higpit-sinturon despite within-target inflation

February 7, 2025

The Marcos Jr adminstration was happy that inflation was within target for the year. Yet, the incomes of a lot of Filipinos are still insufficient to buy their basic needs.