State of the Nation Address

5 marks of a crumbling democracy

July 20, 2023

The Marcoses personify the worst aspects of Philippine politics. And Marcos Jr is levelling up these anti-democratic features in the 21st century.

SONA 2020: “Boracay is doing well because of its scenery”

July 28, 2020

BIRD FEED

The president is at the commanding heights of policymaking in the country. If this last SONA showed anything, it’s the lack of leadership over pandemic response at the very top — Pres. Duterte doesn’t seem to appreciate the worst public health crisis and economic decline in the country’s history.

Wage hikes need not cause higher prices — IBON

July 20, 2018

Research group IBON said that substantially raising the minimum wage of Filipino workers need not lead to price hikes, contrary to the recent claims of National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Ernesto Pernia. IBON said that wage hikes should be taken from profits instead of being considered a cost of production passed on to […]

President’s SONA can unite, but will likely divide

July 24, 2017

Sonny Africa Pres. Rodrigo Duterte started his term as a potentially powerful unifier of the nation, but he is now unfortunately its biggest source of division. Last year, he spoke of resuming peace talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), bringing all Moro groups together in an undivided peace process, and upholding […]