2019 midterm elections results: Harsher policies ahead

May 26, 2019

Administration-backed bets dominated the 2019 midterm elections especially in the Senate. The Duterte administration will certainly fast track its priority neoliberal policies as soon as the 18th Congress opens. It already used its super-majority in the 17th Congress to pass socioeconomic measures aggravating the country’s jobs crisis, poverty, and underdevelopment. More and harsher ones loom […]

WANTED: An Independent Senate

May 11, 2019

Midterm elections have always been crucial for any incumbent, as results will either affirm or reject the programs and policies so far of the ruling party. The 2019 midterm elections, however, appears to be different, as it happens at the heels of the Duterte administration’s implementation of harshest neoliberal economic policies and undermining democracy. The […]

How do the senatoriables fare?: TRAIN LAW

March 22, 2019

WHO’S SCARED TO DEBATE THE TRAIN LAW? The TRAIN Law implemented since 2018 increased the tax burden on tens of millions of the poorest Filipinos while lowering taxes on higher income families including the country’s richest. Some lawmakers have reconsidered but others still defend the indefensible. Most aspiring senators are justifiably critical. Who’s who?

TRAIN suspension, govt transparency and regulation needed to ease OPH burden

February 28, 2019

Research group IBON said that the third consecutive and big-time oil price hike only makes it more urgent for the Duterte administration to stop the oil excise taxes of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN). This will lessen the impact of rising oil prices on the poorest families. The group also said that […]

Fuel more expensive due to TRAIN

February 18, 2019

Fuel prices cheaper than in 2018 if not for TRAIN

February 14, 2019

Research group IBON said that the fuel prices would be cheaper now than in 2018 without the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law. The group said that TRAIN’s additional excise taxes have prevented Filipinos from feeling the benefits of lower global oil prices. Filipinos face even higher prices with the implementation of the […]

High prices, flat real wages remain despite lower inflation – IBON

February 5, 2019

Research group IBON said that the lower inflation figure for January 2019 is welcome, but stressed that prices are still higher compared to last year. Real wages have been stagnant for more than a decade and high prices remain a burden for most Filipino families, said the group. Headline inflation for January 2019 is at […]

Oil Deregulation Begets Overpricing; TRAIN Aggravates It

January 16, 2019

TRAIN Still Behind High Inflation

January 14, 2019