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.

What Marcos Jr’s US trip was really for

October 5, 2022

The real success of Marcos Jr’s trip to the US was the rehabilitation of his family’s justifiably tarnished name and rebuilding foreign policy bridges that former Pres. Duterte burned. However, the trip did not really bring back anything beneficial for the people especially in terms of solving the country’s long-standing economic crisis.

US Aid Increasing Under Duterte

July 3, 2019

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. […]

Rejecting US ‘aid’ even better–IBON

May 18, 2017

Research group IBON said that the spirit of the Duterte administration’s rejection of official development aid (ODA) from the European Union (EU) for being used to intervene in the Philippines’ internal affairs is welcome. There is however a much clearer and stronger basis to reject ‘aid’ from the United States (US), which has used its […]

These issues and more at the IBON 2016 Yearend Birdtalk

January 2, 2017

Join us on January 13, 2017 1-5m for a discussion on these issues and more at the IBON Yearend 2016 Birdtalk! #WeLearnChange #EconomicsForFilipinos. – https://www.facebook.com/IbonFoundation/videos/10157987318205162/

Marcos ensured US-directed IMF/WB intervention in PH policy making

November 25, 2016

    “The rule of Nacionalista Party’s Ferdinand E. Marcos which began in 1965 was strong on nationalist and patriotic rhetoric. Yet Pres. Marcos was by no means a nationalist if ‘nation’ is understood as the majority of Filipinos and ‘nationalism’ as upholding their interests and asserting Filipino sovereignty over foreign powers. “Most anti-nationalist president. […]

End US interference in PH econ affairs, gov’t urged

October 7, 2016

Independence assertion a first 100 days highlight O​n the eve of the Duterte administration’s 100th day, research group IBON said that the government should not just be open to United States (US) withdrawal of its assistance to the Philippines. The Philippines can unilaterally end so-called programs which interfere in the country’s economic policy-making. This includes […]