Duterte’s RCEP push at ASEAN, implications on PH economy and development

Agosto 10, 2017

By Arnold Padilla Part 1-At the 50th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), President Rodrigo Duterte endorsed the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) deal. RCEP is being negotiated by the 10 member states of the ASEAN plus six other countries that ASEAN has a free trade agreement (FTA) with or the so-called […]

Ensure free tuition as a major first step: Support right to education by improving, expanding public schools–EFD

Agosto 9, 2017

A network of teachers for transformative education said that the signing of the free tuition bill into law is a welcome major first step in realizing education as a right and should be ensured by government  as a priority. Improving and expanding the public university system is however as important, said the group, as is […]

Gov’t urged to keep Lumad schoolchildren safe, order military to leave schools alone (Letter to Editors)

Agosto 4, 2017

  We, members of the Educators’ Forum for Development, are alarmed at Pres. Rodrigo Duterte’s order to “bomb Lumad schools”. The administration also staunchly defends the extension of Martial Lawin Mindanao which has further disrupted Lumad schools. The safety of the Lumad schoolchildren will only be secured with the immediate withdrawal of the military from […]

IBON AVP: Haciendas Remain

Hulyo 30, 2017

Tax ‘reform’ program burdens poor more than the rich–IBON

Hulyo 30, 2017

Research group IBON said that Pres. Rodrigo Duterte’s State of the Nation (SONA) statement that “we achieved the first step towards more equitable taxes” is incorrect because the poorest majority of Filipinos will be more burdened by taxes than the rich. The Department of Finance (DOF) is covering this up, the group also said. According […]

2017 SONA: Change is not always for the better

Hulyo 25, 2017

Sonny Africa Among Pres. Rodrigo Duterte’s idiosyncrasies is preferring a vulgar stream-of-consciousness approach in his speeches. This is even for the annual state of the nation address (SONA) at the opening of Congress which is undoubtedly the government’s highest-profile policy speech of the year. The president’s choice is a matter of style but then this […]

2017 SONA dismissive of PH socioecon problems—IBON

Hulyo 25, 2017

The 2017 State of the Nation Address was dismissive of the Philippines’ serious socioeconomic problems especially joblessness, poverty and inequities, research group IBON said. The President even tended to oversimplify the economic situation to justify authoritarianism, said the group. President Duterte delivered Monday his second State of the Nation Address to the country’s senators and […]

President’s SONA can unite, but will likely divide

Hulyo 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 […]

What Ever Happened To Change Is Coming?

Hulyo 24, 2017

Click to view video What Ever Happened to Contractualization in PH? Click here to view video What Ever Happened To “Occupy Oligarch Lands”? View video “What Ever Happened To Oligarchs Shouldn’t Get Rich At People’s Expense?” View video What Ever Happened To Land Use Conversion Moratorium? View video What Ever Happened To “Am Answerable Only […]