Duterte administration

Ayuda urgent as jobs crisis worsens from govt’s failed lockdowns, response

June 10, 2021

Latest labor force data confirm that the jobs situation is still much worse than before the pandemic. Government’s over-reliance on destructive lockdowns to contain the coronavirus is ineffective and only causes unnecessary economic distress for tens of millions of Filipinos. At the very least, immediately providing substantial ayuda grows more urgent by the day.

Duterterioration of the Philippine economy

June 3, 2021

Under the Duterte administration,the Philippine economy was already weak before the pandemic and made worse by inept COVID-19 response.

The TRIPS waiver on Covid-19 pharmaceuticals and the Big Pharma

June 2, 2021

There is a raging debate about whether or not the WTO should temporarily waive some intellectual property rights of Covid-19 pharmaceuticals. Developed countries oppose the proposal, but recently the US has announced its limited support, while the EU continues to wrangle over its necessity. For proponents, the waiver would speed up and scale up vaccine production and contribute to a faster vaccination process in poorer countries.

There’s money for bigger Bayanihan 3: Economic managers just refusing to give more — IBON

May 26, 2021

There is more than enough money for bigger emergency aid and stimulus in Bayanihan 3 if only the economic managers prioritize ayuda.

The Filipino elderly are left behind

May 13, 2021

For a nation that supposedly keeps strong traditions of filial piety, it should be a source of shame that many of its elderly are living in poverty and now disproportionately at risk of dying from the coronavirus.

Negative econ growth underscores jobs crisis – IBON

May 12, 2021

The first quarter 2021 economic performance is the clearest proof that government hype of employment surpassing pre-pandemic levels are hollow. The quality of work is deteriorating and the number of unemployed is higher compared to a year ago.

On the first quarter 2021 GDP growth: Govt missteps stalling real PH recovery

May 12, 2021

The government claims to be balancing health and economic concerns. The first quarter economic contraction, however, confirms that we are instead getting the worst of both worlds – economic losses and human suffering.