Makabayan senatorial bet Neri Colmenares challenged Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos to a debate at Plaza Miranda on the issue of human rights violations during Ferdinand Marcos’ iron-fisted rule. Angered at Imee’s statement that reports of human rights violations during Martial rule were just ‘political accusations’, Colmenares said he himself was tortured and imprisoned as […]
Arrest of peace consultant, rights advocates violates peace agreements – Karapatan
Karapatan condemned the arrest of a peace consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), along with four other companions in Laguna on October 15, 2018, as part of the “Duterte government’s relentless and gross violation of previously signed peace agreements with the NDFP, particularly the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL).”
(From the left: Hedda Calderon, Ireneo Atadero, Edisel Legaspi, Adel Silva, and Julio Lusania)
RELIC
Thousands flocked at San Pedro Cathedral to see the Incorrupt Heart of St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina. The heart relic arrived in Davao City on October 15 and will stay until October 17.(Ken E. Cagula/davaotoday.com)
Silva says guns and explosives ‘planted’ by police
Detained National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) consultant Adelberto Silva said the guns and explosives the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) allege were seized from them were “planted”. Charged with illegal possession of firearms in an inquest proceeding in Sta. Cruz, Laguna late Tuesday afternoon, October 16, […]
PH Economy Duterteriorating | Crisis in Agriculture
#WorldHungerDay #UpholdPeopleEconomics
Agricultural growth today falls far behind estimated population growth of 1.6% in 2018 and is well below the 7-decade historical average of 3.0% since 1948. The agricultural slowdown is also reflected in massive job losses in the sector.
The Duterte administration only gives lip service to improving agricultural productivity amid this severe crisis of agriculture in the countryside. It also continues long-standing government neglect of the sector. The proposed 3.7% combined agriculture and agrarian reform budget for 2019 is even lower than the historical range of about 4-6% since the mid-1980s.
Proposals to increase food imports may be necessary but should only be a short-term emergency measure used with restraint if it has been established that there is a shortage. It is possible for more food imports to lower prices but only if traders do not exploit tariff cuts just to increase their profits. – From “Crisis of PH agriculture drives high inflation and economic slowdown”
Bolder measures beyond suspension of fuel excise needed—IBON
The Duterte administration’s announcement that it will suspend the next round of fuel excise taxes will not lower current high prices and at best only lessens TRAIN’s inflationary impact next year, research group IBON said. It is however a welcome admission of the inflationary impact of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law, said the group. Yet while it is very much needed, the public deserves more meaningful policy steps to lessen inflation and its impact, stressed IBON.
The country’s economic managers recently recommended to Pres. Rodrigo Duterte the suspension of the January 2019 round of oil excise taxes. IBON however pointed out that the announcement is mainly to give the illusion of executive action to ease inflation rather than a new bold step. TRAIN stipulates that additional fuel excise taxes should be suspended when Dubai crude prices based on the Mean of Platts Singapore breach the US$80 per barrel threshold for three months prior to a scheduled excise increase.
Suspending not just looming oil taxes but also those implemented since the start of the year would have been more decisive, the group said. The government is announcing the suspension in advance to give the impression of action now and because they know oil prices will stay above the US$80 threshold. The public has been clamoring to suspend all TRAIN levies but the Duterte administration has been brushing these aside.
IBON said that the fuel excise tax suspension is needed but far from enough to lower prices or ease the inflationary burden on the poor. Keeping existing oil excise taxes since January 2018 means that the high prices they cause will remain, IBON stressed. As it is, the group estimated that each of the country’s poorest 60% of households have already lost at least Php1,800 to Php4,725 since the start of the year due to inflation.
More and bolder measures are needed to give relief to low- and middle-income families, said IBON. Short-term measures include price ceilings on basic commodities, such as but not only rice, and raising wages substantially. There should be a crackdown on exploitative and profiteering traders. The inflationary tax components of TRAIN especially its oil excise taxes should also be immediately suspended.
These should be accompanied by strategic action, said IBON. Government should strengthen Philippine agriculture and local industries to ensure stable and affordable supplies of food and other basic goods. The domestic oil industry should be regulated responsibly including through active state participation and intervention. The government should repeal TRAIN and raise revenues with a genuinely progressive tax system of higher direct taxes on the rich and those with the ability to pay rather than with higher consumption taxes on the poor. ###
NDFP calls for Silva’s release
National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) chief peace negotiator Fidel Agcaoili called for the release of Adelberto Silva who was arrested with four others Monday afternoon by Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) forces in Sta. Cruz, Laguna. “It’s a big setback on the peace process and the NDFP calls on the […]