philippine development

Villar’s vision of a “New Philippines”

Villar reveals vision for RP in New York –Johanna M. Sampan During the recent commemoration of Philippine Independence, Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. flew to New York City and delivered a speech at the Carnegie Council on his vision for the Philippines in the next few years. Villar said the country’s problems a hundred years ago … Continue reading »

Philippines: Florida of Asia?

Retiring in the Philippines By Atty. Mike Templo | 06/13/2009 12:34 PM Send to friend | Most, if not all, Filipinos that I’ve spoken to abroad all dream of retiring in the Philippines.  Whether they’re an Overseas Filipino Worker or Filipino-American, they see the P.I. (as they call the Philippines), as a place where they … Continue reading »

Philippines and her shrinking middle class

RP middle class shrinking even before crisis By Karen Flores, abs-cbnNEWS.com | 06/13/2009 11:09 AM Send to friend | Many Filipino middle-class families were already lost to the low-income groups years before the global economic crisis started. Data from the government’s Family Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES) showed that middle-class families only accounted for 19.1 … Continue reading »

Businessmen support changing Philippine Constitution

Filipino-Chinese traders back Charter change By TJ Burgonio Philippine Daily Inquirer First Posted 05:43:00 06/11/2009 MANILA, Philippines—While she has come under fire from business groups over Charter change, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has apparently found an ally in the Federation of the Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII). Speaking at the joint celebration of … Continue reading »

People protest move to amend Philippines Constitution

‘Shameless abuse of power’: Cory issues strongest message vs Con-ass By Christian V. Esguerra Philippine Daily Inquirer First Posted 01:37:00 06/11/2009 MANILA, Philippines—It was the strongest message former President Corazon Aquino has so far issued, and it was roundly applauded in the largest rally against moves to revise the Constitution in three years. Here we … Continue reading »

Philippine House of Representatives takes steps to amend Constitution

(Update) House OKs con-ass By CARMELA FONBUENA, abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak | 06/02/2009 10:20 PM After months of jockeying, the House of Representatives on Tuesday night approved House Resolution 1109 which will convene Congress into a constituent assembly (con-ass) and propose amendments to the 1987 Constitution, including changes that may prolong President Arroyo’s stay in power. In a … Continue reading »

“Independencia”: A brand new film about revolutionary Philippines

Ask for it. Watch it and share with others. A short and unrelated interview with Raya Martin, the director.

Funds for Ilocos Sur farmers said to have “no effect”

Tobacco fund not of much help to Ilocos Sur farmers By Aries C. Rufo, abs-cbnnews.com/Newsbreak | 05/07/2009 1:31 PM Send to friend (Last of two parts) CANDON, Ilocos Sur—From 1996 to 2008, the provincial government here received some P5.816 billion from the national government’s tobacco excise tax collection. But the likes of Cesar Despe, a … Continue reading »

Economy news: Philippine stocks up for a whole week

Marketing change: Will Filipinos buy it?

‘Ako Mismo’ is ‘Anong Taya Mo’ By Jose Ma. Montelibano, Philippine Daily inquirer First Posted 21:30:00 05/07/2009 Late last year, Gawad Kalinga issued the challenge, “Ano Ang Taya Mo”, as the twin rally cry to its earlier message of “Walang Iwanan.” Last Sunday, TV viewers who eagerly watched Manny Pacquiao demolish Ricky Hatton were treated … Continue reading »

How to ruin a great thing: Philippine politics and Pacquiao

Much ado about Pacquiao’s recent victory. In fact, it is inevitable that folks are now making him a national symbol of our pent-up potential as a people and as an excuse to air the various obstacles that keep us down. One recent op-ed piece by Amando Doronilla of the Philippine Daily Inquirer weighs in. . … Continue reading »

What if remittances were tied to voter responsibility at home?

Since we are all sick and tired of our incompetent political leaders in the Philippines, let’s hit them where it hurts — at the polls and in the new media. We — Filipinos in the diaspora — form an online community through feudart.com or other trustworthy sites that will serve as an online Political Action … Continue reading »

One of the places where we outsource Filipino employment

Over 200,000 jobs ready for Pinoys in Middle East Email this OASIS for OFWs. Despite the economic crisis crippling economies worldwide, Filipinos could still turn to the Middle East for work. AP photo MANILA, Philippines – Following consultations with President Arroyo and Philippine labor officials, top Middle East firms went on a “recruitment spree” following … Continue reading »

Video: The context for Filipino seamen and millions of other migrant workers

Filipino seamen and Somali pirates: Two sides of the same desperate economic life at home

Philippine govt: 122 Filipino seamen held by Somali pirates MANILA, April 15 (Xinhua) — The Philippine government said Wednesday that a total of 122 Filipino seafarers are being held by Somali pirates, following the hijacking of a Greek-owned ship with Filipino crew on Tuesday in the Gulf of Aden. MV Irene E.M. — the latest … Continue reading »

A case for basic civic education: Only 57% of Filipinos know the Philippine Constitution

Majority of Filipinos ‘know little’ about Constitution abs-cbnNEWS.com | 04/09/2009 2:39 PM Send to friend Changing the 1987 Constitution is one of the most contentious issues in the country today. But when asked how much they really knew about the Charter, Filipinos admit they know very little. The latest Pulse Asia survey showed that a … Continue reading »

Philippine legislators stop pushing for charter change

House drops Cha-Cha By BEN R. ROSARIO April 2, 2009, 7:46pm . Grim prospects of a resounding defeat in the 2010 national elections have prompted top officials of Lakas-CMD, the country’s most dominant political party, to give up the Charter Change (Cha-Cha) bid that is being espoused by its members in the House of Representatives. … Continue reading »

A case for healthcare reform in the Philippines

PHILIPPINES: Maternal mortality rates “not making sufficient progress” Photo: UNFPA Philippines Maternal mortality remains a key challenge for the Philippines MANILA, 24 March 2009 (IRIN) – Thousands of Filipino women continue to die due to complications related to childbirth, according to health specialists. A study by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), the State of the … Continue reading »

Protectionism rears ugly head amid global recession

Trade Barriers Rise as the Recession’s Grip Tightens By MARK LANDLER Published: March 22, 2009 WASHINGTON — After repeated pledges by world leaders to avoid erecting trade barriers, protectionism is on the march, provoking nasty trade disputes and undermining efforts to plot a coordinated response to the deepest global economic downturn since World War II. … Continue reading »

South East Asian consolidation???

16 senators vote for ratification of Asean charter By Aurea Calica Updated October 08, 2008 12:00 AM The Senate ratified the Charter of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) yesterday. Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. rejected the Charter on grounds that military-ruled Myanmar refuses to free pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Sixteen … Continue reading »