Rappler's latest stories on Philippine governance
[OPINION] The myth of the 'pa-seminar' in the Philippines
'Seminars are great morale boosters but fail to create lasting change. Participants are likely to remember how lackluster the speaker was, how many punchlines he delivered, or how picturesque the venue was, but not the goals of the program.'
[OPINION] Harry’s rapture and the pandemic in our political leadership
'Here, dear Brutus, is where the fault lies – the quality of politicians we elect to office'
[OPINION] The perils of government procurement in the pandemic
'Without having to go through the process of competitive public bidding, the dangers of corruption, overpricing, and counterfeit goods will just be a door knock away'
[OPINION] Citizen-blaming: The discipline rhetoric is a trick
'How the Duterte regime has managed to sell this deceitful rhetoric of discipline – this belief that our plight as Filipinos is primarily caused by our disobedience to authority – is worth mulling over'
[ANALYSIS] The right to call the government crazy
Voicing your exasperation over the government and its officials – even in impolite language – is constitutionally protected
[OPINION] An intergovernmental tug of war during the coronavirus outbreak
'There is a reason why Philippine law assigns the main responsibility for disaster response to local governments'
Duterte says he'll sell gov't assets to pay coronavirus loans
President Rodrigo Duterte says the move will be his last resort if the government runs out of money to pay off loans and fund programs to respond to the coronavirus outbreak
Ex-Maguindanao budget officer sentenced to 8 years in prison for corruption
The Sandiganbayan finds the former provincial budget officer guilty of facilitating the payment of a P14-million procurement from a nonexistent pharmacy
Gov't spends big in December, lifting 2019 expenditures above target
The Philippines' 2019 GDP growth is likely to be revised upward, given the higher-than-expected government spending in December
Duterte grants gratuity pay for job order, contractual government workers
Workers with at least 4 months of 'satisfactory performance' and whose contracts remain in effect may receive as much as P3,000
Duterte signs law increasing government workers' pay
President Rodrigo Duterte's signing of the Salary Standardization Law will see salary schedules of government workers increased in 4 tranches starting 2020 until 2023
Is the salary increase for teachers, gov't workers enough?
(UPDATED) With nearly a million teachers nationwide, a salary increase for them would already entail big sums of money, according to some government officials
Search for 2020 Outstanding Government Workers opens
PRESS RELEASE: The deadline of nomination is on March 31, 2020
Bill increasing pay for gov't workers starting 2020 now up for Duterte's signature
(UPDATED) If passed into law, the House bill would also require government offices to grant employees a mid-year bonus equivalent to a month's basic salary as of May 15 of the given year
Duterte certifies as urgent pay hike for teachers, other gov't workers
(UPDATED) President Rodrigo Duterte asks Congress to fast-track a measure that would raise the salary of public school teachers by 20% to 30%
Senate panels push for salary hike for gov't workers
Under Senate Bill 1219, the highest increases ranging from 20% to 30% will be given to government employees, usually teachers, under Salary Grade 10 to 15
Instead of bidding, COA chief wants shopping portal for common supplies
'The focus has really been more on accountability. But has this greater focus on accountability achieved its purpose?' says audit chairman Michael Aguinaldo
Senate approves bill granting night pay to gov't workers
Senate Bill No. 643, which proposes to grant additional pay to all government employees who work beyond regular hours, is approved on final reading
Duterte wants gov't projects awarded to contractors with 'most responsive, advantageous bid'
President Rodrigo Duterte wants to amend the Government Procurement Reform Act to erase the requirement that projects must go to the lowest qualified bidder
[OPINYON] Pilipinas, anyare?
Dapat nang intindihin na ang galit natin sa kahirapan at kriminalidad ay hindi dapat ipagamit sa kanino man upang pag-awayin tayo. Sa halip, ang galit ay dapat maging dahilan ng sama-samang paghahanap ng mga solusyon.
Poe says fisherfolk need to receive fuel subsidy from gov't
If there is Pantawid Pasada program for jeepney drivers, reelectionist senator Grace Poe says there should also be 'Pantawid Pambangka' program
Duterte orders review of 'onerous' gov't contracts with private firms
The Chief Executive orders the review after telling Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra and Solicitor General Jose Calida to 'study' the Maynilad arbitration case against the government
[OPINION] Abolishing term limits will entrench dynasties
Simply removing term limits at this point will secure the political foothold of many already fat political dynasties
Duterte EO bars junkets, limits business-class travel for gov’t officials
Executive Order No. 77 also prohibits officials from going on trips sponsored by suppliers and contractors that their agencies deal with
Duterte EO allows 2019 salary hike for gov't workers despite reenacted budget
The funds for the 4th tranche of salary adjustment for government personnel will be sourced from any available appropriations under the 2018 budget
Duterte ends designation of gov't peace panel members
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III's designation as government peace panel chair ends more than a year after the formal scrapping of peace talks with the Left
DBM to Malacañang: Amend salary hike EO if budget impasse continues
'With this measure, the long overdue compensation hike that our public servants have been looking forward to can finally be granted,' the DBM says
[OPINION] Who should be the next budget secretary?
For the sake of policy continuity, it would be best for the DBM to be led by a technocrat and not a politician
Up to voters if candidates' honesty matters to them – Malacañang
(UPDATED) Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo refuses to state Malacañang's position on the issue of honesty among elected officials, claiming it might be seen as campaigning for or against some candidates
[EDITORIAL] #AnimatED: Baka kayo na ang susunod
Sa bawat kaso, sa bawat panggigipit, higit na nagiging malinaw kung bakit ginagawa ang mga ito
[OPINION] Term limits: Should we abolish them?
Tinkering with the formal rules isn’t nearly enough to see lasting political reforms. We need to revamp as well the informal norms that pervade our political culture.
DBM to study gov't workers' salary hike for 2020 to 2022
'There will be a salary increase. It is not just a possibility,' says Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno
Malacañang suspends gov't work on December 26
The announcement follows the one suspending government work on January 2, 2019
Malacañang suspends gov't work on January 2, 2019
The Palace says the suspension would give government employees 'full opportunity to celebrate...with their families and loved ones'
How high inflation exposed cracks in governance
High, soaring, elevated, skyrocketing. We're running out of synonyms to describe inflation in 2018.
FALSE: ‘No law’ prevents gov’t officials from participating in businesses
The provision in the 1973 Constitution that prohibits government officials from practicing their profession or participating in businesses was even strengthened in the 1987 Constitution
Government contractuals get 2-year job extension
Starting January 1, 2019, the salaries of contract of service and job order workers will be equivalent to what others in comparable positions in government are getting, says the DBM
Infrastructure continues to boost gov't spending in August 2018
Bulk of infrastructure and capital outlay disbursement in August goes to public works and military communication equipment
Government to cut projects over 2019 fuel tax hike suspension
Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno says non-infrastructure projects will be the first in line to be reviewed for postponement
[OPINION] Are all government employees not allowed to campaign?
The prohibitions are not absolute.... The consistent trend of the Supreme Court is to uphold free speech and expression over any form of election regulation.
DOCUMENTS: Calida security firm 'corners' at least 16 gov't contracts
In a privilege speech, opposition Senator Antonio Trillanes IV says Solicitor General Jose Calida's security agency has acquired at least P358.3 million in government contracts since 2016
Anti-terrorism law weak, Senate wants longer surveillance, detention of suspects
Proposed amendments to the Human Security Act include increasing surveillance to at least 90 days and detention to at least 30 days for 'suspected terrorists'
More than 7,000 vacancies to be offered at CSC’s Government Job Fair
PRESS RELEASE: The Government Job Fair will be held September 26-27, 2018 at SM City North EDSA Skydome, Quezon City
Delayed projects cost government P230 million in penalty fees in 2017
On top of the millions in penalties, auditors doubt that the 17 projects will be completed within the loan period
Contractual DOTr workers to be renewed after December 2018 deadline
The Department of Transportation earlier asked to be exempt from renewing the services of its contractual employees
Gov't spending peaks by 34% to P328.1 billion in July 2018
'We maintain our projection that underspending will be eliminated under our watch,' says Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno
PH gov't asks Xiamen Air to pay over NAIA mishap
The total cost of the fine has yet to be determined
Has resiliency been used as an excuse for government shortcomings?
Bragging about resiliency is not bad at all, but netizens challenge Filipinos to push the government to come up with long-term fixes to flooding
Expand Train law subsidies for poor in 2019 budget
Senator Paolo Benigno Aquino IV says those who need subsidy exceed the 10 million projected under the budget department
Gov't fiscal deficit narrows to P193 billion mid-2018
Despite lower fiscal deficit, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno says that disbursements for the half of the year surpassed programmed expenditure
