Senators' election plans bog down Trabaho bill – think tank

The Action for Economic Reforms says Senator Sonny Angara can pass on the Trabaho bill to other lawmakers if he fears the measure will hurt his reelection bid

Gov't panel prepares for resumption of talks with communist rebels

Government peace negotiators have reached out to their counterparts in the National Democratic Front and scheduled meetings to discuss conditions set by President Rodrigo Duterte

Citizen advocates raise issues in FOI rollout

The Right to Know Right Now Coalition also reiterates its call for the passage of a Freedom of Information Law

The PH economy under Duterte’s watch (Year 1)

Only time will tell the impact of such sweeping policies on growth inflation and unemployment But before they cause any irreversible damage to our economy their rationale and effectiveness should not escape scrutiny today

What Duterte development plan ignores: Local industry, accessible social services

Under the Philippine Development Plan 2017 2022 PH s agriculture and mining industry cater to foreign economies while its people look for jobs abroad according to IBON Foundation

Gov't, Reds fast-track difficult talks on free land distribution

Communist rebels say they will only agree to implement an interim joint ceasefire after talks on the Comprehensive Agreement on Socio Economic Reforms are completed

#ThewRap: Things you need to know, January 31, 2017

Hello Here s a round up of news you need to know this Tuesday

PH, NDF talks: Both sides need to make painful compromises

Government and NDF negotiators begin talks on CASER the heart and soul of the peace process that seeks to draw a roadmap to address widespread poverty in the Philippines

Health advocates: Pressure needed to stop 'weak' cigarette tax bill

Those who oppose the proposed two tier excise tax structure on cigarettes urge Filipinos to rally behind a unitary tax rate of P40 by 2018

PH, NDF talks hit a snag but camps remain committed

The NDF hits the delay in the grant of general amnesty to political prisoners and blocks government inputs in the outline of socioeconomic reforms

Marcos, Escudero, Honasan, 2 Senate bets 'anti-health'

Health advocacy groups that lobbied for the passage of the sin tax law warn against top leaders who chose to favor the vested interests of a few over protecting public interest

Argentine unions to lead protest against president

Unions say 100 000 workers have lost their jobs in the public and private sectors since Mauricio Macri took office

Expanding PhilHealth benefits: Where will presidential bets get the money?

PhilHealth President Alex Padilla welcomes proposals to expand benefits but he says revenues from the sin tax law alone won t be able to sustain these promises

Adjusting fuel tax to inflation could net PH P20B

While the measure would raise fuel prices it could have the same effect on traffic as the sin tax has had on health says the Action for Economic Reforms Group

2016 VP race, PH economic reforms, Maria Sharapova | 12PM wRap

Watch Rappler’s 12PM newscast with Maria Ressa

S&P: Change in PH leadership unlikely to reverse economic reforms

The credit rating agency and local and US based business leaders express confidence the country s next leaders will not disrupt economic momentum

5th Arangkada forum: Bolder, inclusive reforms for the PH economy

The forum will be held at the Marriott Grand Ballroom on Tuesday March 1

FOI bill: Marred by misconceptions

How can the public trust a government that cannot provide clear procedures for citizens to know what their government is up to?

Jokowi's trip to US aims to change Indonesia's corrupt image

They are hoping the visit sends the message that the restrictive and unfriendly regulatory environment is changing in Indonesia

Steve Forbes: 'America wants a can-do guy'

Donald Trump is so popular because this is a guy who shake things and make things happen the former presidential candidate and Forbes Media chairman says

NPA claims seizing 74 firearms from Comval mayor

The NPA punished Mayor Brillantes for his overt participation in the commission of various crimes against the people in the furtherance of his economic and political interest in Monkayo an NPA spokesperson says

‘Institutionalize economic reforms before Aquino steps down’

With the Aquino administration on its homestretch a long term strategy that draws more investment to diversify the economy is needed the Joint Foreign Chambers of the Philippines says at the 4th Arangkada Forum

Business groups urge Aquino to act on 8-point economic reform

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry asks Aquino to focus on pressing matters like the 2015 energy crisis port congestion and ASEAN integration

Aquino: Philippines ‘more open for business’

In his 5th SONA the President urges his ‘bosses’ – the Filipino people – to choose a successor who will continue the economic reforms of his administration

World Bank ready to provide $3B aid to Ukraine

Aquino: Yolanda rehab is top priority

The President says rehabilitating Yolanda ravaged areas is aligned with the administration s plans to sustain Philippine economic reforms

An odd coalition to fight joblessness

How come unemployment is rising despite the high economic growth rate and favorable policy reforms?

Health advocates hail shutdown of Mighty cigarette warehouse

Mighty has been accused of lowering the prices of its cigarettes through technical smuggling

A year of sin tax: More work ahead

Even with an increase in excise taxes since the sin tax law was enacted the country s cigarette and tobacco prices are still among the lowest in the world

Ukraine bankrupt without 'historic' Moscow deal – PM

Ukraine said its prime minister couldn t have signed the shelved pact with EU as it would mean unfeasibly stringent IMF conditions for economic reform

Biz groups to gov't: Enact more economic reform bills

Business groups say the passage of bills on customs modernization and rationalization of fiscal incentives among others are crucial to sustaining economic growth

Anti-tobacco group demands Recto's resignation

The Action for Economic Reforms says Recto defied the Aquino administration s reform agenda by endorsing a watered down version of the sin tax bill

Higher cigarette taxes: A promise compromised?

House Bill 5727 had sought to replace the 4 tiered system of taxing tobacco and alcohol with a unitary one but it was watered down