Another crisis: the budget
Does the budget document that survived the bicam reflect the priorities in the PDP? That is really the question we should ask.
Resurrect — and pass — Mar Roxas’ bill
Whatever happened to the “peace on earth, goodwill to men” atmosphere that used to reign during the Christmas holidays? The bickering and infighting are at full blast, and we have only three days left until Jesus’ birthday.
Economic challenges in the 2nd year of the Duterte government
In Duterte’s time, and reading into plans to spend more for infrastructure and other social programs, the fiscal deficit is likely to worsen.
Government “underspending” in perspective: Incompetence, inertia, or indigestion?
The measured underspending over the last 5 years has more to do with ambitious targets rather than apathetic or incompetent bureaucrats.
The first Duterte budget proposal, priorities, and economic reforms
Last week, the Duterte administration submitted its first budget proposal for enactment by Congress. Aside from providing for the day to day business of the government as an institution, the budget does not disappoint in outlining the new directions and programs of the new administration.
Is the budget a tool for development, political patronage, or political vindictiveness?
The national budget is a tool for development. But as the saying goes: the test of the pudding is in the eating. What President Aquino did and didn’t do, and their policy consequences, will define his budget performance.
Aquino government caught in the inaction zone
On the eve of Mr. Aquino’s exit from Malacañang, it can now be told: the contribution of government to the economic expansion in the last 5 years is nil if not negative.
Underspending: a bad habit that’s hard to break
The recently released budget numbers showed an administration that’s having a hard time breaking a bad habit: underspending. Not surprisingly, the release of the 2015 fiscal numbers was delayed.
The ABCs of budget preparation and execution
The recent case of Grace Poe ripped the Supreme Court into two camps. Though the court had decided to let her run for president, it was a close call.
Where has the P260-billion government spending for agriculture gone?
Citizens have the right to know where the P260 billion the Aquino III administration spent for agriculture between 2011 and 2015 went. With that kind of money, what has the administration done for the agriculture sector in general and for the farmers and Filipino consumers in particular?
What’s wrong with the 2016 budget?
The underspending of the Aquino administration is legendary. For the last five years, it has missed its spending targets by a mile.
Old habits die hard
The outgoing Aquino III administration has the bad habit of underspending what Congress has authorized it to spend. ... From the looks of it, the fiscal year will close with much more serious underspending.
