Isn’t corruption stupid? The Philippines’ central problem isn’t simply that rules are broken. It’s that the economy produces too little of what Filipinos need, that jobs and incomes are inadequate, and that this is all becaus...

The Marcos Jr administration and its economic managers blame corruption for the growth slowdown.

All the country lacks it seems, is “good governance”. The argument seems compelling, but are decency and good intentions really all we need?

#IBONBirdtalk #PeopleEconomics

www.ibon.org/isnt-corrupt...

Harvesting pork, not rural development: The 2026 agriculture budget examined [FEATURES] A closer look reveals that agricultural budget is not pork-free.

A closer look reveals that the 2026 agricultural budget is not pork-free and insufficient to meaningfully improve food security and rural livelihoods.

#IBONBirdtalk #PeopleEconomics

www.ibon.org/pork-not-rur...

Most of the Marcos Jr administration's massive borrowing did not go to development or easing people's lives.

#IBONBirdtalk #PeopleEconomics

Since taking office, the Marcos Jr administration's outstanding debt has ballooned by 38%. The average monthly increase in outstanding debt under Marcos surpasses that of previous administrations.

Hi-res: ibon.org/marcos-borrowing-ao-2511/

#IBONBirdtalk #PeopleEconomics

The national government outstanding debt under Marcos Jr is now over Php17.6 trillion, or more than Php642,000 per family.

Hi-res: ibon.org/ng-debt-ao-2511/

#IBONBirdtalk #PeopleEconomics

Amid the Marcos Jr government’s anti-corruption posture, public pressure influenced the 2026 budget with some reallocation. However, this was not according to any national development strategy or sustained socioeconomic transformation.

#IBONBirdtalk #PeopleEconomics

Weak Leadership, Worsening Economy, Rising Stakes [FEATURES] 2026 could be the year Filipinos turn frustration into action and reshape the political landscape.

The country stands at a crossroads in 2026.

#IBONBirdtalk #PeopleEconomics

www.ibon.org/weak-leaders...

"The Philippines is being economically bullied and our officials are responding with supplication. Subservience isn’t strategy – sovereignty is."

#IBONBirdtalk #TrumpTariffs #PeopleEconomics #MarcosMidterm #StriveForSovereigntyAndIndependence

On Trump tariff hikes: PH subservience is not strategy Subservience isn’t strategy—sovereignty is. A government that charts an independent economic path for the Philippines is long overdue.

Instead of defending Filipino producers the Marcos Jr admin is still focused on projecting a “competitive and investor-friendly business environment” even if it means conceding more ground to US bullying and self-interest.

www.ibon.org/on-trump-tar...

#IBONBirdtalk #TrumpTariffs #MarcosMidterm

Healthy labor market? Over 2M increase in poorly paid Filipinos says otherwise - IBON May 2025 labor force figures do not show decent jobs being created, but a deepening jobs crisis marked by rising informality, falling job quality, and stagnant wages.

A truly healthy labor market can only come from bold economic measures spurring local agricultural development and long-term Filipino industrialization.

ibon.org/over-2m-increase-in-poorly-paid-filipinos

#IBONBirdtalk #PeopleEconomics

Healthy labor market? Over 2M increase in poorly paid Filipinos says otherwise - IBON May 2025 labor force figures do not show decent jobs being created, but a deepening jobs crisis marked by rising informality, falling job quality, and stagnant wages.

Millions of Filipinos forced into low-paid, precarious work just to survive is not labor market strength but a sign of economic failure.

ibon.org/over-2m-increase-in-poorly-paid-filipinos

#IBONBirdtalk #PeopleEconomics

Healthy labor market? Over 2M increase in poorly paid Filipinos says otherwise - IBON May 2025 labor force figures do not show decent jobs being created, but a deepening jobs crisis marked by rising informality, falling job quality, and stagnant wages.

The Marcos admin’s projection of a healthy and competitive labor market is an attempt to mask its failure to address worsening informality and low earnings in what is really an increasingly ailing labor market.

ibon.org/over-2m-increase-in-poorly-paid-filipinos

#IBONBirdtalk #PeopleEconomics

Healthy labor market? Over 2M increase in poorly paid Filipinos says otherwise - IBON May 2025 labor force figures do not show decent jobs being created, but a deepening jobs crisis marked by rising informality, falling job quality, and stagnant wages.

Including those working in informal establishments would add at least another 17 million more to those in informal work.

ibon.org/over-2m-increase-in-poorly-paid-filipinos

#IBONBirdtalk #PeopleEconomics

Healthy labor market? Over 2M increase in poorly paid Filipinos says otherwise - IBON May 2025 labor force figures do not show decent jobs being created, but a deepening jobs crisis marked by rising informality, falling job quality, and stagnant wages.

Overall, IBON estimates that visibly informal work increased by 742K to reach 21.2M in May 2025. This includes the self-employed, private household workers, and those employed in family-operated farm or business.

ibon.org/over-2m-increase-in-poorly-paid-filipinos

#IBONBirdtalk #PeopleEconomics

Healthy labor market? Over 2M increase in poorly paid Filipinos says otherwise - IBON May 2025 labor force figures do not show decent jobs being created, but a deepening jobs crisis marked by rising informality, falling job quality, and stagnant wages.

This figure would be even higher if everyone unsatisfied with their current pay but discouraged from finding additional work by poor job prospects are also counted.

ibon.org/over-2m-increase-in-poorly-paid-filipinos

#IBONBirdtalk #PeopleEconomics

Healthy labor market? Over 2M increase in poorly paid Filipinos says otherwise - IBON May 2025 labor force figures do not show decent jobs being created, but a deepening jobs crisis marked by rising informality, falling job quality, and stagnant wages.

There are other indications of increasing job scarcity. The underemployment rate surged to 13.1% from a huge 1.8 million increase in underemployed workers now totaling 6.6 million.

ibon.org/over-2m-increase-in-poorly-paid-filipinos

#IBONBirdtalk #PeopleEconomics

Healthy labor market? Over 2M increase in poorly paid Filipinos says otherwise - IBON May 2025 labor force figures do not show decent jobs being created, but a deepening jobs crisis marked by rising informality, falling job quality, and stagnant wages.

Taking the labor force survey more completely, it becomes clear that more and more Filipinos are striving to get by on increasingly informal or poor-quality work.

ibon.org/over-2m-increase-in-poorly-paid-filipinos

#IBONBirdtalk #PeopleEconomics

Healthy labor market? Over 2M increase in poorly paid Filipinos says otherwise - IBON May 2025 labor force figures do not show decent jobs being created, but a deepening jobs crisis marked by rising informality, falling job quality, and stagnant wages.

The increase in labor force participation hyped by the government just reflects more household members being pushed to actively seek work due to low family incomes and rising living costs.

ibon.org/over-2m-increase-in-poorly-paid-filipinos

#IBONBirdtalk #PeopleEconomics

Healthy labor market? Over 2M increase in poorly paid Filipinos says otherwise - IBON May 2025 labor force figures do not show decent jobs being created, but a deepening jobs crisis marked by rising informality, falling job quality, and stagnant wages.

In May 2025, labor force participation grew by 1.35M, while employment increased by 1.42M. Unemployment slightly declined by 71K. However, selectively looking at just these figures does not tell the whole story.

ibon.org/over-2m-increase-in-poorly-paid-filipinos

#IBONBirdtalk #PeopleEconomics

Healthy labor market? Over 2M increase in poorly paid Filipinos says otherwise - IBON May 2025 labor force figures do not show decent jobs being created, but a deepening jobs crisis marked by rising informality, falling job quality, and stagnant wages.

ICYMI: ibon.org/over-2m-increase-in-poorly-paid-filipinos

The significant rise in Filipino workers stuck in low-quality jobs or seeking additional work or income exposes the Marcos Jr admin’s claims of a healthy and competitive labor market as a dangerous fiction.

#IBONBirdtalk #PeopleEconomics

"Millions of Filipinos have 'jobs' that don't pay enough or don't pay at all. That isn't employment but poverty in disguise."

#SahodItaas #IBONBirdtalk #PeopleEconomics

In the NCR, the Php645 minimum wage is only 53% of the Php1,220 FLW that a family of five needs to live decently.

Hi-res: ibon.org/flw-ncr-2506

#IBONBirdtalk #SahodItaas #PeopleEconomics #MarcosMidterm

Across all regions, the average nominal minimum wage is just Php475 or 39% of the estimated Php1,217 average family living wage.

Hi-res: ibon.org/flw-regl-2506

#IBONBirdtalk #SahodItaas #PeopleEconomics #MarcosMidterm

Filipinos' wages remain low and can't keep up with high prices – especially of food.

Hi-res: ibon.org/prices-wages-ncr-2506

#IBONBirdtalk #SahodItaasPresyoIbaba #MarcosMidterm #PeopleEconomics

Php50 NCR wage hike token giveaway, not enough for Filipinos’ basic needs — IBON NEWS The Marcos Jr administration on its 3rd year is using token wage hikes as a giveaway to boost its image, not to give much-needed relief to struggling Filipino workers.

The Marcos govt is using measly wage hikes to project itself as benevolent, while protecting big business profits. The people’s demand for substantial wage hikes should not be diminished into a publicity stunt.

#SahodItaas #IBONBirdtalk #MarcosMidterm

ibon.org/php50-ncr-wage-hike-token

The Php50 minimum wage hike is also not as large as it seems. The latest wage hike only increases the real value of the minimum wage by Php40.

#SahodItaas #IBONBirdtalk #MarcosMidterm

But as with previous increases, the impending Php50 wage hike is far below what’s needed to reach the family living wage in the region.

#SahodItaas #IBONBirdtalk #MarcosMidterm

Amid the clamor for a substantial wage hike, the government conveniently timed its approval of a measly wage increase in the NCR to coincide with the administration’s inauguration anniversary.

#SahodItaas #IBONBirdtalk #MarcosMidterm

Php50 NCR wage hike token giveaway, not enough for Filipinos’ basic needs — IBON NEWS The Marcos Jr administration on its 3rd year is using token wage hikes as a giveaway to boost its image, not to give much-needed relief to struggling Filipino workers.

Marking the third year of its inauguration, the Marcos Jr administration is using token wage hikes as an anniversary giveaway to boost its image, not to give much-needed relief to struggling Filipino workers.

#SahodItaas #IBONBirdtalk #MarcosMidterm

ibon.org/php50-ncr-wage-hike-token

"The tokenistic Php50 NCR wage hike still leaves workers over Php500 short of a family living wage."

#PeopleEconomics #SahodItaas #IBONBirdtalk