Contact Details

Rm. N-411, House of Representatives, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
+63 2 931 5497, +63 2 931 5001 local 7370

Press Statements

It is not enough for the Duterte administration to vow swift justice for slain Albay broadcaster Joey Llana.

It is also urgent for the government to immediately dismantle the growing culture of violence and impunity which emboldens assassins to murder journalists, local politicians, priests and ordinary citizens.

Knee-jerk reactions are mere ritual responses.

What is necessary is a complete overhaul of the administration’s policies on crime prevention, adherence to due process and disavowal of violence and impunity.

 

EDCEL C. LAGMAN

Press Statements

The creation of a Federal Transition Commission is a devious innovation by Duterte’s consultative committee to assure the transition of President Rodrigo Duterte as the first Federal President since he is not prohibited from running in the first elections set on the 2ndMonday of May 2022.

Unlike in the 1935, 1973 and 1987 Constitutions where the transitory provisions were self-implementing and the mode of transition categorically spelled out, the proposed Federal Constitution empowers Duterte to chair a transition commission whose members are to be appointed by him.

Press Statements

While the Federal Constitution drafted by the Consultative Committee does not extend the term of President Rodrigo Duterte beyond June 30, 2022, it does not, however, prohibit Duterte from running for President in the first elections under the proposed Federal Constitution on May 2, 2022.

Allowing Duterte to run for President in 2022 gives him the opportunity to virtually extend his term not only for four years but for eight years.

Press Statements

While the 5.2% inflation rate in June is alarming enough, it is still an understatement of the severity of the Philippine inflation.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), of the consumer goods and services included in the consumer measure, the most essential items on food and non-alcoholic beverages registered an even higher inflation rate of 6.1%.

Press Statements

Apologists for President Rodrigo Duterte have errantly minimized as “not alarming” the impact of the inordinately high 5.2% inflation rate in June.

Inflation rate over 2.0% is always problematic because it stifles the economy even as the already low purchasing power of the poor is further eroded as prices of goods and services, particularly the basic items, continue to skyrocket.

Higher inflation is one of the prime barometers of the economy as it negates growth, devalues the people’s savings both in banks and private vaults, weakens investments, depresses foreign exchange, increases debt service, and reduces the real value of wages.