Institutions - Page 133

US Military Presence in the Asia Pacific

The United States continues to be the world’s top military spender. It spent USD 877 billion in 2022, surpassing the military expenditures of the succeeding ten countries combined (SIPRI, 2022). The billions of dollars are spent on producing war materiel, investing in

July 26, 2023

Agriculture·Economy·Institutions

Agriculture weakened despite capital inflows in sector

Charter change advocates in Congress claim changing the constitution to favor foreign direct investment (FDI) will develop the economy. Yet while foreign capital poured into the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sector over the years, its share in the economy has plunged. The

March 23, 2023

Economy·Institutions

Trade deficit worsened as FDI increased

Charter change advocates hype FDI as a way to strengthen the economy, particularly the manufacturing sector. Manufacturing already overwhelmingly dominates the country’s exports. However, in the absence of Filipino industrialization, FDI dominates domestic manufacturing. Foreign manufacturers and foreign investors in general have

March 23, 2023

Economy·Employment·Institutions·Labor

Job creation weakened despite rapid FDI growth

One of the key arguments of charter change proponents is that liberalizing the economy to FDI will create more jobs. But job creation has actually weakened even as foreign direct investment inflows increased. In the past two decades, annual FDI inflows increased

March 23, 2023

Economy·Employment·Institutions·Labor

Unemployment worsened even with more foreign investment

Proponents of charter change insist that more FDI from changing the Constitution’s economic provisions will create job opportunities and decrease unemployment. Has unemployment decreased as FDI increased? Annual FDI inflows increased from an average of US$1.6 billion annually in the decade 2000-2009

March 23, 2023

Institutions

‘Jollibee’ 44th Anniversary Lucky Draw is FAKE

Another scam is targeting netizens, this time claiming fast food giant Jollibee is hosting a “lucky draw” for P7,000 in line with its “44th anniversary.” The links, circulating on Facebook (FB) and FB Messenger, lead to bogus websites. VERA Files Fact Check

March 23, 2023

Economy·Institutions·People

Millions of Filipinos still poor despite foreign investments

Some politicians claim that more FDI after charter change will reduce poverty. However, poverty has stayed high over the years of increasing FDI. Annual FDI flows have been increasing and especially rapidly after 2010 to reach historic highs. In the past two

March 23, 2023

Institutions

Videos of Jesus Christ appearing in the sky are FAKE

Two Facebook (FB) reels claiming that God has appeared to mankind though an image of Jesus Christ behind the clouds has gone viral two weeks ahead of Holy Week. These are fake. On March 17, an FB user published the short video

March 23, 2023

Institutions

ICC lets victims participate in appeal proceedings of drug probe, denies PH access to their identities

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has allowed alleged victims of the drug war under the Duterte administration to present their views on the government’s opposition to the resumption of the tribunal’s investigation into the bloody campaign. In a statement issued on March

March 23, 2023

Institutions

Claim on 200 Chinese militia vessels in WPS, U.S. action vs China MISLEADS

A video posted on YouTube and Facebook (FB) presented as “breaking news” footage of the alleged presence of 200 Chinese militia vessels in the West Philippine Sea and actions taken by the United States’ (U.S.) against the threat. This is misleading. The

March 23, 2023

Environment·Feature·Health·Institutions·People

The Filipino People’s Water Code

Water is life. More than anything else, people need water to survive physically. Further, people need water for a better quality of life – for sanitation, food production, production of basic needs, leisure, and more. The Philippines has abundant water resources, much

March 23, 2023