The recently formed Multisectoral Peace Coalition urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to reaffirm his administration’s commitment to the Bangsamoro peace process in his fifth State of the Nation Address (Sona) on July 27. It said such a statement from the President would send a strong signal that the Bangsamoro peace process remains a national priority...
Tag: State of the Nation Address
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Marcos Jr.’s Sona and great expectations
As many as 23,000 cops are to be deployed for security during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address on July 22. Maj. Gen. Jose Nartatez Jr., the chief of the National Capital Region Police Office, rejects criticisms of “overkill.” He mentions a number of protesters; it’s uncertain if the number includes those...
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The state of our nation
My students found it very difficult to identify two of the current administration’s notable accomplishments in public finance. I can appreciate their difficulties. The budgetary deficit in 2022 was a staggering P1.61 trillion, or 7.33% of GDP. Government spent P5.16 trillion last year but raised only P3.54 trillion in revenues. I cannot help but wonder why...