Action for Economic Reforms

𝐈𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐭 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐈𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲’𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐞

A new EU-ABC report on illicit to***co trade is being cited to support claims that higher to***co and v**e taxes fuel smuggling and illegal sales across ASEAN.

In this week’s Yellow Pad, Filomeno Sta. Ana III and Pia Rodrigo warns that this narrative is misleading,and increasingly being used to justify lowering v**e taxes in the Philippines. The real drivers of illicit trade are weak enforcement, regulatory loopholes, and poor oversight, not high tax rates. Read more at https://tinyurl.com/2p6jsh54

When the youth is the to***co industry’s target

The rise of the “v**edemic” among young Filipinos shows how far the to***co industry is willing to go at the expense of public health. Behind colorful marketing and flavored products is an industry that continues to profit from addiction while placing the health and future of Filipino youth at risk.

In this week’s Yellow Pad, Pia Rodrigo highlights the industry’s deceptive tactics and holding to***co companies accountable for the harm they continue to cause. Read more at https://tinyurl.com/ye27e7m9

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗜𝘀 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴

The return of PhilHealth’s diverted P60 billion marks a major victory for health advocates, but restoring the funds alone will not guarantee universal healthcare.

This week’s Yellow Pad, Pia Rodrigo argues that deeper reforms are still needed. From fully funding legally mandated premiums to ensuring Filipinos can actually access healthcare services on the ground. Read more at https://tinyurl.com/8fb2ue53

𝗡𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗳𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘆

The Philippines faces growing fiscal pressure, with rising debt and limited room to keep borrowing without long-term consequences.

This week’s Yellow Pad, Gage Andal and Pia Rodrigo makes the case for health taxes on to***co, alcohol, and sugary drinks as a practical way to generate revenue, reduce healthcare costs, and protect vulnerable Filipinos at the same time. Read more at https://tinyurl.com/37nvpne4

𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆

Political dynasties are not just about individual politicians, they are a system that sustains itself across generations. Beyond individual “good” or “bad” actors, the problem is structural. This calls for decisive reforms, including a law banning political dynasties.

This week’s Yellow Pad, Nathan Quimpo examines how dynasties persist by preserving power within families, enabling political comebacks, and using name recall to maintain dominance. Read more at https://tinyurl.com/2uefcskz

Put People Over Politics in Health

In the Philippines, existing policies and systems limit access to healthcare, allowing only a select few to benefit while many are left behind. When public funds are not distributed equitably, healthcare becomes a matter of discretion rather than a right.

In this week’s Yellow Pad, Dr. Jeepy Perez highlights how weak policy design and poor accountability shape these realities. He calls for just policies that place equity, transparency, and public health at the center—ensuring that no Filipino is denied care because of political choices.

Read more: https://tinyurl.com/mrphjeuj

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐍𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞

Universities are increasingly judged by rankings, citations, and performance metrics — but what gets measured is not always what matters most.

This week’s Yellow Pad, Fidel Nemenzo warns that the growing obsession with rankings is reshaping higher education into a competitive enterprise, often at the expense of academic freedom, public service, and locally grounded knowledge. Read more at https://tinyurl.com/3ejfff3a

Solving the Oil Crisis: Targeted Relief, Not Tax Breaks

With fuel prices surging due to global shocks and import dependence, the lesson from COVID-19 is clear: we must strategically and efficiently use public revenues to provide immediate relief for those most affected.

As government is forced to spend more and thus increase borrowing, it must also find ways to solve the already-immense fiscal strain.

In this week’s Yellow Pad, Men Sta. Ana reflects on the parallels between today’s fuel crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, and the solutions for the worsening fiscal deficit. Read more at https://tinyurl.com/3f8xfeva

When the Middle East Burns, Filipino Families Feel it

For many Filipino families, survival depends on a fragile balance: a small negosyo at home and a loved one sending money from afar. When prices rise and remittances become uncertain, that balance begins to break.

This week’s Yellow Pad brings the crisis closer to home — showing how global conflict can deepen the everyday struggle of families already stretched by inflation, past shocks, and thin household budgets. Read more at https://tinyurl.com/5bvevxaj