Tag: Fiscal Transparency
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Withheld tobacco tax shares cripple Luzon agriculture: A regional crisis in Ilocos
Overview: A promise broken and livelihoods at stake The Luzon region, particularly Ilocos, has long been a bedrock of support for national agricultural policy and political alignment. Yet billions of pesos in tobacco tax shares slated for farmers from 2023 through 2025 remain unreleased, creating a chain reaction of hardship from field to market. The…
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Imee: 2026 Budget Sneakiest, Not the Cleanest Ever
Overview: A Budget With Hidden Corners The 2026 national budget, tallied at about P6.793 trillion, has sparked debate across political lines in Manila. Critics say the document contains “sneaky” allocations—unprogrammed appropriations (UA) that are not yet backed by available funds. Supporters argue that UA items are temporary placeholders, a normal part of budgetary process designed…