The shameful pork barrel politics: How taxpayer money is being squandered

The administration’s allocation of nearly one-fifth of the national budget to pork barrel projects over the past three years, as cited by a watchdog, is a blatant disregard of the pressing needs of the Filipino people. This staggering sum, totaling P2.077 trillion from 2023 to 2025, represents a shocking misallocation of resources, diverting funds desperately needed for crucial national development initiatives. As highlighted by Institute for Leadership, Empowerment and Democracy Executive Director Zyza Nadine Suzara, this prioritization of pork barrel spending comes at the expense of addressing critical issues such as learning poverty, inadequate support for farmers and fisherfolk, widespread poverty, and limited healthcare access. (Read the BusinessMirror story: “Nearly a fifth of national government budget went to pork barrel,” January 29, 2025).

The alarming rise of mercury-laced cosmetics in PHL

businessmirror.com.ph - 29/Jan 16:06

The recent discovery of mercury-tainted skin-lightening products, manufactured in Thailand and sold in the Philippines, underscores a disturbing...

The PNCR/APNU/AFC’s legacy of failure versus the PPP/C’s record of delivering for the people

guyanachronicle.com - 13:16

Dear Editor, As we approach the General and Regional Elections later this year, the PNCR/APNU/AFC is once again presenting themselves before the...

EDITORIAL - Abuse of power

philstar.com - 22/Jan 16:00

With the start of 2025, President Marcos has been issuing orders to restore funding for various programs and projects that were cut by Congress and...

China Coast Guard presence near Zambales reaches a month

philstar.com - 03/Feb 10:41

China Coast Guard vessels have prowled the waters off Zambales for 30 consecutive days — behavior that the Philippine Coast Guard says is proof of...

New BFAR chief appointment get nod of fisherfolk groups, LGUs

philstar.com - 30/Jan 05:00

Various fisherfolk cooperatives and local government units that are home to big fishing communities welcomed the appointment of Elizer Salilig as...

Fisherfolk cooperatives, LGUs say pro-fisheries BFAR chief good for sector

businessmirror.com.ph - 30/Jan 23:29

Various fisherfolk cooperatives and local government units, which are home to big fishing communities, welcomed the appointment Elizer Salilig as...

Budget 2025 is a progressive fiscal plan – MP Ramsaran

guyanachronicle.com - 30/Jan 08:35

MEMBER of Parliament Dr Bheri Ramsaran has lauded the $1.382 trillion 2025 budget as an innovative and supportive fiscal plan, describing it as...

‘Friends of the Court’ see new pork barrel scheme, breach of Constitution in transfer of P89.9-B excess funds of PhilHealth to national treasury

businessmirror.com.ph - 13:48

SEVERAL amici curiae or “friends of the Court” told the Supreme Court (SC) of a possible violation of the provisions of Constitution in the...

NEC LEKGOTLA: Water security, the economy and fragile GNU under spotlight at ANC indaba

daily maverick - 26/Jan 21:31

The ANC’s annual lekgotla over the weekend proposed practical solutions for achieving an inclusive economy, reducing poverty and improving local...

Confusion Spreads As OMB Freezes Federal Grant Programs

cablefax.com - 28/Jan 00:00

The potential fallout from a bombshell memorandum from the Office of Management and Budget temporarily freezing federal grant programs is nearly...

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