The Marcos administration’s claims of reform and economic development are increasingly undermined by selective anti-corruption efforts, worsening economic conditions, and the continued repression of communities resisting state and corporate projects. At the same time, its deepening alignment with the United States, particularly amid intensifying great-power competition, further constrains Philippine economic and foreign-policy independence.

With inflation rate easing to 6.5% in July 2026, the Philippines remained scarred by a 4.8% unemployment and 11% poverty alongside 52% self-rated poverty or more than half of the population. Compare the country’s low economic growth to the high intensity of political infighting among the country’s ruling elite particularly between the Ilocos-based Marcos dynasty and Davao-based Dutertes – and one may conclude that politics is going askew. Meanwhile, the US-Israel war against

The Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. administration has continued to highlight favorable macroeconomic indicators, strengthened security partnerships, and international recognition as evidence that the country is moving toward stability and prosperity. Behind declarations of economic progress, however, are Filipino families struggling with agonizingly high prices and wages that remain far below the cost of a dignified standard of living.

The think tank Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CenPEG) said the opening day of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte marks a critical test of the country's democratic institutions and the constitutional principle that no public official is above the law. CenPEG Chairperson Prof. Roland G. Simbulan stressed that the proceedings should not be viewed merely as a political contest but as an opportunity to uphold public accountability at a time when mil

Center for People Empowerment and Governance (CenPEG)Comprehensive Analysis, February 2026 Synthesis This paper aims to analyze the Philippines' precarious position in early 2026 as it navigates a domestic political crisis and a high-risk alignment with U.S.’ "aggressive unilateralism." While the Marcos administration faces a "governance-induced paralysis" fueled by a ₱805-billion corruption scandal and a "popularity flip" favoring the resurgent Duterte bloc, the nation h

PRESS RELEASE August 7, 2025 A Betrayal of Public Accountability and Constitutional Duty — Chairperson Prof. Roland G. Simbulan The...

PRESS STATEMENT July 27, 2025 𝗕𝗘𝗬𝗢𝗡𝗗 𝗟𝗘𝗚𝗔𝗟 𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗛𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗘𝗦, 𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗘𝗔𝗖𝗛𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗟𝗗 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗖𝗘𝗘𝗗...

Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CenPEG) June 2025 Political Brief June 2025 saw the Philippines grappling with...

The Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CenPEG) expresses serious concern over the decision of the Philippine Senate to return...