democracy – Page 3 – Author Carlo Carrasco

Economist says election-related spending won’t add much to nation’s economic growth this time

March 18, 2025March 18, 2025carlocarrasco

As far as one economist is concerned, spending related to this year’s national and local elections (scheduled for May 12, 2025) will not add much to the nation’s economic growth this year, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

Elections and related spending no longer provide the same economic boost as they once did. As a result, an economist at Ateneo de Manila University expects the Philippine economy to grow below goal this year, despite the upcoming midterm elections in May.

Luis Dumlao, associate professor and senior research fellow at the university’s economic research arm, Ateneo Eagle Watch, forecasted that there won’t be any “extraordinary GDP [gross domestic product] spike” due to election-related activities during the first half of this year.

During Ateneo Eagle Watch’s 2025 economic briefing last Thursday, March 6, Dumlao projected that annual GDP growth could potentially accelerate from 5.6 percent in 2024 to 5.9 percent in 2025.

If Dumlao’s forecast proves accurate, it would mark the third consecutive year that economic growth falls short of the government’s target, following a peak of 7.6 percent in 2022—the year of the last presidential election, which President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. won.

The Marcos administration targets growth of six to eight percent for 2025.

In the past, elections—even midterm polls—bolstered the economy. GDP grew by 6.1 percent in 2019 and 6.8 percent in 2013 due to midterm election-related spending.

In 2016, when former President Rodrigo Duterte won the presidency, economic growth reached 7.1 percent. Back in 2010, when former President Benigno Aquino III was voted to the top position in the land, GDP expanded by 7.3 percent.

Despite his below-expectations GDP growth estimate for this year, Dumlao also projected that annual inflation would average 2.4 percent, falling within the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) two- to four-percent target range for manageable price increases.

His headline inflation forecast for 2025 is lower than the 3.2 percent in 2024. As of end-February, inflation averaged 2.5 percent, mainly due to rice deflation or declining prices of the Filipino food staple.

With the election campaign season rolling in, Dumlao noted that the practice of politicians giving away dole-outs or “ayuda” may no longer be as feasible.

While such spending was effective as a band-aid solution during the Covid-19 pandemic, when there was a greater need for financial support to sectors badly hit by the health and socioeconomic crises it wrought, Dumlao emphasized that “there’s no excuse” for continuing such expenditures post-pandemic.

“Ayuda was excused during the pandemic… However, for some reason, the government’s expenditure [on dole-outs] grew” even after the pandemic.

“There’s still [ayuda] spending as if it’s still the pandemic,” he said.

As elections gradually lose their hefty contribution to economic output, Dumlao urged the government to focus on key industries that would foster long-term growth.

“The economic drivers right now are accommodation like hotels, retail, trade, and construction. Business process outsourcing (BPO), too. Those are the fastest-growing subsectors,” he said.

Dumlao also suggested a further push for privatization of certain infrastructures and utilities.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you still think that election-related spending can still add a lot to the growth of the national economy this year? Do you think further privatization by the government will prove to be more crucial and helpful to enhancing economic growth? Did you notice how the local politicians and election candidate have been giving away assistance or ayuda to local communities recently?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

COMELEC declares that candidates are not required to attend election debates

March 6, 2025February 26, 2025carlocarrasco

As the May 2025 National and Local Elections slowly get closer, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) declared that candidates are not required to attend debates, according to a news article by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of the PNA. Some parts in boldface…

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday said participation of the national and local candidates in election debates is not mandatory.

“Requiring candidates to attend debates is not yet provided in the guidelines as we are still studying its constitutionality,” Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said in an interview. He said Comelec will not organize debates for the May 12 mid-term elections.

“The Comelec is not conducting these debates, but other groups and organizations. That is really up to them,” he said.

The poll body, however, said organizers must make sure that all candidates are invited to participate in the election debates.

“Not even one candidate should be excluded. Everyone must be invited,” he said.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the COMELEC is right declaring that election candidates are not required to attend debates? Do you want to see the COMELEC itself organize debates for the candidates running for seats in the Philippine Senate? Do you prefer private entities such as business groups or homeowners associations to organize debates in relation to local elections?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Philippines voting population almost 76 million, voters aged 18-44 form majority

February 20, 2025February 12, 2025carlocarrasco

When compared to the National and Local Elections of 2022, the voting population of the Philippines for this year is significantly higher with almost 76 million and voters aged 18 to 44-years-old combined for a majority, according to a GMA Network news report. It should be noted that the number of registered voters for 2025 is short of 70 million.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA News report. Some parts in boldface…

Filipinos from the ages of 18 to 44 make up the majority of voters for Eleksyon 2025, data compiled by GMA Integrated News Research showed.

According to a report on 24 Oras Weekend, the Philippines’ voting population—or those who are of age to vote—increased by a little over 10 million to 75,940,535 for the 2025 national and local midterm elections, from 65,745,512 in 2022.

Of the 2025 total, Comelec data as of Jan. 23, 2025 shows that 69,673,655 are registered voters.

And of this number, the breakdown by generation is as follows, according to GMA Integrated News Research:

* 25.94 million are Millennials, born in the period from 1981 to 1996, making up 34.15% of the voting-age population

* 21.87 million are Gen Z, born in the period from 1997 to 2007, making up 28.79% of the voting-age population

* 17.64 million are Gen X, born in the period from 1965 to 1980, making up 23.22% of the voting-age population

* 10.50 million are from the Baby Boom and Silent Generations, born in the 1946–1964 and 1928–1945 periods respectively, making up 13.83% of the voting-age population

This means Millennials and Gen Z voters make up about 63% of the voting-age population and 68% of the registered voters for Eleksyon 2025.

In 2022, millennials were still the biggest group of voters, followed by Gen X-ers at 16.78 million. Gen Z-ers saw the biggest increase in voters, from 13.11 million in 2022 to 21.87 million three years later.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do Millennials and Gen Z voters of your local community form a majority of the local voting population? Are the registered voters of your local community willing to vote in this May’s national and local elections?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Warrantless arrest of vote-buyers and sellers included in new COMELEC resolution for 2025 elections

February 8, 2025February 4, 2025carlocarrasco

Anyone who gets caught selling or buying votes in connection with the National and Local elections this year will get into trouble as the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) recently issued a resolution monitoring such activities and warrantless arrests will be allowed, according to a GMA Network news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of GMA. Some parts in boldface…

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has issued a resolution allowing law enforcement to arrest vote buyers and sellers without a warrant if they are caught in the act.

According to Sandra Aguinaldo’s report on “24 Oras,” Resolution No. 11104 will expand the authority of the poll body’s Committee on Kontra-Bigay” to monitor vote buying and selling in Eleksyon 2025.

The resolution allows a law enforcer to make a warrantless arrest if he or she witnessed an act or attempt to commit election offenses.

“Any law enforcement officer may, without a warrant, arrest a person when, in his or her presence, the person to be arrested has committed, is actually committing, or is attempting to commit the election offense of vote-buying and vote-selling or act constituting ASR (abuse of state resources),” the resolution read.

The arrested individual will be brought to the nearest police station.

Meanwhile, the materials used in vote buying or selling will be under the custody of the police.

“The money or any other goods of value, sample ballots and any other campaign materials used for vote-buying and vote-selling, and ASR, shall be immediately seized and taken into custody by the apprehending law enforcement officer,” the resolution added.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the newest resolution by the COMELEC will be effective in preserving the integrity of the national and local elections scheduled for May 2025? Do you think the inclusion of warrantless arrests will deter the buyers and sellers of votes?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Did many undocumented Filipinos leave America before Donald Trump’s return as US President?

January 27, 2025January 26, 2025carlocarrasco

By the time you are reading this, it has been days since Donald Trump formally returned as President of the United States. That being said, it has been months since Filipinos staying illegally in America have been advised to not wait to be deported by Trump’s new administration which itself has made clear it new immigration policy. In fact, the search, apprehension and deporting of illegal immigrants in America are already in effect (click here and here). In a recent report by GMA Network, the Philippine embassy in the United States is not certain how many undocumented Filipins left America to avoid the mass deportation.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of GMA. Some parts in boldface…

The Philippine Embassy in Washington has yet to determine if many undocumented Filipinos have already left the United States ahead of the anticipated mass deportation under the Trump administration, an envoy said on Monday.

“We are not sure whether many of those that are undocumented na ating mga kababayan have left,” Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez told Unang Balita in an interview.

Romualdez said the embassy has advised undocumented Filipinos to leave the US as deported individuals will not be allowed to come back.

“Yun nga ang advice namin sa kanila. Kung wala talaga silang legal path, it is better they go na muna para makabalik sila dito at some point in time. Kasi kapag ma-deport ka, talagang hindi ka na makakabalik,” he said.

(That’s our advice to them. If they really don’t have a legal path, it’s better they go already so they can come back here at some point in time. Because once you get deported, you really can’t come back.)

According to Romualdez, the US government said those who have criminal records as well as the 1.3 million immigrants who are already processed will be prioritized for deportation.

In November last year, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said it would assist over 300,000 undocumented Filipinos in the US who could possibly be deported.

DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said that there are an estimated 370,000 undocumented Filipino immigrants in the US.

“The DMW is prepared to assist our OFWs, whether they are documented or undocumented OFWs. Under the directives of our President, a whole-of-government team is here to provide support to possible deportees,” Cacdac said.

During Trump’s first term in the White House from 2017 to 2020, over 3,500 Filipinos were deported with the highest being recorded in 2018 with 503.

In his victory speech, Trump reiterated that he would close borders in the United States and would impose stricter laws against illegal aliens.

“We gonna have to seal up those borders, we are gonna have to let people come into our country. We want people to come back in, but they have to come in legally… We are gonna start by putting America first,” he said.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think many illegal Filipinos have left the United States before Trump formally returned as US President? Have members in your local community turned too sympathetic to illegal immigrants and perceived them as refugees? Do you realize that there are violent criminals and terrorists among the many millions of foreigners who illegally entered the United States under the failed Biden-Harris administration?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Las Piñas City Councilor Santos asks COMELEC to consider city an election hotspot

December 12, 2024December 4, 2024carlocarrasco

In light of the May 2025 local elections and the recent local controversy that happened, Las Piñas City Councilor Mark Santos asked the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to consider the city an election hotspot, according to a Remate On-Line news report.

For the newcomers reading this, Councilor Santos is running for the lone congressional seat of Las Piñas. This puts him against outgoing Senator Cynthia Villar who happens to be running for the same post.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from new report of the Remate On-Line. Some parts in boldface…

AFTER being ‘bullied’ by his opponent, veteran Las Piñas Councilor Mark Anthony Santos, a congressional candidate, has asked the Commission on Elections to include the city in the list of potential areas of concern in the May 2025 midterm elections.

He also requested the city police to investigate the death threats he received after he filed his certificate of candidacy last October 7, 2024 against graduating lawmaker Sen. Cynthia Villar.

”Comelec should now consider Las Piñas as among the election hotspots in Metro Manila due to the recent ’life-threatening’ developments,” he told Good Riddance.

Santos reiterated that the poll body must consider Las Piñas under election hotspot after Villar allegedly acted repeatedly in an unparliamentary manner and used offensive, derogatory and improper language against her political leaders, neighbors as well as homeowner’s association officers and security personnel.

“The Villars are being considered as the most powerful politicians not only in Las Piñas but in the entire country aside from being the richest family in the Philippines.”

Santos said he’d rather die fighting than withdraw from the congressional race.

A former chief of staff of late mayor Vergel Aguilar, he’s an advocate of socialized housing and in-city relocation, supporting the Marcos administration housing projects nationwide.

During a council privilege speech, he exposed the P213 million in accumulated taxes and penalties the Villar Group of Companies has only paid P151-million in real property taxes.

He believed that the death threats against his life were also connected to his exposes involving irregularities allegedly committed by a politician.

In recent viral video clips uploaded in Tiktok, Villar ‘attacked’ her congressional opponent, Santos, while sitting in an opposite pew minutes before the start of the mass at the city’s Our Lady of Fatima Church.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? In light of the controversy, would you consider voting for Mark Santos to represent Las Piñas in the House of Representatives?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Child participation in governance emphasized in Las Piñas City

December 9, 2024December 2, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently in the City of Las Piñas, the City Government engaged with children and local stakeholders in relation with child participation in governance and the local celebration of National Children’s Month, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from new report the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…

The Las Piñas City government recently brought together children, stakeholders, and local leaders to promote the principles of child participation in governance.

Vice Mayor April Aguilar said the State of the Children’s Address (SOCA) and a Children’s Congress were conducted at the Excelsior Hotel.

Aguilar said the city government held the activities in celebration of National Children’s Month every November.

She said the children representatives actively participated in discussions and activities aimed at amplifying their voices.

The Vice Mayor also said stakeholders also signed a Declaration of Commitment against online and offline abuse and exploitation of children.

The event also served as a platform for young participants to share their views, ensuring their inclusion in local policies and programs concerning their welfare and rights.

Members of the Local Council for the Protection of Children emphasized the city’s commitment to child rights.

Aguilar, during her interaction with the youth participants, underscored the importance of empowering children as active agents of societal change.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? How many people in your local community are aware of the celebration of National Children’s Month.

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Over 1,200 senior citizens of three Las Piñas City barangays receive pension from CSWDO

December 7, 2024December 2, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently in the City of Las Piñas, more than one thousand two hundred senior citizens of Barangay Almanza Uno, Barangay Talon Tres and Barangay Pilar Village received their pension from the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), the City Government announced via social media.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the City Government’s social media post. Some parts in boldface…

The City of Las Piñas, through the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), held a social pension pay-out on Wednesday, November 20, at the Almanza Uno Covered Court. The event catered to 1,240 senior citizens from Barangays Talon Tres, Almanza Uno, and Pilar, providing vital financial aid to support their daily needs.

Beneficiaries from Almanza Uno totaled 433, while 424 came from Talon Tres and 383 from Pilar. Each recipient received ₱6,000, representing their social pension for the second half of the year, July to December. The funds were allocated by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as part of the national government’s efforts to assist indigent senior citizens.

City representatives ensured the smooth delivery of financial assistance, engaging with the beneficiaries to address any concerns and streamline the process. This initiative underscores the city’s commitment to recognizing the contributions of senior citizens and providing meaningful support to improve their quality of life.

Through its collaboration with the DSWD, the city government continues to implement programs focused on addressing the needs of vulnerable groups.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Has the CSWDO released pension funds to senior citizens of your local community already?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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COMELEC to launch massive voter education campaign for 2025 elections this December

November 28, 2024November 27, 2024carlocarrasco

Starting December 2, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) will launch a massive voter education campaign related to the 2025 National and Local Elections and the use of automated counting machines (ACMs), according to a GMA Network news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA news report. Some parts in boldface…

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is set to launch next month a massive voter education campaign to demonstrate the use of automated counting machines (ACMs) to stakeholders ahead of the 2025 midterm elections.

Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia on Wednesday said at least 2,000 ACMs were distributed to all barangays in the country in preparation for a roadshow caravan slated from December 2, 2024 to January 30, 2025.

“Mula December 2 to January 30, pupunta ang local Comelec sa mga kababayan natin upang mai-demo, maipagamit sa kanila at sila mismo ma-experience ang mga makina at malaman nila paano ito magamit,” Garcia told reporters during the delivery of the last batch of ACMs at the Comelec warehouse in Biñan, Laguna.

(Local Comelec officers will go to communities to demonstrate how the machines work.)

South Korean firm Miru Systems delivered a total of 9,860 ACMs to Comelec on November 27, completing the 110,620 ACMs required for the 2025 midterm elections.

All ACMs and election peripherals are undergoing hardware acceptance tests (HAT) at the Comelec warehouse, where the machines’ hardware components — including its battery mode operation, screen, printer, camera, scanner, audio, USB ports, LED sensors, external keypad, network, and HDMI — are being tested. A random 5% of each batch of deliveries will also undergo stress tests.

“We are proud to have finished delivery of our new and more sophisticated machines, and will continue to work diligently with the Comelec as these machines undergo strict quality control and security tests,” Miru Systems VP Ken Cho said.

In September, the Comelec said it was expecting Miru to finish the delivery of all ACMs by November, a month ahead of schedule as the firm earlier promised to complete the delivery of the machines in December.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the 2025 National and Local Elections will be organized cleanly and efficiently under the COMELEC and the new provider of voting machines?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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68.6 million registered voters for 2025 National and Local Elections

November 12, 2024November 4, 2024carlocarrasco

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) recently announced that almost sixty-nine million voters got registered for the 2025 National and Local Elections, according a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article. The figure was almost three million more than what was counted in 2022.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…

The country has now close to 69 million registered voters for the 2025 midterm elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Sunday.

Latest Comelec records showed that 68,618,667 registered voters nationwide may participate in the forthcoming polls, with Region IV-A or Calabarzon topping the highest number of voters at 9,764,170.

Region III (Central Luzon) came in second with 7,712,535 registered voters, followed by the National Capital Region (Metro Manila) with 7,562,858.

Regions VII (Central Visayas) and V (Bicol Region) came in fourth and fifth at 4,407,337 and 4,066,662, respectively.

On the other hand, the Cordillera Administrative Region with 1,111,859 voters and Caraga (Region XIII) with 1,889,616 voters posted the lowest number of registered voters.

The total is higher than the May 2022 national polls with 65,745,526 voters and the village and Sangguniang Kabataan (youth) elections in October last year with 67,839,861.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Are there many members of your local community who intend to vote in the 2025 National and Local Elections?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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