Action for Economic Reforms has transferred to a new office. We are now at Unit 1403 West Trade Center, 132 West Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines 1104.  You can still contact at us at (632) 426 5626 and (632) 426 5632.

As AER nears its 15th year, the organization reaffirms our commitment to sustainable growth, equity and people-centered governance. 

To quote the Harvard economist Dani Rodrik, “institutions rule.” The evidence is overwhelming that the quality of institutions predicts long-term growth and prosperity.

The rebuilding of institutions is critical to the task of administration of Benigno Aquino III. The commitment of President Aquino to fight corruption and promote good governance is essentially a question of rebuilding institutions.

Action for Economic Reforms, in collaboration with the Department of Health, World Health Organization, University of the Philippines College of Law, SEATCA Initiative on Tobacco Tax (SITT), and HealthJustice will be holding a Health Promotion Funding and Tobacco Tax Seminar on June 22, 2010, Tuesday, 8:00AM- 12:30PM at the Malcolm Theater, UP College of Law, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City.  This event will feature Dr. Ayda Yurekli, a Senior Economic Adviser from the World Health Organization. 
 
The main objectives of this Seminar are: (1) to enhance the participants’ understanding of the health promotion funding concept and how tobacco taxes can be used as a source of funding for priority public health programs; and (2) to draw broad-based support for the tobacco tax increase and health promotion funding.

Halalang Marangal (HALAL) invites political parties, election  monitors, NGOs, the media and the public to a public forum on the May 10 elections, to be held on Wednesday, March 17, 9am - 12nn, at Conference Hall of PRRM, 56 Mo. Ignacia Ave., QC.

HALAL will explain why the risk of failure of the automated elections is "unacceptably high", and will discuss possible scenarios emerging from its analysis.

Freedom of information advocates found another champion in known social reformer Bishop Broderick Pabillo as the campaign for the ratification of the FOI Bill by the Lower House on May 31 intensifies.

The Auxiliary Bishop of Manila celebrated a Mass calling for the Catholic faithful to pray for the ratification and signing into law of the FOI Bill. The Mass was held in the Sto. Niño de Tondo Parish amid celebrations of Valentine’s Day and the Chinese New Year.

Download the full press release.

The Freedom of Information bill has been approved by the bicameral conference committee last week. The bicam report will have to be ratified by both Houses of Congress to have an enrolled bill that will be presented to the President for her signature.

The Right to Know. Right Now! Campaign encourages all advocates to continue pressing our legislators to pass this watershed legislation.

Download a copy of the bicameral confrence report . More information about the bill can be found in the Right to Know. Right Now! section of the AER website.

The Right to Know. Right Now! Campaign, a network of over 100 organizations and coalitions comprising public-interest groups, environmental protection advocates, independent media groups, print and broadcast journalists, farmers organizations and support groups, women’s organizations, private and public sector labor unions, migrant workers, businessmen, academic institutions, and student and youth organizations, trooped to the Senate last 14 December 17, 2009 to thank the Senate for passing the Freedom of Information bill (Senate Bill 3308) on second reading, and to sustain the momentum for its passage on third reading.