at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
UHCSEAS on Facebook UHCSEAS on Twitter UHCSEAS on Instagram UHCSEAS on Youtube

Politics in the Purse: Budget Cycles as Constraints to Philippine Development

PHILIPPINE STUDIES PROGRAMME

About the Hybrid Seminar

The interplay between politics and fiscal policy in the Philippines often results in budget decisions that prioritize short-term political gains over long-term development goals. This talk examines how political business and budget cycles shape public spending patterns, with election years seeing a surge in politically motivated expenditures that distort resource allocation. These practices exacerbate development constraints, such as suboptimal public investment, weakened institutional trust, and policy inconsistency. Using recent examples under the Marcos Jr. administration, the discussion highlights the systemic challenges posed by politically driven budget cycles, particularly their impact on infrastructure, social services, and fiscal sustainability. The talk concludes with actionable recommendations to strengthen budgetary institutions, enhance transparency, and implement fiscal rules that mitigate the influence of political incentives on public finance. By addressing these challenges, the Philippines can align its fiscal policies more closely with long-term developmental priorities.

About the Speakers

Dr Jan Carlo Punongbayan is Visiting Fellow at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. He is also an assistant professor at the University of the Philippines School of Economics. His professional experience includes the Securities and Exchange Commission, the World Bank Office in Manila, the Far Eastern University Public Policy Center, and the National Economic and Development Authority. JC writes a weekly economics column for Rappler.com. He is also co-founder of UsapangEcon.com and co-host of Usapang Econ Podcast. In 2024, he was awarded The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) Award by JCI Philippines and the TOYM Foundation for his work in economics.

Dr Jayant Menon is a Visiting Senior Fellow at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, following a long career at the Asian Development Bank. His last post at ADB was Lead Economist in the Office of the Chief Economist. After obtaining his PhD from the University of Melbourne, Dr Menon worked in academia, with positions at the Centre of Policy Studies at Monash University, as well as the University of Melbourne, Victoria University, the American University in Washington, DC and the ADB Institute in Tokyo. He has served as a Board Director of CDRI, Cambodia, and on the Advisory Board of the University of Nottingham, Malaysia. He holds adjunct appointments with the Australian National University, University of Nottingham, UK and IDEAS, Malaysia. He has authored/edited more than 15 books, 40 book chapters, and 80 articles in peer-reviewed journals. obtained his PhD in political science from Georgia State University as a Fulbright Fellow.

Registration

This is a hybrid event which will be held at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute (ISEAS).

Attending the Event In-person at ISEAS

To join the event in-person at ISEAS, please register via the ISEAS mobile app, available on iOS and Android via the Apple or Play store. Search “ISEAS” to find or scan this QR code.

Apple Store

Play Store

Seating capacity is limited. Do register early to avoid disappointment.

Attending the Event Virtually via Webinar

To join the event virtually at the specified date and time using your internet devices, please register here to receive your unique login link for the webinar via the zoom platform.

If you have questions for the speaker, please key in your questions via the Q&A, stating your name and affiliation. The moderator will field them to the speakers during the Q&A session.

  • -8

    days

  • 10

    hours

  • 28

    minutes

  • 8

    seconds

Date

Jan 15 2025

Time

4:00 AM - 5:30 PM

Leave a Reply