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Philippine fiscal behavior in recent history

Philippine Review of Economics

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Title Philippine fiscal behavior in recent history
 
Creator Diokno, Benjamin E.; University of the Philippines School of Economics
 
Subject Philippine fiscal system; tax reform; investment in public infrastructure
 
Description The Philippine national government had large and unsustainable budget deficits in the 1980s. But after a brief period of near-balanced budget in the mid-1990s, large deficits have reemerged in recent years. What explains the poor fiscal performance of the Philippines in recent years? Was it the result of unfortunate events, macroeconomic shocks, or misdirected fiscal policy?The large public-sector deficits in the early 1980s and those in recent years have similarities and differences. Both episodes of deficits occurred during periods of soaring oil prices, high interest rates, and volatile foreign exchange rates. Both episodes were also associated with low tax effort. The gains from the 1986 tax reform program during the middle years were lost in recent years because of discretionary changes. Over time, spending priorities changed. Marcos focused on infrastructure spending, while Aquino and Estrada focused on social services. Investment in physical infrastructure has a positive effect on fiscal balance. It makes private investment more productive, reduces transactions costs, increases the profitability of private-sector businesses, and thus expands economic output. JEL classification: H11, H5
 
Publisher Philippine Review of Economics
 
Contributor
 
Date 2011-01-10
 
Type info:eu-repo/semantics/article
info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
Peer-reviewed Article
 
Format application/pdf
 
Identifier http://www.econ.upd.edu.ph/pre/index.php/pre/article/view/645
 
Source Philippine Review of Economics; Vol 47, No 1 (2010); 39-87
1655-1516
 
Language eng
 
Relation http://www.econ.upd.edu.ph/pre/index.php/pre/article/view/645/4
 
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