MANILA, Philippines – Have you paid your taxes yet? If yes, then you have definitely earned the right to scrutinize the way government spends your money. #BudgetTracker is a series on Rappler that will help you do just that. It's one of the initiatives under #BudgetWatch, a platform on Rappler where civil society groups and government share information and map action plans for a transparent and accountable national budget.

MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) came under fire early this month for a print advertisement depicting doctors as tax cheats. (READ: Doctors condemn ‘unfair’ BIR ad) The ad, which showed a doctor riding piggyback on a teacher, was part of the bureau's name-and-shame campaign. The campaign aims to boost revenue collections from different taxpaying sectors, particularly the self-employed. (READ: Why do we pay taxes?) The self-employed are persons who work for themselves

MANILA, Philippines – Nothing comes for free in the country, as almost all transactions require tax payments. The Tax Reform Act of 1997 identifies whose duty it is to pay taxes. It also states the types of taxes that individuals and corporations have to pay. According to the law, there are two basic types of taxes: national and local. National taxes are those we pay to the government through the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), while local taxes are the ones levied by local government units

MANILA, Philippines – Overseas Filipino workers (OFW) are often called modern day heroes by the motherland because they are willing to risk it all to support their families back home. The remittances they yield strengthen the economy, provides for the government spendings, and other social assistance. (READ: Philippine economy can't do without OFW remittances – Neda) Data from the Philippine POEA (Philippine overseas Employment Administration) show that OFWs with land-based jobs total 1,435,166

MANILA, Philippines – Choosing to work overseas is a difficult decision to make. It can also be dangerous for some. To protect Filipinos whom we continue to deploy overseas, the Philippines has established government agencies that will look after the welfare of these workers. Republic Act 10022, also known as the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipino Act of 1995, provides the framework of protective measures for the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). The law mandates the Department of Foreign A

MANILA, Philippines – On Sunday, March 16, 223 cadets from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) students will finally graduate after years of extensive training in the country's premier military training camp. The PMA class of 2014 has adopted "Siklab Diwa" as its batch name. This year's class valedictorian is Cadet First Class (CFC) Jheorge Millena Llona, a farmer's son from Albay, while the salutatorian, CFC Liza Jumawid Dango, is a dancer and licensed teacher from Cagayan de Oro City.

MANILA, Philippines – The People Power Revolution gave rise to personalities who have become important names in the nation's history. Other than the revolution and its people, we also remember the places, symbols, and songs that became part of this historic event. Rappler lists these down in commemoration of the 31st anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution. They remind us of a successful, peaceful revolution that restored democracy in the country. The L hand symbol (done by extending