Michael Batu

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Michael Batu
Born (1980-10-25) October 25, 1980 (age 44)
Mandaluyong, Philippines
NationalityFilipino-Canadian
Alma materSan Beda College (B.A. Economics); De La Salle University (M.A. Applied Economics); University of Guelph (M.A. Economics, Ph.D. Economics,)
Occupation(s)Economist, Academic
EmployerUniversity of the Fraser Valley
Known forCommentary on Philippine and Canadian economic issues
WebsiteGoogle Site, LinkedIn

Michael Barrios Batu is a Filipino-Canadian economist and Associate Professor of Economics at the University of the Fraser Valley in British Columbia, Canada.[1] He is known for his academic research in development economics and international remittances,[2] as well as his public commentary on economic and policy issues in the Philippines and Canada.[3]

Education

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Batu earned his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Guelph, Canada, in 2015. He previously obtained an M.A. in Economics from the University of Guelph in 2010, and an Masters in Applied Economics from De La Salle University (Manila) in the Philippines in 2004. He holds a B.A. in Economics with Computer Applications with Academic Distinction from San Beda College, Philippines, which he completed in 2000.

Career

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Batu began his career in economics as an intern at the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) in the Philippines.[4] He later worked as an instructor at De La Salle University Dasmariñas, where he taught economics and business mathematics and conducted research.[5] Batu worked at the Government of Ontario's Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration as an economist from 2007 to 2009 focusing on policy and program analysis related to immigration.[6]

In 2019, Batu was an International Visiting Professor at the Centro de Aperfeiçoamento de Economistas do Nordeste (CAEN) at the Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC) in Fortaleza, Brazil, where he taught graduate-level courses on economic development.[7] He is currently an Associate Professor of Economics at the University of the Fraser Valley, teaching economics and conducting research.[8]

Maharlika Investment Fund

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In 2022, Batu commented on the proposed Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF), a sovereign wealth fund approved by the Philippine House of Representatives. Speaking during a Laging Handa public briefing, he said the bill lacked safeguards and transparency measures. Batu noted the absence of specified tenures for members of the Maharlika Investment Corporation (MIC) Board and raised concerns about governance and accountability. He also called for clearer provisions in the law on board member appointments, term lengths, and procedures for replacing members, as well as greater transparency in investment decisions and disclosure of the companies involved.[9]

In January 2023, Batu said that the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, was a good venue for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to present the MIF. He added that the event allowed the Philippines to gauge international reception to the proposed sovereign wealth fund. Batu suggested that areas such as agriculture, digitalization, energy, and climate resiliency could be discussed, and that feedback from other countries could help refine the proposed legislation as it advanced to the Senate.[10]

Awards and Recognitions

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  • 2025: Batu is ranked among the top 5% of economists globally based on the number of RePEc downloads and abstract views.[11]
  • 2014: Inaugural College of Business and Economics Graduate Teaching Assistant Teaching Excellence Award, University of Guelph.[12]

See Also

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References

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  1. ^ "Faculty profile: Michael Batu". University of the Fraser Valley. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  2. ^ "Michael Batu - IDEAS/RePEc profile". IDEAS/RePEc. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  3. ^ "The Lobbyist". Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  4. ^ "Curriculum Vitae: Michael Batu". Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  5. ^ "Curriculum Vitae: Michael Batu". Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  6. ^ "Curriculum Vitae: Michael Batu". Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  7. ^ "Economic Development Course Outline, CAEN/UFC". Universidade Federal do Ceará. 2019. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  8. ^ "Faculty profile: Michael Batu". University of the Fraser Valley. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  9. ^ https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1706862/maharlika-talks-economist-claims-houses-swf-proposal-lacks-safeguards
  10. ^ https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1717338/davos-forum-great-venue-to-present-maharlika-fund-says-economist
  11. ^ "Michael Batu - IDEAS/RePEc profile". IDEAS/RePEc. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  12. ^ "PhD candidate Michael Batu wins inaugural College award for graduate teaching". University of Guelph. 13 May 2014. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
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