Corruption is a bottoms-up incentive plan

Posted by JoeAm on December 12, 2018 · 47 Comments 

By JoeAm It struck me that the line between legal incentive payments and illegal corruption is rather narrow, ill-defined, and even hazy. Not too many people get real incentive payments in the Philippines, that is exceptional salary add-ons for exceptionally productive work. The incentives that exist, a 13th month for everybody, don’t incent anything but … Continue reading →

Category Crime/Corruption, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government

Using a threat of ‘lawless violence’ is persecution of Filipinos

Posted by JoeAm on December 10, 2018 · 54 Comments 

By JoeAm President Duterte and his officials make frequent use of the term “lawless violence” as a reason to move Armed Forces troops here and there, and to justify an extension of martial law in Mindanao. We get the sense that the lawless violence is so bad the entire nation could be put under martial … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Crime/Corruption, Philippine Government

“Importanteng Maisama sa Conversation”—Erin Tañada

Posted by Wilfredo G. Villanueva on November 30, 2018 · 110 Comments 

(First of two parts) by Wilfredo G. Villanueva An activist who talks like he’s in the halls of academe. An oppositionist who still calls President Duterte “pangulo” without a hint of disdain or sarcasm. Took the bar exams doggedly three times to pass, simply because he wants to be a lawyer. He. Wants. To. Be. … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Crime/Corruption, Education, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government, Philippine Politics

The President of the Philippines hates Manila

Posted by JoeAm on November 23, 2018 · 58 Comments 

By JoeAm The President of the Philippines hates Manila. That is my opinion. It is not a fact. It is a deduction. You can decide if it is within a range of acceptable probability. You can decide if it is meaningful or not. The President detests all that Manila stands for. He hates the place. … Continue reading →

Category China, Crime/Corruption, Economy, Philippine Government, Philippine Politics

Filipinos will exchange their digital souls for a taste of heaven on earth

Posted by JoeAm on November 12, 2018 · 32 Comments 

By Andrew Lim The following is a scenario-building exercise based on recent developments in the Philippine telecommunications industry, with geopolitics, national security and the West Philippine Sea conflict as backdrop. It may be fictional, but the institutions, personalities and their capabilities are based on real life. – For this exercise, we will make use of … Continue reading →

Category China, Crime/Corruption, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government