The Cost of Blind Liberalization: How Low Tariffs and Weak Incentives Are Killing Philippine Industries

Posted by Karl Garcia on November 4, 2025 · 101 Comments 

By Karl Garcia I. Introduction The Philippine economy today stands at a crossroads between open-market liberalization and national economic resilience. For decades, the country has pursued low or zero tariffs, minimal industrial protection, and inconsistent investment incentives — policies rooted in the promise that free trade and market competition would drive prosperity. Instead, this experiment … Continue reading →

Category Economy, Education, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Governance, Philippine Government

The Philippines is no longer chopped liver

Posted by JoeAm on September 11, 2025 · 53 Comments 

Analysis and Opinion By Joe America The Philippines is alive and well, front and center, gaining traction, and lookin’ good. The Philippines is no longer chopped liver. “Um, hey Gemini, explain that idiom.” With much of the world in turmoil and generating hate, the Philippines is moving away from hate to sense, stability, and peace. … Continue reading →

Category Economy, Education, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Governance, Philippine Government

Philippine government agencies can use AI to leapfrog past their incompetence!

Posted by JoeAm on August 28, 2025 · 87 Comments 

Analysis and Opinion By Joe America Corruption and incompetence are the foundations of the Philippine’s nagging third world condition. The rest of the world moves fast and rich to build modern economies, infrastructure, and citizen care. Irineo B. R. Salazar reminds us that even the best of nations have to make fundamental changes to keep … Continue reading →

Category Crime/Corruption, Economy, Governance, Philippine Government, Technology/Internet

President Marcos decided to be like Aquino instead of Duterte

Posted by JoeAm on August 21, 2025 · 48 Comments 

Analysis and Opinion By Joe America President Marcos fooled me, for sure. I thought he’d be another Duterte, blatantly corrupt and tending toward dogmatic rule. Nope. President Marcos is running a steady ship. Rational policies. Build-up of alliances. On the hunt for foreign investments. Steady economy, one of the fastest growing in Asia. Working to … Continue reading →

Category China, Crime/Corruption, Culture and Arts, Economy, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Philippine Government

President Marcos has the Philippines on the way up

Posted by JoeAm on June 12, 2025 · 114 Comments 

Analysis and Opinion By Joe America Democracy is an engine, a force, a living organism. It is not tin soldiers following orders, it is millions of people energized by hope, opportunity, and a system of organized chaos. Leaders are chosen by citizens but their term is shaped by accidents, the strange behavior of history, and … Continue reading →

Category China, Economy, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Philippine Government, Philippine Politics, USA/Americans