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

Dear President Marcos, kindly don’t kiss America’s patootie

Posted by JoeAm on October 23, 2025 · 68 Comments 

Analysis and Opinion By Joe America I was highly disturbed last week by news videos showing the acting American ambassador to Manila visiting an ICI meeting. The video showed Filipinos treating this acting guy as a movie star, and the movie star enjoying his role. He should not have been there. Philippine justice is a … Continue reading →

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

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.” The “chopped liver” idiom is used informally to describe someone or something that is not important, is being overlooked, or is being treated … Continue reading →

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

It’s greed vs freedom in the Philippines, and greed won

Posted by JoeAm on September 1, 2025 · 45 Comments 

Analysis and Opinion By Joe America This analysis is as simple as simple can be. The Duterte clan is aligned with China, not for social good or the economy, but for greed. They want to run scams like Pharmally, drugs, and smuggling through their crony pals and take some of the money. They want the … Continue reading →

Category Blogging/Journalism, China, Citizenship/Patriotism, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Philippine Government, Philippine Politics

Will Xi play Trump like a banjo over the Philippines?

Posted by JoeAm on August 25, 2025 · 50 Comments 

Analysis and Opinion By Joe America We have two freshly updated facts that we should attend to: Putin has played Trump like a banjo in Ukraine. China has stepped up her aggressions in the West Philippine Sea. Regarding point 1: The US now considers Ukraine to be the aggressor causing war with Russia, and peace … Continue reading →

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