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

Nationalists are not good for the nation

Posted by JoeAm on December 7, 2018 · 80 Comments 

By JoeAm Kindly allow me to jump from idea to idea in search of understanding. Words have many definitions, so it is important to know which one is in play. ‘Nationalist’ in its popular usage today has come to mean a right wing racist fascist extremist, as in white power over any and all other … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Culture and Arts, Laws and Ethics

Paano Natin Pauunlarin ang Buhay ng mga Magsasaka?

Posted by Wilfredo G. Villanueva on December 3, 2018 · 49 Comments 

Second of two parts. (Link to Part 1) by Wilfredo G. Villanueva Will: So, paubos ang farmers? Samantalang kailangan natin ang farmers for food security? Erin: We have to break that mindset. Why are farmers in other countries well off? Pa’no natin papaunlarin ang buhay ng magsasaka? Walang mapag-utangan. Walang support service. Walang pambili ng … Continue reading →

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

“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 MOU for Philippine participation in the Belt and Road Initiative

Posted by JoeAm on November 29, 2018 · 41 Comments 

By JoeAm Below is the Memorandum of Understanding between the Philippines and China regarding joint participation in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), formerly known as One Belt One Road (OBOR). Here are the highlights: This is China’s initiative to keep growing, postured to share the wealth with participating nations. Participants will be guided by … Continue reading →

Category China, Economy, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government