Slicing and dicing the Nation’s investments in itself

Posted by JoeAm on January 18, 2015 · 40 Comments 

From time to time, I explore the mundane workings of Philippine government to improve my grasp of what exactly is going on in the real world where tabloid journalists rarely tread. I know the Aquino government has given infrastructure development its rightful high priority. Where is the money going? Is the overall program reasonable? Will it … Continue reading →

Category Economy, Philippine Government

Vice President Binay and the rage of the Middle Class

Posted by JoeAm on January 8, 2015 · 203 Comments 

The Philippines is a democracy in transition and it is moving faster than some people think. The transition is from economic poverty to economic wealth, and from a feudal democracy that favors the few to a forthright democracy that works for common good. The catalyst may be President Aquino, but the transition is out of … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Economy, Philippine Government, Philippine Politics

FOI, Right of Reply, Impunity and Discretion

Posted by JoeAm on January 7, 2015 · 22 Comments 

The Freedom of Information Bill being crafted in the Legislature is a very revealing document because it illustrates how the Philippine feudal democracy works. A feudal democracy exists when the framework of laws and governance is democratic but the rules for governing are adjusted to preserve the authority and advantages (the rent-seeking ability, for readers of economic bent) of the … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government

A little change of plans

Posted by JoeAm on January 5, 2015 · 63 Comments 

You know, I probably write smack better than most in the Philippines. “Smack: a disrespectful comment made to or about someone.” (One of 42 definitions cited in the Urban Dictionary. Don’t check out the others unless you have great tolerance for American street language.) But I have become increasingly uncomfortable doing smack. I’ve reached the … Continue reading →

Category Blogging/Journalism, Citizenship/Patriotism, Crime/Corruption, Culture and Arts, Economy, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government, Philippine Politics

Does Senator Santiago figure the Philippines for a beggar-me nation?

Posted by JoeAm on December 18, 2014 · 94 Comments 

It seems to me that Senator Santiago is one of the most negative people around. She is always hammering at someone, often in an indignant rant with five or six juicy quotes for the Inquirer’s crack reporters to wrap their keyboards around. Her quips are legend. She’s a veritable Aesop unchained, lecturing the rest of us … Continue reading →

Category China, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Philippine Government