A quick look at what the Boy Scouts lost on the Alphaland joint venture

Posted by JoeAm on January 26, 2015 · 60 Comments 

Thanks to commenter parengtony at Raissa Robles’ top blog for the suggestion that we look at the Alphaland-Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) joint venture in Makati from a financial standpoint to put some order to things. I’d like to do a quick and rough sizing of the deal. Let’s look at: The history of … Continue reading →

Category Crime/Corruption, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government

Silence, the dark shadow of impunity in the Philippines

Posted by JoeAm on January 22, 2015 · 140 Comments 

I so very much appreciate the comments people make in the discussion threads to the articles posted here. They inspire my thinking. The points made in different comments at different times often come together to spark an idea. It is a form of mental combustion. Alas, I can’t always recall where the ideas came from and can’t … Continue reading →

Category Crime/Corruption, Culture and Arts, Economy, Philippine Government

Judges, priests and laws: making a bed for crime in the Philippines

Posted by JoeAm on January 20, 2015 · 115 Comments 

I’m talking about honest judges and priests as well as corrupt judges and priests. And laws that coddle criminals. And a society that talks a good game now and then but is lacking in compassion for ordinary people. Why are there so many governmental crooks in the Philippines? Why is it an accepted way of life? Why … Continue reading →

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

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