Electricity, Part 3: Epira is a lame duck with a non-performing WESM

Image · Posted by chemrock on January 2, 2019 · 142 Comments 

By Chemrock The continuing high cost of electricity fuels clamor for repealing EPIRA (Electric Power Industry Reform Act 2001) and revert the power sector to a public run service.  Has Epira delivered on its mandate to bring about affordable electricity in a more efficient and competitive market? This is a 3-part series on electricity. The first … Continue reading →

Category Blogging/Journalism, Ecology/Global Warming, Economy, Philippine Government, Philippine Politics, Uncategorized

The Philippines needs a moral revolution

Posted by JoeAm on December 21, 2018 · 105 Comments 

By JoeAm I must leave it to Philippine citizens to talk about and undertake specific political acts like whom to elect. The current government is not inclined to look favorably on foreigners intruding into their electoral affairs, especially if they have contrary ideas. I also avoid discussions of overthrow or revolution and cringe every time … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Crime/Corruption, Culture and Arts, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government

The Balangiga Bells: Philippine Liberty Bells

Posted by JoeAm on December 19, 2018 · 186 Comments 

By JoeAm I’ve started liking those bells, those Balangiga Bells, for what they represent. For a long time, they were an embarrassment for me, attaching my heritage to a symbol of American brutality and the racism that was prevalent at the time. I wished they would just go away and for sure wished President Duterte … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Philippine Government, USA/Americans

Thinking positive: Philippine development priorities

Posted by JoeAm on December 14, 2018 · 31 Comments 

By JoeAm An intelligent government need not be destined to failure, which seems to me to be the current path. Government’s priority today is to take care of the empowered elite rather than everyday Filipinos. That is failure. Clearly, when Jollibee, the Pope, and whole student bodies are cited as enemies of the State, we … Continue reading →

Category Blogging/Journalism, China, Citizenship/Patriotism, Crime/Corruption, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government

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