UNA: Political party or cabal of crooks?

Posted by JoeAm on October 26, 2014 · 64 Comments 

I admit to getting frustrated with Philippine political parties because they are like smoke, hard to grasp. Personalities are more important than principles and platforms. Indeed, as we will see, the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), a major player in the 2013 national election, apparently never even got around to formulating a set of projects, or … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Crime/Corruption, Philippine Politics

Binay, the poor, and changing from a rent seeking society to a competitive society

Posted by josephivo on October 19, 2014 · 25 Comments 

By josephivo Rent The word rent has a long history. Here we use it in its more modern definition, e.g. according to Robert Tollison (1982), economic rents are “excess returns” above the “normal levels” that are generated in competitive markets. More specifically, a rent is “a return in excess of the resource owner’s opportunity cost”. Joseph … Continue reading →

Category Economy, Philippine Government, Philippine Politics

Two reasons why the US should hold an accused murderer in US custody

Posted by JoeAm on October 18, 2014 · 100 Comments 

Reason Number One A Philippine judicial system that is not based on reason, but on emotion and political influence. The attorney for the victim’s relatives, one Harry Roque, intends to lead the family on a storming of the US ships docked in Subic if the U.S. does not turn the suspect over to the Philippines. Mr. … Continue reading →

Category Crime/Corruption, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government, Philippine Politics, USA/Americans

The Mad Mad World of the Binays

Posted by JoeAm on October 14, 2014 · 60 Comments 

From time to time in a blog, I elaborate. Embellish. Is elaboration fact? No, it is elaboration, similar to the way an editorial cartoonist draws caricatures to make a point. So in today’s article, I align some words to embellish . . . and make a point or two. No harm intended. No foul. Trust me. Every … Continue reading →

Category Crime/Corruption, Humor/Satire, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Politics

Warning: the moral hazards of the Binay family

Posted by edgar lores on October 12, 2014 · 90 Comments 

by Edgar Lores Recently I came across three concepts in economics that I think may be applicable to the eruptions of corruption surrounding the Binay family.  These concepts are: Tragedy of the Commons Free Rider Moral Hazard Tragedy of the Commons The tragedy of the commons is a situation wherein individuals, acting in their own … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Crime/Corruption, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Politics