The financial puzzle that is the Federalism Constitution

By JoeAm – Preliminaries Forgive the length of this article. The main points are quickly summarized, but I have included appendices to fill in the particulars for those who are thorough or curious. One caveat: There are a lot of numbers to consider. This is not a search for accounting precision. It is a search … Continue reading

Philippines’ era of golden infras and economic take-off – it’s hard to be optimistic

By Chemrock The Duterte administration promises their legacy will be an era of golden infrastructure that will drive the country to it’s economic take-off point, ushering in prosperity and uplifting the nation. This will be realized through public borrowing (both domestic and foreign) and tax reforms to fund the infra spending. I have written on … Continue reading

Time and the presidency in 2022

By JoeAm Nothing is permanent in Philippine politics. Power is not static, it moves, shifts, transfers, gathers, divides, and even evaporates. Time is the ticking clock hovering over everything. It drives allegiances locally and nationally, mainly through elections and as people of age give way to the youngsters. It’s fascinating, the family ties here. We … Continue reading

Are Americans being set up as another enemy for the Philippines?

By JoeAm Tyrants need enemies, for if they did not have them, they could not insist upon using unrestrained power. They would have to follow the law. Enemies are the excuse for suppression and brutality. The Duterte government operates outside the law to fight its various enemies, drug addicts, yellows, critics, NPA, Muslim terrorists, human … Continue reading