foreign investments

Impunity and underdevelopment under Marcos Jr

June 14, 2025

When populists take power, the people become fodder for self-serving ambition, and our goals for development and human rights are, at best, afterthoughts. At worst, they’re trampled on for being inconvenient obstacles to personal wealth and power. The spectacle of political theater and intentional delay of the vice-president’s impeachment trial in the Senate confirms institutional […]

America First, Philippines Last: The art of the bad deal

April 29, 2025

COMMENTARY

It is baffling how the Philippine government can so badly misread the US’s unambiguous “America First” statements and actions as signaling an interest in Philippine development.

Are foreign investments in water what we need?

November 13, 2024

FEATURES

The government’s water supply and sanitation map declares the need for further private sector involvement and implies more foreign participation. But will this solve the country’s water predicament?

BBM admin to foreigners: Take our land, please

November 12, 2024

COMMENTARY

The proposal to increase the land lease limit to 99 years really won’t make much difference in making the Philippines more attractive to foreign investment, and certainly won’t mean anything for long-term economic development.

Korea-PH free trade agreement: Even BINI does better

September 24, 2024

COMMENTARY

South Korea’s world class industries today were built on protectionist foundations – reason enough for the Philippine government and our economic managers to radically rethink the country’s obsolete free market globalization policies.