Friday, September 13, 2013

Pork Barrel - Philippines

Since the Janet Napoles issue came out, several politicians were linked to her by "photo".  Several photos of her with prominent Philippine politicians came out but does not necessarily mean that they have coursed their pork barrel through her foundations.  Quite surely there are many people who have photos with politicians and if ever they did anything wrong, that does not mean the politician with them in a picture had something to do with it, right?

There are also politicians who deny knowing her and a photo with Napoles does not necessarily mean they know her.  The problem with some of us Filipinos is that we are quick to conclude.  We have to accept that whenever there is an opportunity to have a photo with a celebrity or politician, we are so eager to get in with them in pictures.

The point here is investigators should now come up with names and proof that the politicians indeed funneled their pork barrels through her foundations.  That should also include the people in government agencies that have been dealing with them directly in processing the PDAF that Janet Napoles made a lot of money from.

Monday, September 9, 2013

Dollar to Philippine Peso speculation

In late 2012, there was news that the Philippine peso was to get stronger against the U.S. dollar.  There were speculations that the exchange rate would be $1.00 to 38.00 or even 36.00 PHP.  This was because of the said economic growth of the Philippines compared to its Asean neighbors.

Until now news still comes out that the Philippine economy is getting stronger.  However, the speculated stronger peso to the dollar has not happened yet.  Actually the peso weakened against the dollar and is currently around 42.00 to 43.00 to a dollar!

Small businesses are the basis of  a country's economy.  There are more of them than the big businesses.  Small businesses are hard up and a good number of them is closing down.  If they are closing down it means to say people are having less when it comes to source of income.

Some are going for the option of employment after closing down their business.  There's no way that employment can substitute good income from a business.  A good example is phasing out of old model taxi cabs.  There's no way for those who have single units to afford getting a brand new model of vehicle to be used as taxi.