Most of our readers might consider the title funny and nonsensical. But is corruption altogether bad?   My answer is: No. Corrupt practices have their use. What are some of these?


The Advantages of Corruption

Some days stand out and remain etched in the mind probably forever because of discussions with people who give a lot of guidance and inspiration. For me, one of these days was today.


Dreaming of a Zone

Last week I talked about conversations I had with the General Manager of the Clark Development Corporation, Mr. Mike de la Rosa. We talked about the long-term prospect of establishing an export processing zone in Babatngon, Leyte. This time I will reveal to the readers another conversation on a developmental topic with a person who has a lot to say but prefers to be anonymous.


Conversations

The national government, through the Philippine Statistics Agency, announced that the inflation rate in 2024 reached 3.2 percent and the economic growth rate was 5.6 percent. The inflation rate for food was 4.4 percent. 


The inflation rate

In law, this is a common phrase: Justice delayed is justice denied. In, monitoring projects this could be a common phrase: project delayed is progress denied. 

Delays

     Last week's column deserves a second helping. I talked about the other side of many big ticket, multi-billion peso projects. For a region that has seldom experienced the simultaneous implementation of major projects that cost several billion pesos  each, this is a new experience.  The residents are amazed at the rash of projects suddenly under implementation. But the problem, as I mentioned, in previous issues is the interconnection among them in addition to their inherent weaknesses. 

More on the Other Side and its Consequences

The term “conflict of interest” keeps popping up when there is talk of government officials who amass wealth while they are in office. While there are laws prohibiting officials from making decisions on matters that affect them financially, this practice still dominates the landscape of public administration. 

Conflict of Interest

It is surprising how government agencies behave in the face of a crisis and adversity. And how it fails to take addvantage of opportunities; how common sense have departed the established procedures in the planning and implementation of projects.

The Things I Learned the Past Year

This column offered, in past issues, constructive criticisms of the current administration. In literary discourse this is termed as being a “devil’s advocate” -- exposing weaknesses and faults but also praising when such accolade is due. 


Is the writing already on the wall?

From many angles, 2024 was a revelation for Eastern Visayas from the economic and political sides. The region continues to witness the construction of many big-ticket projects particularly in the first District of Leyte, the region's center of economic growth. Its political leaders are prominent in Congress's ongoing quadcom and related committee hearings. 


It’s a Wrap

I AM BACK: Atty Buenaventura Go-Soco Jr. Column

I AM BACK COLUMN: Atty. Buenaventura Go-Soco Jr.

I AM BACK

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