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

The Philippine Statistics Authority recently announced what it considers good and welcome news—the inflation rate (which is the rate at which prices increased) was down from 2.9 percent in January to 2.1 percent in February. However, in the same press release, this agency admitted that it was only 1.9 percent in September last year. 


The good and the bad news about inflation

I have been watching on YouTube Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), unmask corruption and wasteful spending in the Federal Government of the United States of America. The results of his department’s work, which are nothing short of astounding, are tracked in terms of millions of dollars saved. US citizens can monitor gains in this anti-corruption drive in real time.

Corruption is everywhere

In the past several months and suprisingly even up to this afternoon, I came across information pertaining to practices that I believe do not contribute to the economic growth of Eastern Visayas. 

 What is wrong with us?

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

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

I have heard about the emerging Tacloban Airport Development Project being praised highly. But those who say these things do not know the drama behind its construction. It is always a battle of the positive and the negative like a negative slippage for Phase I of the project, but positives on the other three components being implemented by CAAP and the DPWH. 

The Other side of the Airport

Many adverse comments have been said towards delays in government action. In the local dialect there is a term for delays. Many call it “ginobierno”. There is no sense of urgency. 

 The multi-million cost of inefficiency  

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?

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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