Philippines economic freedom / Indonesia infrastructure projects / Thailand transparency assessments

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The powerful escaping crime hurt Philippines' economic freedom.  “Corruption, bureaucratic red tape, and preferential treatment of the powerful compounded increasing trade barriers to pull down the Philippines in the latest annual gauge of economic freedom. The country dropped three places to rank 73rd out of 184 nations included in the Heritage Foundation’s Economic Freedom Index this year”

Ian Nicolas Cigaral/Philstar: https://www.philstar.com/business/2021/03/04/2081950/powerful-escaping-crime-hurt-philippines-economic-freedom  

 

Indonesian governor’s arrest in road project points to more tainted contracts.  “Environmental activists are calling on [Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK)] to expand the investigation to include other infrastructure projects approved by Nurdin [the governor of South Sulawesi province, arrested for alleged corruption in an upcoming road project in the province]”

Wahyu Chandra/Mongabay: https://news.mongabay.com/2021/03/indonesian-governors-arrest-in-road-project-points-to-more-tainted-contracts/  

 

Where is Thailand’s Transparency?.  “[Both Corruption Perception Index and Thailand’s own Integrty and Transparency Assessments] recommend that Thailand emphasise and build on public information disclosure and accessibility, especially in regard to government procurement, so as to prevent bribery and other conflict of interest issues among public officials.”

Bangkok Post: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/pr/2079007/where-is-thailands-transparency-  

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