by Glen Palaca Hubahib, Esq.
Game Theory:
The sudden and intriguing change of heart of Senators Joel Villanueva and Chiz Escudero can be analyzed using the “prisoners’ dilemma” in The Game Theory. According to Britanica.com, “The Game Theory” is a branch of applied Mathematics which is a tool for analyzing situations in which parties make decisions that are interdependent. This interdependence causes each player to consider the other player’s possible decisions, or strategies, in formulating strategy. A solution to a game describes the optimal decisions of the players, who may have similar, opposed, or mixed interests, and the outcomes that may result from these decisions.
Real, John Nash (L). Russel Crowe (R) plays John Nash in “The Beautiful Mind”. (THE WRAP)
John Nash revolutionized and made famous the game theory by adding his concept of “Nash Equilibrium” and won the 1994 Nobel Prize in Economic Science. Add to that the movie, “The beautiful mind” starring Russell Crowe. Yes, the same guy who played “Gladiator” and “The Next Three Days” among others.
A combo shot of Philippine Senators Estrada, Escudero, Villanueva & Marcoleta. (gulfnews.com)
So how does the ‘prisoners dilemma fit the situation of Villanueva and Escudero? Accordingly, this shows how two rational individuals, acting in their self-interest, often choose to betray each other. Ironically and funny, if they choose to trust and cooperate the overall outcome would be worse for them.
The Classic Senate Scenario:
Accordingly, someone from high places allegedly called to offer in exchange for cooperation. This is still debatable, but Sen. Jinggoy Estrada revealed that someone called him to defect to the other block.
1. Betray (Defect) – You betray and defect to the other side and your presumptive case will be watered-down or outrightly dismissed.
2. Stay silent (Remain loyal to your group) – a case will be filed resulting to you being arrested. For example, the plunder case of Sens. Jinggoy Estrada and Dante Marcoleta, the ICC warrant of Senators Bato De La Rosa and Bong Go, and the giving of hard time to the businesses of the family of Senators Mark and Camille Villar.
From purely logical and self-interest standpoint, betraying yields a better personal outcome regardless of what the other person does and is considered a dominant strategy. That is why we can always see betrayal in Philippines politics which was accurately described by President Joseph Estrada as “weather, weather lang”.
Now, what separates from animals and humans is morality. Then in the Philippines, we are going to the dogs.
Birthright citizenship:
Finally, the children of illegal immigrants that were born in the United States can have a sigh or relief. This settles once and for all who are the citizens of the United States.
The US Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that the Constitution guarantees automatic birthright citizenship to virtually all children born in the United States. Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the court’s majority 6-3 opinion, cited among others the “ancient and universal” rule of citizenship by birth alone. “Citizenship, then and now, was the right to have rights — to freely participate in our political community. The Framers of the Fourteenth Amendment extended that promise to ‘every free-born person in this land,'” . . . “We keep that promise today.” (from the wires of npr.org)
US Supreme Court by Terry W Sanders 2024 (lavocedinewyork.com)[Note: Glen Palaca Hubahib is admitted to practice law in California and the Philippines. He also holds an Electrical Engineering and MBA degrees. He is a regular resource person of the top rated “Open Forum” program of Ardy Araneta-Batoy & Gloria Leodivica Araneta at station DYTR. The article is for information only and is not legal advice. Send your comments to the author at hubahibg@gmail.com.]