Shift the China burden to the US; take care of the Philippines . . . and look east

Posted by JoeAm on April 19, 2015 · 236 Comments 

The Society’s Chief Wildman, formerly known as Pinoy in Europe, drops off more insight in a day than most of us can do in a month. Well, I suppose it helps that he types 200 words per minute and his brain runs at 500. My keyboard is smokin’ at 50 WPM and my brain starts rattling and vibrating … Continue reading →

Filed under China, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Philippine Government, USA/Americans

Is Senator Poe a trapo or just a friend to VP Binay?

Posted by JoeAm on April 17, 2015 · 298 Comments 

What is a trapo, and is Senator Grace Poe one? Here’s the best explanation of the term that I’ve read: trapo, n, a traditional politician believed to be corrupt. Trapo is also a blend word or fusion, combining the first syllables of TRA-ditional PO-litician. In the beginning, Philippine journalists and “street parliamentarians” (that is, activists) … Continue reading →

Filed under Citizenship/Patriotism, Crime/Corruption, Philippine Politics

“Free the Philippines! Join the Liberation Party!”

Posted by JoeAm on April 16, 2015 · 138 Comments 

That’s the rallying cry I imagine would attach to a group of middle class and enlightened upper class Filipino citizens who believe the nation is not yet free in the fullest, richest sense. How is the Philippines not free? Enrichment opportunities are bound in ways that favor the entitled. The poor are bound by lack of … Continue reading →

Filed under China, Citizenship/Patriotism, Crime/Corruption, Economy, Education, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government, Philippine Politics

Transparency does not mean data, it means dealing straight: DepEd case study

Posted by JoeAm on April 14, 2015 · 143 Comments 

I started this blog as an update on the Department of Education (DepEd), but a broader lesson emerged from the study. This will be a case study of DepEd’s “transparency” fulfillment, and what we learn can be applied to other departments as well. The resources for this article are all available at DepEd’s web site. As we … Continue reading →

Filed under Citizenship/Patriotism, Education, Philippine Government

Senator Trillanes to the rescue!

Posted by JoeAm on April 14, 2015 · 92 Comments 

My first reaction to Senator Trillanes at yesterdays Blue Ribbon Subcommittee was, “oh oh, you are pushing too hard”. I thought pulling out a man classified as “scoundrel” in most books, a certain Delfin Lee, and putting his P200 million extortion charge against Vice President Binay in the headlines, was a little risky. And I … Continue reading →

Filed under Citizenship/Patriotism, Crime/Corruption, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Politics