When military is undisciplined, failure follows

Posted by JoeAm on April 2, 2015 · 258 Comments 

There is always some risk when I overlay American ways on Filipino ways. For one thing, it is often okay for there to be two different ways. No problem. But I think in the matter of military discipline, the codes are universal. So I will overlay my own American experiences on what I observed during … Continue reading →

Filed under Citizenship/Patriotism, Crime/Corruption, Foreign Affairs and Defense

How the Nacionalista Party can regain prominence in the Philippines

Posted by JoeAm on March 31, 2015 · 158 Comments 

The Nacionalista Party (NP) has not been at the forefront of Philippine government, in the executive office, for some time. Let us assume we are in NP President Manny Villar’s shoes. How would we develop a game plan? As we will see, it is a tad problematic. But before getting to that, let’s get some background … Continue reading →

Filed under Citizenship/Patriotism, Philippine Government, Philippine Politics

Bangsamoro Basic Law – Managing Risks

Posted by JoeAm on March 29, 2015 · 269 Comments 

By Pinoy in Europe PART 1: INTRODUCTION The purpose of the BBL is to finally put an end to decades, even centuries of conflict in the Muslim-dominated southern regions of the Philippines. It was made in the hope of empowering the region and ending conflict by increasing affluence. This is a great hope and important … Continue reading →

Filed under Citizenship/Patriotism, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government

The Philippines is in great shape. It’s in the numbers.

Posted by JoeAm on March 26, 2015 · 448 Comments 

We often complain about the way things are in the Philippines. We grouse about the politics, the lousy tabloid media, the poverty, the poor storm preparation, the trash and over-fishing, the corruption, the murderous rebels, the crazy bishops, the congestion, the electricity, the slow bandwidth. Today looks a lot like yesterday, and we don’t figure there will … Continue reading →

Filed under Citizenship/Patriotism, Economy, Family/Parenting/Children, Philippine Government

Are anti-Aquino forces playing into the hands of China in the Mamasapano debacle?

Posted by JoeAm on March 24, 2015 · 286 Comments 

  By Yvonne Let me start by stating that I expected a public outcry on the Mamasapano debacle due to the unprecedented loss of lives among our PNP-SAF personnel who were on a mission to capture, or neutralize, high value terrorists. The chance to get three long-wanted, violent criminals in a single police operation was … Continue reading →

Filed under China, Citizenship/Patriotism, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Philippine Government, Philippine Politics