Mayor Rodrigo Duterte: “Elect a real Filipino as President”

Posted by JoeAm on June 9, 2015 · 151 Comments 

I’ve been putting off writing about Mayor Rodrigo Duterte because I could not come up with a “hook”, a take on him that was unique. We all know he is brash and knows no authority other than his own, and we know that he does not like criminals but may be willing to break the laws to … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Crime/Corruption, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Politics

Has VP Binay hijacked the Philippines through the Makati Sister Cities program?

Posted by JoeAm on June 5, 2015 · 205 Comments 

A great many people believe that Vice President Jejomar Binay does not have the proper character requirements to be the President of the Philippines. Even if criminal accusations against him are not yet upheld in court, they are so pronounced and horrendous as to stain the nation’s reputation and ability to do good works if he becomes President. … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Crime/Corruption, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government, Philippine Politics

The “big bang” theory of Philippine social dynamics

Posted by JoeAm on June 2, 2015 · 139 Comments 

When we look at events and see two trains collide or economic growth slip or a Senate investigation, we see the tangibles. In astronomical terms, they are like the planets and stars. And that is what we mostly argue about. But in between, surrounding and a part of the tangibles are some hidden forces and mysterious … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Crime/Corruption, Culture and Arts, Laws and Ethics

The Philippines: rising to leadership in Asia

Posted by JoeAm on May 31, 2015 · 136 Comments 

Most of Asia is free. China is not free. North Korea is not free. Other nations have more citizen participation in their affairs. Viet Nam is socialist. Malaysia is a high control republic, Indonesia a high-control federation. Japan and South Korea are self-contained, disciplined democratic societies. The Philippines is different. The democratic nation is loud and … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Economy, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Philippine Government

Their own worst enemy: the Binays and the extreme left

Posted by JoeAm on May 28, 2015 · 181 Comments 

By Binays, I mean Jejomar, Junjun, Elenita, Nancy and Abigail, those family members previously or now entrusted with citizen well-being, several of whom – from all available evidence – used those positions to enrich and empower themselves. By extreme left, I mean communists and ideologues who believe the only path forward is destruction of the current … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Crime/Corruption, Philippine Politics