Way too many Filipinos are looking for culprits; grief is personal

Posted by JoeAm on January 30, 2015 · 159 Comments 

I got into a twitter argument with popular columnist Boo Chanco over President Aquino’s decision to welcome Japanese investors to the Philippines rather than welcome war casualties for burial. Boo was livid about it. I like Boo. He did a story about one of my blogs long ago. He thinks earnestly. Blogger Cocoy Dayao explained that this … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Philippine Government, USA/Americans

Education, kids and the culture of impunity

Posted by JoeAm on January 27, 2015 · 51 Comments 

I ask this as follow-up to questions that Society member Juana Pilipinas fired up about how to end submission as a way of life that feeds into the culture of impunity here in the Philippines. How do we get to candid expression focused on reason, not emotions? In the Philippines, emotions seem bi-polar, swinging widely between: (a)  insecurity, fear or … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Culture and Arts, Education, Family/Parenting/Children, Philippine Government

Free Mayor Jun Jun Binay!

Posted by JoeAm on January 26, 2015 · 48 Comments 

Free Mayor Jun Jun Binay!   I agree with Senator Nancy Binay, today’s meeting of the Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations (Blue Ribbon Committee) was a farce. The committee on accountability was wholly unaccountable. Here’s who showed up: GUINGONA III, Teofisto L. (Chairperson) TRILLANES IV, Antonio “Sonny” F. PIMENTEL III, Aquilino “Koko” … Continue reading →

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

Does mercy and compassion extend to the corrupt?

Posted by JoeAm on January 11, 2015 · 154 Comments 

by Andrew Lim The 2015 Philippine Papal visit is themed “mercy and compassion.” On its official website the rationale is very explicit: “Pope Francis will visit the Philippines primarily to comfort Filipinos devastated by the typhoon and the earthquake that hit the Visayas.” “In his Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis proclaims that the Church … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Crime/Corruption, Laws and Ethics, Religion

Vice President Binay and the rage of the Middle Class

Posted by JoeAm on January 8, 2015 · 203 Comments 

The Philippines is a democracy in transition and it is moving faster than some people think. The transition is from economic poverty to economic wealth, and from a feudal democracy that favors the few to a forthright democracy that works for common good. The catalyst may be President Aquino, but the transition is out of … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Economy, Philippine Government, Philippine Politics