Democracy is in a death spiral in the Philippines

Posted by JoeAm on July 3, 2017 · 176 Comments 

By Joe America It may be in a death spiral elsewhere, too. The killer is populism. Populism in politics is a dynamic that occurs when politicians stop acting with constitutional integrity and start operating to satisfy large blocks of voters who demand, not intelligence or reason or knowledge, but emotional satisfaction. Knowledge is the foundation … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Economy, Education, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government

Australia steps up in Asia, and in the Philippines

Posted by JoeAm on June 28, 2017 · 151 Comments 

By Joe America I personally have tremendous respect for Australia, the government, and for Australians, the people. Australia is a democracy that favors debate over dogmatism. Her people favor reason over religion or emotion. Not that Aussies can’t be of faith, or passionate, or dogmatic. They can. Opinions are often hard and sharply spoken . … Continue reading →

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

The De Lima Demeanor

Posted by Wilfredo G. Villanueva on June 22, 2017 · 140 Comments 

  By Wilfredo G. Villanueva She looked at me with prosecutorial but friendly eyes while I asked her about the elephant in the room: “For whom does your heart beat now?” “No one,” she said matter-of-factly without surprise or resentment. After all, it was the first time she had seen me and she didn’t know … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government

Killing Jose Rizal once again

Posted by JoeAm on June 20, 2017 · 82 Comments 

By Joe America Jose Rizal is best found in his writings, in his ideas, his resistance to oppression, his recognition of indolence and how poverty and disenfranchisement create it, and his belief in Filipino independence and self-determination. He was a genius, an artist, a lover, an inventor, and a hero by being what a lot … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government

My Father and Duterte

Posted by Wilfredo G. Villanueva on June 18, 2017 · 33 Comments 

By Wilfredo G. Villanueva Disturbing, Duterte as father of the nation. I speak only for myself and do not carry express authority, but like the boy in the movie who says, “I see dead people,” I also I have a special sense. I’ll call it simply as a magnet. A magnet for good things, especially … Continue reading →

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