How to get to competence in the Philippines?

Analysis and Opinion By JoeAm This blog is different. Rather than providing answers, I’ll provide a question. Answers may or may not be found in the discussion section of the blog article. We’ll see. Executive Cabinet agencies in the Philippines are notoriously incompetent, even as every web site for these agencies touts their accomplishments. It’s … Continue reading

Laws and Outlaws

Analysis and Opinion By JoeAm Outlaws are what cowboys called criminals in the American Wild West. Generally they were the band of robbers, rustlers, and killers on the run. In the Philippines, we call them LGU heads, legislators, and presidents. That’s a joke, eh? Well, maybe. A lot of people in the Philippines don’t respect … Continue reading

The Philippine Church of Moral Courage

Analysis and Opinion By JoeAm I’m going to charter a new church in the Philippines. The ones now are doing a lousy job. They are more gangs than places where people enter broken and leave empowered to do good. One is a horrible abuser of young girls, another is a set of robots whose free … Continue reading

What will you do if Marcos wins?

Analysis and Opinion By Joe America The Philippines is not just its President. It is lands and seas and people, businesses and rebels. It’s a huge ship in the Pacific largely going nowhere. What can Marcos do that Duterte has not? Kill innocents? Jail people for spite? Punish television stations that are disloyal? Coddle corruption? … Continue reading

Free speech and cancel culture

Analysis and Opinion By Joe America Free speech is the idea, enshrined in laws, that people ought not be restrained in what they say because ideas help social development. But free has an asterisk attached that says free also means responsible. You can’t make bomb jokes in an airport, or threaten someone with physical harm … Continue reading