The National Village

Posted by JoeAm on September 9, 2020 · 13 Comments 

Analysis and Opinion By Irineo B. R. Salizar Joe noted in 2018 that Philippine culture is not damaged, but fluid. Clearly it is: more personal than institutional. Lots of Filipinos feel uncomfortable with formal institutions; feel more comfortable with personal arrangements like utang na loob and patronage. The President acts personalistic, like a village chief. … Continue reading →

Category Culture and Arts, Economy, Education, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government, Religion

The American Presidential Election and the Philippines

Posted by JoeAm on August 31, 2020 · 93 Comments 

Analysis and Opinion By Joe America The American presidential election may significantly affect both Philippine and US policies versus China. We often hear the criticism that President Obama failed to bring the US into Asia to counter China. We have not yet heard from Democratic candidate Biden on the subject of China. Trade, nada. Open … Continue reading →

Category Economy, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government, USA/Americans

The Presidential speech Filipinos need

Posted by JoeAm on July 11, 2020 · 55 Comments 

Opinion By Joe America We are going about this all the wrong way. We are dealing with issues. We need to deal with some fundamentals. THEN deal with issues. We’ll handle them better. Rather than analyze our condition, I will let some fictional President do the talking. He can get the ideas across better. * … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Economy, Education, Philippine Government

There’s no such thing as “crony capitalism”; it’s “crony corruption”

Posted by JoeAm on June 19, 2020 · 205 Comments 

Opinion By Joe America The term “crony capitalism” pastes an unfortunate, calming label, on a very bad economic situation. A crony is a powerful person who has an advantage by being known to other cronies. They collect as a gang and pass favors and advantages to one another, thereby locking out competent people not having … Continue reading →

Category China, Economy, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government

Understanding how the Philippines sees the US and China. They’re different.

Posted by JoeAm on June 4, 2020 · 11 Comments 

Analysis and Opinion By Joe America It is common to broadly paint Philippine alliances with China and the United States as competitive or similar. They are not, and my goal here is to explain the difference. You can add your views in the discussion section of the blog. The Philippines has three strong associations with … Continue reading →

Category China, Economy, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Philippine Government, USA/Americans