VP Robredo would lead a weak LP opposition

Posted by JoeAm on December 12, 2016 · 60 Comments 

By Joe America Well, to be sure, VP Robredo is and always will be strong, but the idea that LP can form a resistance to the deadly and autocratic ways of the Duterte Administration is an idea that is weak. The Philippines is stuck in a nightmare of death, disunity and economic drift. Influential people see this but … Continue reading →

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

The Philippines leads the world into post-truth modernism. It’s ugly.

Posted by JoeAm on November 19, 2016 · 125 Comments 

By Joe America In the post-truth world we live in, we define our values according to utility, and so we paint the factual world around us as we need to in order to get what we want to get. Okay, okay, I know that is vague, a lot of words chasing an idea but not … Continue reading →

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

Dear President Duterte: “Ummmm, any chance you could up your game?”

Posted by JoeAm on November 13, 2016 · 124 Comments 

By Joe America Decisions have consequences, Mr. President. For example, if others see Filipinos as rude, OFWs have a harder time getting jobs. If the nation is considered a dangerous bastion of killer cops with no respect for international conventions, then investors don’t want to bring their money here. I think you would agree that Filipinos … Continue reading →

Category Crime/Corruption, Economy, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government

The Philippine Legislature: Heathens at the Pulpit

Posted by JoeAm on November 6, 2016 · 147 Comments 

By Joe America A few articles ago, I did a story about faith. The gist was that idolatry and faith, not facts and acts, are propping up President Duterte. A reader was sharp enough to point out that democracy is also a faith. My first reaction was, “huh?”, but as I thought about it, I … Continue reading →

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

We will lose all of the West Philippine Sea

Posted by JoeAm on October 13, 2016 · 330 Comments 

By Andrew Lim President Duterte does not understand leverage Don’t blink, the entire West Philippine Sea and its resources will soon be gone. China’s nine-dash line map will be applied, and the fruit of Duterte’s pivot will be economic concessions that may appear substantial on surface but are actually a miniscule percentage of the value … Continue reading →

Category China, Citizenship/Patriotism, Ecology/Global Warming, Economy, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Philippine Government