The Philippines: New thinkers wanted

Posted by josephivo on June 7, 2015 · 211 Comments 

by josephivo Introduction Imagine the year 500,000 CE. What a nice world, plenty of natural wonders. But no more humans left to admire it. Am I too optimistic? Is 5,000 CE more realistic for this scenario? Or after all, maybe we’ll find the number pi is no longer irrational? The speed of light no more the maximum speed? Will … Continue reading →

Category Culture and Arts, Education, Laws and Ethics, Religion

Eureka! I have found it! Why the Philippines is this way!

Posted by JoeAm on May 24, 2015 · 156 Comments 

It is right there in plain sight, for all of us to see. For the smartest minds of the Philippines to read and gloss over without even thinking about what it means. Consider all that we’ve talked about here over the years. What are the main drags on Philippine success? The culture of impunity that routes … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Crime/Corruption, Culture and Arts, Education, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government, Religion

A Filipino ACLU and lawyering in the Philippines

Posted by JoeAm on May 21, 2015 · 304 Comments 

  by Lance Corporal X Part I: The forces against justice Around the time I was in the Philippines, the Mamasapano fiasco was then Dinagat. Or more precisely Cebu, since the murders, shoot-outs had already happened, PNP and AFP working together captured their man. I’ll let you dig into the Ecleo story if you wish (“22 … Continue reading →

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

“Free the Philippines! Join the Liberation Party!”

Posted by JoeAm on April 16, 2015 · 138 Comments 

That’s the rallying cry I imagine would attach to a group of middle class and enlightened upper class Filipino citizens who believe the nation is not yet free in the fullest, richest sense. How is the Philippines not free? Enrichment opportunities are bound in ways that favor the entitled. The poor are bound by lack of … Continue reading →

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

Transparency does not mean data, it means dealing straight: DepEd case study

Posted by JoeAm on April 14, 2015 · 143 Comments 

I started this blog as an update on the Department of Education (DepEd), but a broader lesson emerged from the study. This will be a case study of DepEd’s “transparency” fulfillment, and what we learn can be applied to other departments as well. The resources for this article are all available at DepEd’s web site. As we … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Education, Philippine Government