Who is running the Philippines?

Posted by JoeAm on March 20, 2020 · 273 Comments 

By Joe America The President’s latest speech, on tape and edited, did a complete turnabout from a speech a few days before. The first turned the LGUs (Cities) loose, gave them the reins, instructed them to do what they had to do to shut down the virus and keep their cities functioning. The second chastised … Continue reading →

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

A bold program to bring the Philippines into the modern world

Posted by JoeAm on March 9, 2020 · 265 Comments 

By Joe America Every national election represents an opportunity to be bold. It would be wonderful to see boldness in the spirit of the Constitution, rather than the undermining of it. I hope in 2022, candidates will take on some or all of the following steps aimed at bringing the Philippines into the modern world … Continue reading →

Category China, Crime/Corruption, Economy, Education, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government, Technology/Internet, USA/Americans

Standing alone after VFA; what it takes

Posted by JoeAm on February 14, 2020 · 193 Comments 

By Joe America President Duterte has cancelled the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States, to the surprise of the US and many other people. How can a nation facing off against China toss aside the most powerful military backstop in the world? Well, it’s easy if you aren’t really facing off against China. … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Education, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government

An accidental achievement: Independence

Posted by JoeAm on October 14, 2019 · 24 Comments 

By JoeAm The Duterte government in 2016 set out to establish strong relations with China. It may have been ideologically pure of intent, the aim to get more infrastructure built quickly and closer ties to the huge economy right over there to the west. Or it may have been pragmatic, repaying an election debt or … Continue reading →

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

US senators speak. Philippine senators and DDS have apoplexy.

Posted by JoeAm on September 30, 2019 · 14 Comments 

By JoeAm A few US senators have been critical of the Philippines for keeping Senator De Lima in jail. They proposed legislation banning from the US those responsible for her jailing. The law may never see the light of day but the reaction in the Philippines offers a striking lesson. It does not take much … Continue reading →

Category China, Citizenship/Patriotism, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government, USA/Americans