Has the US forsaken the Philippines?

By JoeAm The question was asked of me on Facebook: WHY has the US forsaken the Philippines? Forsaken means “abandoned or deserted”. My answer was that I didn’t think ‘forsaken’ was the right word, but the question is worth looking into. To do this, I’ll challenge you to try to see events through American eyes, even … Continue reading

JoeAm issues his Year Two report card on President Duterte’s Administraton

By JoeAm Rappler put out a poll on Twitter asking readers to issue a Year Two Report Card for President Duterte on the following subjects: Eradicating poverty and hunger Fixing Metro Manila transport and traffic Getting rid of corruption Improving health care services and facilities Strengthening foreign relations Promoting gender rights and equality Protecting Philippine … Continue reading

Here is an idea. Build a Philippine military/industrial simplex.

By JoeAm I know simplex has a geometric connotation, but I use it to imply a simple complex. Joke lang. The US military industrial complex won World War II and threatened to become such a driving force behind US foreign policy that protests arose to smash it down a bit. But it is for sure … Continue reading

Could the Duterte appeasement policy on the WPS be correct?

By JoeAm A recent article here by Chemrock explored how the Philippines ‘lost’ the West Philippine Sea (WPS) to China. There were two prominent historical moments that led to the loss: (1) The Philippines kicking out US bases in 1991, and (2) President Arroyo’s appeasement program. Other mistakes were made under President Aquino that aggravated … Continue reading

The low-down on The West Philippines Sea

By Chemrock In his column in Manila Times 18 Jun 2018, Rigoberto Tiglao wrote “Yes, Senate must investigate how Aquino, Trillanes and Del Rosario lost Panatag (Scarborough Shoal)”. For a long time now I have since given up on Tiglao’s writings which are biased and border on fraudulence and fakery. His toxic penmanship spoils the … Continue reading