Have Filipinos sold their souls to family bloodlines? And Mr. Aquino?

Posted by JoeAm on August 22, 2014 · 46 Comments 

“The world is in a constant conspiracy against the brave. It’s the age-old struggle: the roar of the crowd on the one side, and the voice of your conscience on the other.” [General Douglas MacArthur] An Aquino family endorsement of Jejomar Binay for president, along with the Aquino sisters’ recent off hand remark that they could … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Family/Parenting/Children, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government, Philippine Politics

Why President Aquino is right to push back against the Supreme Court

Posted by JoeAm on August 20, 2014 · 55 Comments 

Context is everything. When we want to judge something accurately, we need to get the context right or we are likely to end up with the wrong judgment. I think that is broadly what has happened regarding President Aquino’s “push-back” against the Supreme Court on the Court’s DAP ruling. And his comments about a second … Continue reading →

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

Of second terms and judicial overreach

Posted by JoeAm on August 14, 2014 · 66 Comments 

One would think that a constitution ought to be a stabilizing document, a force for clarity and reason and good behavior. But the Philippine Constitution is not. It is a tool vested interests manipulate to get their way. You see, that is the problem with adopting American style democratic constitutional processes in a nation has … Continue reading →

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

Filipino ethics: inside out

Posted by JoeAm on August 12, 2014 · 38 Comments 

It struck me that I am a ship out of water when I argue for ethics in journalism, here, in the Philippines. Like other cultural constructs, the matter of “ethics” has a different shading in the Philippines. It is not comprehended in the same way that westerners grasp it. The definition is more along the … Continue reading →

Category Blogging/Journalism, Citizenship/Patriotism, Crime/Corruption, Culture and Arts, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government

Rappler journalistic ethics: modern or just plain bad?

Posted by JoeAm on August 3, 2014 · 83 Comments 

I will be doing several articles about Philippine media. Philippine media play a huge role in shaping the Philippines. I believe their output too often works against the well-being of the nation. So I figure it is time to push back against the press for contributing to strife and instability. The Rappler story I will dissect … Continue reading →

Category Blogging/Journalism, Citizenship/Patriotism, Culture and Arts, Laws and Ethics