Federalism: Open Discussion

Posted by JoeAm on July 19, 2018 · 82 Comments 

By JoeAm Reader Jose Guevarra poses some excellent questions. Rather than write an article, I will post his comment as a lead-in to open discussion about the subject: I think it’s time to talk about this again, now that there is actually a draft charter with Congress. Like it or not, we have to think about … Continue reading →

Category Economy, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government

Draconian amendments to The Human Security Act

Posted by JoeAm on July 11, 2018 · 70 Comments 

By JoeAm Normally, I find laws to be well-intended if a little strange at times, as in the Philippines, laden with needless details and burdened with Latin. But the proposed amendments to The Human Security Act are scary. They will give law enforcement wider latitude to accuse people of terrorism, and will add the death … Continue reading →

Category Crime/Corruption, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government

Idolatry: The Roots of the Duterte Phenomenon

Posted by edgar lores on July 9, 2018 · 186 Comments 

By Edgar Lores “Idolatry is really not good for anyone. Not even the idols.” — John Bach Introduction We have speculated a great deal about the possible causes of the Philippine cultural malaise. We know that a social disease complex, like an individual one, has many causes. A human disease can be physical or mental. … Continue reading →

Category Culture and Arts, Education, Family/Parenting/Children, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government

“Brains, ability, character, and drive”

Posted by JoeAm on June 22, 2018 · 111 Comments 

By JoeAm In my last article, I wrote that the Philippine’s average IQ is lower than its Asian neighbors. I wondered if the nation is smart enough to figure out how to get smarter. Here is a check-list of possible reasons why the Philippines lags behind other Asian states in average IQ: Nutrition (brains and … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Culture and Arts, Education, Family/Parenting/Children, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government, Technology/Internet

The majority senators are frozen in silence

Posted by JoeAm on June 15, 2018 · 32 Comments 

By JoeAm Majority senators are stuck between a rock and a hard place. That accounts for their silence during all the Independence Day chatter about China’s harassment of Filipino fishermen. In fact, they have been silent on a lot of important issues. Although they look to President Duterte for certain favors in the future, they … Continue reading →

Category China, Citizenship/Patriotism, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government, Philippine Politics