Wilfredo G. Villanueva
Cha Coronel Datu
Juana Pilipinas
Karl Garcia
giancarloangulo
Irineo B. R. Salazar
JPilipinas
karlgarcia
JoeAmHow does the President stop his slide? Propaganda, intimidation or good works?
By Joe America A recent public survey gave President Duterte a 75% satisfaction rating. The result is typically characterized by the President’s spokesmen and much of the press as “very good”. Strong in relation to other presidents. That is one way to look at it, for sure. That’s the political spin, that’s the propaganda. Another … Continue reading
Democracy on the brink in the Philippines
By Joe America Democratic principles and institutions have always been an awkward fit in the Philippines. The nation remains tribal in the sense that people are fulfilled by being a part of a power bloc rather than a part of a system of freedoms and responsibilities. Loyalty to personalities trumps loyalty to principles because people … Continue reading
The (Im)moral Justifications of Duterte’s Anti-drug War
w By Edgar Lores “Human rights are not worthy of the name if they do not protect the people we don’t like as well as those we do.” Trevor Phillips Three ethical doctrines have been asserted to justify President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug war. These are: o The utilitarian doctrine o The ethnocentrism doctrine o The … Continue reading
A modest explanation, and a thank you
Thank you to all who have expressed their understanding and best wishes for me and my family. There are a number of reasons for suspension of the blog. At the root, as many supposed, is a concern for my family’s well-being, cast against the unkindness inspired by a leader who seems to want to use … Continue reading
The great test of Philippine democratic institutions
It is clear that President Rodrigo Duterte has little respect for the rights of individual Filipino citizens. He doesn’t care about the Constitutional promise of safety or the fairness of presumed innocence. He doesn’t care if they die. Furthermore, other individuals, even members of important democratic institutions like the Supreme Court and Senate, are regularly … Continue reading
The Society of Honor by Joe America 