The Philippine Constitution: is it set in cement or is it a living, growing document?

Posted by JoeAm on July 2, 2015 · 44 Comments 

The Supreme Court of the United States last week ruled on two ground-breaking cases, one preserving President Obama’s national health care program, the other permitting same-sex marriages. The rulings were groundbreaking because they were “liberal” findings among a court stacked by former presidents to be conservative. What happened? Why? What does it mean to the … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Culture and Arts, Education, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government

Re-inventing the Senate in 2016 and 2019

Posted by JoeAm on June 30, 2015 · 67 Comments 

Let’s look at the senators who are up for re-election in 2016 and 2019 and see if there is a strategy that can be articulated that points to achievement-oriented law-writing in support of a fast-rising Philippines. It seems to this observer that a part of the drag on Philippine success is weak law-making. The Senate … Continue reading →

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

Is the Condonation Doctrine unconstitutional?

Posted by JoeAm on June 25, 2015 · 98 Comments 

Is the Condonation Doctrine unconstitutional? And should the Supreme Court revisit its decision in G.R. L-11959? By Yvonne Much has been said about the condonation doctrine. This subject has come into public awareness and intense scrutiny when Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, Jr. invoked the condonation doctrine to stop his suspension as ordered by the Ombudsman in connection with … Continue reading →

Category Crime/Corruption, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government

On being smart and capable, but no character

Posted by JoeAm on June 17, 2015 · 71 Comments 

by Andrew Lim Browsing online through the day’s news, two seemingly unconnected articles caught my eye: Greece , already on serious economic lifeline five years ago seems headed for default on its massive loans from the EU and IMF (“Greece debt talks collapse; default dangerously closer“)  and the other one is a  column by Rigoberto … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Crime/Corruption, Culture and Arts, Economy, Laws and Ethics

Would the Senate kindly stop interfering with Executive and write some needed laws?

Posted by JoeAm on June 13, 2015 · 54 Comments 

The Senate reminds me of a nagging mother-in-law, always feeling a need to insert herself into other people’s affairs. She justifies this nosy interference by citing the phrase “in aid of legislation” or various inane legalisms, and then proceeds to interfere. Here’s the deal. Executive leads by providing government services and defending the nation. Legislative writes the laws and … Continue reading →

Category Foreign Affairs and Defense, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government