The elegance of China’s island strategy

Posted by JoeAm on April 11, 2015 · 185 Comments 

It was reported by US intelligence services that China is actively building Coast Guard ships. It is likely that these ships will be deployed to the reclaimed “islands” that formalize China’s “sovereign domestic territory” in the South China Sea. That territory includes contested outposts within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone. By using Coast Guard ships, China accomplishes … Continue reading →

Category China, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government, USA/Americans

The ethics of impunity

Posted by JoeAm on April 7, 2015 · 273 Comments 

Often I overlay my observations about the Philippines with personal history, that being American, corporate, and socially liberal, touched with military, sports, travels and family. Often, I am met with the pointed point that “we do it differently here, Joe”, or its obverse, “the US is the same way.” Well, if I am here to learn … Continue reading →

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

Bangsamoro Basic Law – Managing Risks

Posted by JoeAm on March 29, 2015 · 269 Comments 

By Pinoy in Europe PART 1: INTRODUCTION The purpose of the BBL is to finally put an end to decades, even centuries of conflict in the Muslim-dominated southern regions of the Philippines. It was made in the hope of empowering the region and ending conflict by increasing affluence. This is a great hope and important … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government

20 ways to demean the Senate

Posted by JoeAm on March 21, 2015 · 252 Comments 

Each of 20 senators who signed the “Poe Report on Mamasapano” is complicit in attempts to deceive Filipino citizens. They have taken the public’s trust, in the name of fact finding, and twisted it for opportunistic reasons. Here’s what they agreed to: That the primary responsibility for the 44 SAF deaths should be placed on … Continue reading →

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

Senator Grace Poe and her impeachment remarks

Posted by JoeAm on March 19, 2015 · 377 Comments 

  by crispinbasilio As Sen. Grace Poe read out loud the executive summary of the Senate Mamasapano report, JoeAm wondered why she mentioned impeachment at all, when the report presumably made no mention of it. This writer wondered, too. The following might help put recent events in perspective… Coincidence? First, notice how the approval rating of Pres. Aquino … Continue reading →

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