Will Grace Poe deal Philippine sea rights to China?

Posted by JoeAm on July 19, 2015 · 150 Comments 

Politics is a scurrilous business when money causes people to sway from principle. Principle, of course, is all we the people have to protect us from scoundrels and self-dealers. That’s what laws do, translate all the principles into terms that are fair and reasonable and protective of our best interests. Politics in the US is not … Continue reading →

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

Why Torre de Manila should be built all the way to the sky

Posted by JoeAm on July 14, 2015 · 353 Comments 

I’m sorry, I don’t grasp this emotional outrage about a condo high rise. I fail to see the sacrilege. Of course, I also defended President Aquino not attending the arriving of the coffins, so it is for sure me who is out of step with the rallying masses. Beyond the outrage, I also don’t understand the Supreme … Continue reading →

Category Culture and Arts, Economy, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government, Religion

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