The myth that 16 million DDS are in charge of the Philippine agenda

Posted by JoeAm on May 10, 2020 · 40 Comments 

OPINION By Joe America We often look at leaders like Presidents Trump and Duterte and say they are ‘populists”, as if they are in power for and by the people. But that is a myth. Popularity does not drive either president. Vested interests do. The appeal to popular themes is merely a device, a marketing … Continue reading →

Category China, Economy, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Philippine Government, Philippine Politics

Conspiracy theory 201: How to make sense of the Philippine love for China

Posted by JoeAm on April 26, 2020 · 117 Comments 

OPINION By Joe America When something makes no sense then we are forced to make up our own minds about what is going on based on what we see, pending hearing something sensible from someone we trust. We learned the other day that a Chinese warship aimed its targeting radar on a Philippine Navy ship … Continue reading →

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

A basic look at coronavirus statistics

Posted by JoeAm on April 11, 2020 · 156 Comments 

ANALYSIS By Joe America All of the numbers we will look at are from the Department of Health. Are they perfect? No. Are they the best indicators we have? Yes. The data are current up to April 11, 2020. Chart 1 shows the enduring climb of confirmed coronavirus patients in the Philippines. It shows a … Continue reading →

Category Economy, Education, Philippine Government

The Philippines: fighting a virus with police

Posted by JoeAm on April 6, 2020 · 95 Comments 

By Joe America The Philippines is a tribal “power and privilege” society pretending to be democratic. Or maybe more accurately, it is a democratic republic, by rule book . . . the Constitution . . . but the tribes just don’t get the concept. When a crisis comes to town and the Mayor is tribal, … Continue reading →

Category Culture and Arts, Philippine Government

Free speech is still free in the Philippines, but take care . . .

Posted by JoeAm on April 3, 2020 · 78 Comments 

By Joe America The Philippine National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has summoned 12 people to explain their posts on social media, sending a bit of a Constitutional shudder through the free nation. Atty Chel Diokno will be representing one of the people summoned. He says these are ordinary citizens and the action is a clear … Continue reading →

Category Blogging/Journalism, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government, Technology/Internet