Filipino populists are weak leaders

Analysis and Opinion By Joe America The Philippines is run by populists. The Senate is full of them. The President is one, a haunt of history elected by hook or crook. The former President is also one, “just one of us, rough and ready”. Even the House reps are populists, locally. Dynastic barons who easily … Continue reading →

The Clock is Ticking for President Marcos

Analysis and Opinion By Joe America A nation is like an aircraft carrier with a banca engine. It moves and changes direction slowly. Or not at all if there are winds and waves like corruption, incompetence, and impunity. A lot of government officials in the Philippines seem to prefer little change because they are rich … Continue reading →

A New Leftist Agenda

Analysis and opinion. By JoeAm By my definition, a leftist is a liberal with a pro-worker agenda. A liberal is a person who tilts in favor of government helping citizens to realize their potential rather than leaving this to the haphazard and self-dealing private sector. In the Philippines, leftists are 1950s holdovers, unable to adapt … Continue reading →

Ranking the greatest Philippine Presidents: What criteria to use?

Analysis and Opinion By Joe America A new ranking of American presidents is out based on a survey led by two US political science professors. Here’s an article about it: NEW SURVEY OF SCHOLARS FINDS LINCOLN REMAINS AMERICA’S GREATEST PRESIDENT This excerpt considers recent presidents: “The survey shows that while presidential scholars continue to consider … Continue reading →

A GOOD, GENTLE MAN

by Wilfredo G. Villanueva General Ely in brown shirt stands behind the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary on the left. Father Robert Reyes, the “running priest,” celebrates Holy Mass at Plaza Roma in the center of Intramuros, facing Comelec headquarters. Responding to observations that we are few, Gen. Ely is unperturbed. “It’s not the … Continue reading →