The Philippines: anger rising

Posted by JoeAm on November 18, 2014 · 103 Comments 

I prowl the articles, commentaries and discussion threads of the Inquirer, Rappler and a host of blogs to keep an ear to the  . . . well, not ground . . . but to the social patter. The dialogue threads. One thing I’ve observed is that one can often learn more from the discussion threads, especially … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Crime/Corruption, Philippine Politics

How LP can win with Mar Roxas

Posted by JoeAm on November 16, 2014 · 73 Comments 

I have taken UNA to task for being light on substance, populated by members of questionable character, and mainly a collection of people angling for wins. Not progress. [“UNA: political party or cabal of crooks?“] What about the Liberal Party (LP)? What’s their means and meaning? The LP platform LP was formed by President Mar … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Politics

The politics of tragedy. Yolanda.

Posted by JoeAm on November 13, 2014 · 36 Comments 

“We’ll survive, with or without President Aquino – Yolanda survivors” That headline ran in the Daily Inquirer on November 9, 2014, one of hundreds of articles dealing with the Yolanda impact and recovery a year and a day later. It reflects an enduring opinion held by some who dealt with the crushing tragedy of Yolanda … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Ecology/Global Warming, Philippine Government, Philippine Politics

Game Changers: the Unmasking of VP Binay

Posted by JoeAm on November 9, 2014 · 117 Comments 

Guest article by crispinbasilio Most politicians are survivors. They’re pragmatic. Those who, even now, proclaim undying devotion to Vice President Binay must already, secretly, be formulating a Plan B. (Their Plan A involved putting all their eggs in Binay’s basket. No longer feasible, that.) A game changer is an event that significantly changes an existing situation. … Continue reading →

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

Jojo Binay: last man standing, the dying gasp of the Aguinaldo Era

Posted by JoeAm on November 5, 2014 · 85 Comments 

We can look at the Philippines as moving along several different timelines. One is economic, another geo-political, a third is different phases of government, and a fourth considers the whims and ways of the ruling class. We are not looking for a rigorous academic method here. The writing is simply an aid to thinking through what the Binay corruption scandal means to … Continue reading →

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