Wilfredo G. Villanueva
Cha Coronel Datu
Juana Pilipinas
Karl Garcia
giancarloangulo
Irineo B. R. Salazar
JPilipinas
karlgarcia
JoeAmDo Not Go Gentle Into Performative Governance
Why the Philippines Needs Proof, Not Applause By Karl Garcia The Philippines is not a poor country. It is a tired one. Tired of traffic that steals years from our lives.Tired of institutions that promise reform and deliver excuses.Tired of elections that feel consequential—and governance that does not. And so, little by little, we have … Continue reading
The Philippines’ Hydra Problem: Why We Keep Fighting the Same Wars
By Karl Garcia The Philippines does not suffer from a single dominant crisis. It is trapped in a self-reinforcing system of failure—a governance hydra where every problem we cut down regenerates in another form. Crime. Human rights abuses. Weak innovation. Environmental collapse. Debt anxiety. Policy reversals. Electoral volatility. Institutional decay. Military politicization. Privatization without accountability. … Continue reading
When Power Becomes Performance: Why Governance by Shock Fails Democracies
By Karl Garcia In different political systems and cultures, Donald Trump and Rodrigo Duterte practiced a similar style of leadership: governance by shock, confrontation, and personal dominance. Their supporters often praised this approach as “strong leadership” or a necessary disruption of elite complacency. Yet with the benefit of distance and evidence, it is increasingly clear … Continue reading
Too Many Lawyers, Too Little Justice
Why the War on Drugs, Congested Jails, and Barangay Justice Are the Same Story By Karl Garcia The Philippines does not suffer from a shortage of laws. It does not suffer from a shortage of lawyers. It suffers from a shortage of justice. That shortage explains far more about the country’s recent history than any … Continue reading
A Country Trapped in Reset Mode
By Karl Garcia Every political crisis in the Philippines eventually leads to the same demand: a reset.Remove the leader. Start over. Clean the slate. Try again. The impulse is understandable. When institutions disappoint and progress feels elusive, resetting offers emotional closure. It assigns blame. It promises renewal without requiring patience. But this instinct—repeated over decades—has … Continue reading
The Society of Honor by Joe America 