Judges, priests and laws: making a bed for crime in the Philippines

I’m talking about honest judges and priests as well as corrupt judges and priests. And laws that coddle criminals. And a society that talks a good game now and then but is lacking in compassion for ordinary people. Why are there so many governmental crooks in the Philippines? Why is it an accepted way of life? Why … Continue reading →

Filed under Crime/Corruption, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government, Religion

The Pope and the Philippines

A few reflections on Pope Francis and the Philippines. Summation: A triumph! The big question: Will it have legs? That is, was it a showtime event, or an event with lasting significance? The Pope is controversial in Rome on theological grounds (“Italian writer stirs a hornet’s nest . . .“). Theology means little in the Philippines. … Continue reading →

Filed under Crime/Corruption, Culture and Arts, Family/Parenting/Children, Philippine Politics, Religion

Slicing and dicing the Nation’s investments in itself

From time to time, I explore the mundane workings of Philippine government to improve my grasp of what exactly is going on in the real world where tabloid journalists rarely tread. I know the Aquino government has given infrastructure development its rightful high priority. Where is the money going? Is the overall program reasonable? Will it … Continue reading →

Filed under Economy, Philippine Government

A touch of compassion for Philippine atheists . . .

It struck me that atheists must be going nuts right now. And maybe Muslims, too. Or how about INC members whose new arena can’t come close to matching the grab power of Pope Francis on wheels? Face it, this is a celebration by the super-majority of 83 percent, and it is totally of the Philippine … Continue reading →

Filed under Culture and Arts, Humor/Satire, Religion

Does mercy and compassion extend to the corrupt?

by Andrew Lim The 2015 Philippine Papal visit is themed “mercy and compassion.” On its official website the rationale is very explicit: “Pope Francis will visit the Philippines primarily to comfort Filipinos devastated by the typhoon and the earthquake that hit the Visayas.” “In his Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis proclaims that the Church … Continue reading →

Filed under Citizenship/Patriotism, Crime/Corruption, Laws and Ethics, Religion