Why tying in with America makes sense

Why did the Philippines eject American bases from the Philippines in 1991? First and foremost, to preserve Philippine sovereignty. Here’s what happened as reported by the New York Times on December 28, 1991: American and Philippine officials reached tentative agreement last summer on a treaty that would have extended the lease on the naval base for at … Continue reading →

Filed under China, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Philippine Government, USA/Americans

Of wooden puppets, talking heads, and presidential candidates

One of my more enjoyable acquaintance-ships here on line is with a young man who blogs and comments under the title “brianitus“. For some reason our mutual disdain for convention and like for noodles puts us on the same wave length, bridging many decades of age-gap. His off-the-wall remarks cause my brain to expand and … Continue reading →

Filed under Citizenship/Patriotism, Philippine Politics

Of second terms and judicial overreach

One would think that a constitution ought to be a stabilizing document, a force for clarity and reason and good behavior. But the Philippine Constitution is not. It is a tool vested interests manipulate to get their way. You see, that is the problem with adopting American style democratic constitutional processes in a nation has … Continue reading →

Filed under Citizenship/Patriotism, Crime/Corruption, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government, Philippine Politics

Filipino ethics: inside out

It struck me that I am a ship out of water when I argue for ethics in journalism, here, in the Philippines. Like other cultural constructs, the matter of “ethics” has a different shading in the Philippines. It is not comprehended in the same way that westerners grasp it. The definition is more along the … Continue reading →

Filed under Blogging/Journalism, Citizenship/Patriotism, Crime/Corruption, Culture and Arts, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government

The striking evolution of the Philippines

Researchers have been studying the evolution of dinosaurs into birds. The transition took about 50 million years. The dinosaurs became smaller and more lithe to better evade preditors. Eventually they started climbing trees, either to escape predators or find food. Next they started gliding from tree to tree, then added feathers for warmth or aerodynamics. … Continue reading →

Filed under Economy, Philippine Government