The Philippines, a land of Mafia dons and dead journalists

We read a lot about the shooting of journalists in the Philippines and the inability of the government to stop this assault on one of our most prized democratic values, freedom of the press. The killings are an affront to a nation that prides itself on being among the most expressively free in the world . . . … Continue reading →

Filed under Blogging/Journalism, Crime/Corruption, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government

China’s plan to take Pagasa Island (Titiu), inhabited by about 200 Filipinos

China’s enduring march to expand in the South China Sea is not flexible or fluid. It was set in action 10 years ago and is proceeding as scheduled. Every objection is met with a rebuff that paints the party objecting as an intruder into sovereign Chinese territory, as defined by the now-famous nine-dash line. Nothing the … Continue reading →

Filed under China, Economy, Philippine Government

The Concept of “Considerate Accountability”

A few blogs ago, I pointed out that legislators and regulators are in bed with lawmakers and so ordinary Philippine consumers get a runaround (“Regulatory incest in the Philippines“). Consumers have no power other than a vote every few years. Therefore, the Philippine economy is held back because consumers are not empowered to demand change, or to … Continue reading →

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

The Philippines is now an English speaking nation; deal with it

The term “deal with it” is an American idiomatic expression. It is normally used in a confrontational manner, as a final exclamation point. A translation would be, “tough luck, nothing’s going to change, so you have to accept it. Nyaah nyaah nyaah!” But I don’t mean it as confrontational. I mean it as polite advice. I … Continue reading →

Filed under Citizenship/Patriotism, Culture and Arts, Economy, Education, Family/Parenting/Children, Philippine Government

Maybe America should stop worrying about Muslim extremists and worry more about her own

I confess that my confidence in America was shaken to the bone the other day when, innocently responding to a news article comment thread, I was besieged with insults the kind of which I never receive in the Philippines. My initial remark was eventually deleted by the editors even though it was not obscene or even … Continue reading →

Filed under Blogging/Journalism, Citizenship/Patriotism, Laws and Ethics, USA/Americans