Conspiracy theory 201: How to make sense of the Philippine love for China

OPINION By Joe America When something makes no sense then we are forced to make up our own minds about what is going on based on what we see, pending hearing something sensible from someone we trust. We learned the other day that a Chinese warship aimed its targeting radar on a Philippine Navy ship … Continue reading →

Filed under Citizenship/Patriotism, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government

Double whammy: corona virus and loss of moral bearings

OPINION By Joe America We can read a lot of speculation about how the coronavirus will reshape our social interactions. More distancing. More cleanliness. Fewer hugs. More people working at home. Without question, today we are living a strange existence, keeping away from people and polishing everything with soap and water, or disinfectant. My guess … Continue reading →

Filed under Culture and Arts, Education, Laws and Ethics

A basic look at coronavirus statistics

ANALYSIS By Joe America All of the numbers we will look at are from the Department of Health. Are they perfect? No. Are they the best indicators we have? Yes. The data are current up to April 11, 2020. Chart 1 shows the enduring climb of confirmed coronavirus patients in the Philippines. It shows a … Continue reading →

Filed under Economy, Education, Philippine Government

The Philippines: fighting a virus with police

By Joe America The Philippines is a tribal “power and privilege” society pretending to be democratic. Or maybe more accurately, it is a democratic republic, by rule book . . . the Constitution . . . but the tribes just don’t get the concept. When a crisis comes to town and the Mayor is tribal, … Continue reading →

Filed under Culture and Arts, Philippine Government

Free speech is still free in the Philippines, but take care . . .

By Joe America The Philippine National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has summoned 12 people to explain their posts on social media, sending a bit of a Constitutional shudder through the free nation. Atty Chel Diokno will be representing one of the people summoned. He says these are ordinary citizens and the action is a clear … Continue reading →

Filed under Blogging/Journalism, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government, Technology/Internet