The myth that 16 million DDS are in charge of the Philippine agenda

OPINION By Joe America We often look at leaders like Presidents Trump and Duterte and say they are ‘populists”, as if they are in power for and by the people. But that is a myth. Popularity does not drive either president. Vested interests do. The appeal to popular themes is merely a device, a marketing … Continue reading →

Filed under China, Economy, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Philippine Government, Philippine Politics

Policy and moral distortions in the Philippines

Analysis and Opinion By Chemrock The previous Society of Honor blog pondered on the difficulties of understanding Malacanang’s love for China, and the intelligent exchanges between two prolific commenters on the failure of the Green Revolution in part due to World Bank guidance that hid an agenda for US imperialism. What have these two issues … Continue reading →

Filed under Economy, Philippine Politics

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