The need for an anti-discrimination law in the Philippines

By JoeAm Filipinos generally treat other races with polite consideration. They are courteous to whites, Chinese, Japanese, and everyone else except perhaps blacks, as far as I can judge. Dark-skinned Filipinos are often ridiculed or otherwise treated badly. Women are not discriminated against in the job market, but everyday language is often discriminatory (the President’s … Continue reading →

Filed under China, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government

Trash wars and other Philippine nonsense

By JoeAm The Philippines almost went to war over trash from Canada, imported by Filipinos, and blamed on Canada. The 69 containers of nasty trash evidently sat in Customs stinking up the docks for six years and no one did anything about it. There was no reason, no money to be made in doing something, … Continue reading →

Filed under China, Citizenship/Patriotism, Crime/Corruption, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Humor/Satire, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government

A Message to the Enlightened Filipinos, by Senator Antonio F. Trillanes IV

By JoeAm The following article was sent to the blog by the media staff of Senator Sonny Trillanes. I reprint it here because, although it is a politically partisan message, it touches on many of the issues we have discussed recently regarding the recent election and the direction of the nation. Those who disagree with … Continue reading →

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

Wish I didn’t know now what I didn’t know then

By JoeAm Those song lyrics were penned by rocker Bob Seeger in 1981. He was talking about a girl, but it perfectly characterizes my relationship with the Philippines. When I started engaging in on-line conversations a decade ago, I was inspired to know about this friendly, undisciplined, small-town nation.  Now I know too much, having … Continue reading →

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

Accepting accountability requires intellect, not emotion

By JoeAm Most people who are pro-democracy, pro-human rights, and pro-Philippine civility and competence rightfully reacted with a shudder or a scream or a wail about the results of the 2019 election, especially the senators who were voted in. People of no known law-writing competence – known killers and plunderers – now sit in the … Continue reading →

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