We are not likely to become another Tijuana or Juarez in the near future because we are not near a huge market unlike those two Mexican cities. The increasing prosperity of the region may change the dynamics in the long term, but it will also depend on whether regional authorities will follow the USA’s aggressive, war-like strategy on drug interdiction.

Also, the likely candidates to host international cartels in the region would be the authoritarian countries Burma and, perhaps, North Korea.

This was done in Africa when Foreign powers made proxy wars against the people of Africa. They let warlords fight against each other. Through this war weapons were bought (allegedly from the same source) sometimes funded by blood diamonds. Because the foreign powers owed these warlords through weapons purchase and and selling diamond them diamonds, they (using U.N. as a front) caught and tried them on the basis of “rebellion” having a blanket amnesty rather than crimes against humanity. Of course we know who the beneficiaries of these wars were: the arms dealers, and the diamond buyers. In short the foreign instigators.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20091218-242753/US-arms-shipments-may-fall-into-hands-of-warlords-Arroyo-pals
http://balita.ph/2009/05/14/usd667-m-allocated-for-rp-in-proposed-2010-us-budget/
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view/20091218-242735/US-devt-project-in-Maguindanao-to-resume-shortlyKenney

Happy holidays.

What is the principle behind it? The Judicial Branch has no mandate and it should refrain from rebuking the other two branches, Congress and Executive, whose members have the mandate from the people if such can be avoided. Standing, mootness, political question, lack of judicially manageable standard to review the acts of Congress/Presient are some of time-honored constitutional principles designed to put in check the tendency of the judiciary to become overbearing and make legislation from the bench.

Abuse of the members of Congress and the Executive are easily redressed comes election while the members of the Judiciary are life-tenured and they are beyond the reach of the sovereign people… It is time now that Congress adopts the practice of most States in the U.S. where State Supreme Courts are elected for six years or appointed for a fix term.

mario,

So Erap can deduct votes from opposition presidential candidates during the election. Not to worry Erap becoming president again because the supremes will disqualify him after the election. This will work in Gibo’s favor, but Gibo will not become president as well because he’s sleeping in the basement. And Abalos, Garci and Bedol are in exile. And the ampatuans are in a corner. And the AFP and the PNP no longer in the clutches of the queen.