random points

• particularism in the Philippine government = nepotism, regionalism (source: Randy David)
• judicial reform = substantive and procedural improvements to speed up administration of justice (Atty. Ismael Khan)
• Somalia = ranks first in the failed state index, Zimbabwe and Sudan follow
  
• failed state = evaluated based on internal displacement, human flight, uneven development, economic decline, delegimitization of the state, human rights violations, factionalized elites, deteriorating public services, among others
• 4 ways of looking at a tree = decoration, scientific marvel, place to sit and nutrition (Source: Robin Sayers)