Category Archives: Politics and Government

Politics and Government — rephrases the dominant narratives on politics and government as it applies to contemporary Philippine and global society.

The aim is to clarify muddled issues, mock the naked agenda of partisan interests, and offer alternative worldviews. However, IngmingAberia.com wishes to offer the disclaimer that achieving this purpose is easier said than done.

Politics and Government is a tricky topic. It flirts confrontation with bullies. It encroaches upon turfs that are inhabited by the powerful, the rich, the mighty–all of whom are closely guarded by goons. It is therefore often necessary to use alternative language when poking royalty, such as with satire and metaphor. Any attempt of this kind, however, may not always be successful.

At any rate, IngmingAberia.com will always be committed to avoid the urge of criticizing the status quo just for the sake of exposing gaps. Stakes are higher than being analysts. We take pride in having earned the reputation of the one with the plan.

IngmingAberia.com shall find itself wanting if it fails to offer alternatives, or if it stops at complaining without offering solutions.

Technology of Participation

(Admin: Technology of participation was first published by The Manila Times on 4 August 2021) THERE are several ways of engaging communities in a development process. The common and traditional way is what I may call as the set-and-forget formula. Every three years, people elect government officials, who then proceed to plan and implement development… Read More »

“PDP Laban will not die”—Nene Pimentel

“PDP Laban will not die”—Nene Pimentel (Admin: this article was published by The Manila Times on July 21 & 28, 2021) In a disputed membership meeting of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP Laban) last weekend (16-17 July 2021) in Clark, Pampanga, that dislodged Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao from his post as its acting president,… Read More »

PDP Laban headed to a catfight?

Is PDP Laban headed to a catfight? When the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP Laban) emerged victorious in the last electoral war for president, supporters scrambled for their choice rewards. As in any war, winners divide among themselves the booty. In partisan politics, the spoils of war that are easily visible to the public… Read More »

Did Sinopharm forget that Duque exists?

A day after Christmas, on 26 December 2020, President Rodrigo Duterte revealed in his weekly briefing that some soldiers have been vaccinated against COVID-19. That revelation, including his mention of Sinopharm, a Chinese state-owned corporation that controls over a thousand subsidiaries and 6 publicly-listed companies (including China Traditional Chinese Medicine and Beijing Tiantan Biological Products),… Read More »

The poor to the rescue, again?

(Published by The Manila Times on 6 May 2020) THE presidential adviser on entrepreneurship, Jose Maria “Joey” Concepcion 3rd, whipped up a social media fuss a few days ago. On April 29, 2020, in an online discussion dubbed “We Rise as One,” organized by the Shareholders’ Association of the Philippines, where he was one of… Read More »

The Balik-Probinsya Remix

(Published by The Manila Times on 29 April 2020) THE coronavirus pandemic has exposed the many faces of poverty, especially in urban areas. It also exposes what seems to be the limited knowledge the government has of poverty. Because of this deficiency, the solutions it proposes to address the problem are also suspect. News reports,… Read More »

Duque’s Tenacity

(Published by The Manila Times on 22 April 2020) HEALTH Secretary Francisco Duque 3rd is to gecko as Vulcaseal is to glue. He clings to his post with the tenacity of a skin disease (to borrow the words of Jose Rizal in Noli Me Tangere). That is the impression he projects if one is to… Read More »