Author, Development Worker, Netrepreneur
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.
Philippine Congress, content creator was also published by The Manila Times on 24 May 2023. The late Senate President Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel, Jr. once proposed the “three C’s”—short for Competence, Courage, Character—as criteria for electing people’s representatives in government. But that proposal hardly resonates. Voters, election results show, must have their own preferences. A look…
From Magellan to Hinatuan: How mining keeps Eastern Samar deeply wounded was also published by The Manila Times on 3 and 10 May 2023. Five hundred years ago, on 16 March 1521, Ferdinand Magellan landed on the shores of Homonhon Island in what is now part of the municipality of Guiuan, Eastern Samar, Philippines, after…
LBP-DBP merger: what’s in it for the owner–the taxpayers? was also published by The Manila Times on 26 April 2023. At no other time has recruitment of NPAs been as striking than the martial law years of Ferdinand Edralin Marcos–father of President Bongbong Marcos. And I refer not only to the new people’s army but…
People and the law and also published by The Manila Times on 22 March 2023. When people own their issues, they also own the law that aims to address those issues. This ideal state arises when conditions for people participation have been developed. It promotes a political system that enables government to respond more effectively…
PPP Ideas for LGUs was published by The Manila Times on 10 August 2022. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has advised local government units (LGUs) to engage the private sector for possible funding of their investments, such as for infrastructures, through public-private partnerships (PPPs). I wish to introduce here unsolicited ideas that can be developed further…
Taxation and Social Protection was also published by The Manila Times on 3 August 2022. CAN anything good come out of a tax? We know that taxes are a fact of life and, like death, are a certainty in an otherwise uncertain world. Some say a government can use tax systems to reduce inequality, aware…
A governance approach to rightsizing was also published in The Manila Times on 20 July 2022. I WAS a personnel specialist at the Civil Service Commission when the Marcos dictatorship ended in 1986. Several months after the Cory Aquino-led opposition wrested political power, I resigned. The Cory government took bold steps to govern. It abolished…
Climate Change and Transitions, titled “Transitions,” was also published by The Manila Times on 29 June 2022. Tomorrow the national government and many local governments will transition to possibly new ways of conducting public affairs. A fresh mandate from the electorate is known to more than inspire those who are tasked to govern. Unfortunately, however,…
Blood of Arsenio Balisacan (Arsenio’s blood) was also published by The Manila Times on 8 June 2022. When I read from media reports that quoted incoming Economic Secretary Arsenio Balisacan about not having politics in his blood, I felt tempted to ask what is it in politics that some people would wish not to be…
Signs to watch out for was also published by The Manila Times on 25 May 2022. A scan of the economic landscape intuitively suggests that something is odd when the gross domestic product (GDP) grows at 8.3 percent but government misses its tax collection target by 8.9 percent. Reports early this month showed that the…
Bongbong wins: The morning-after takeaways was also published by The Manila Times on 11 May 2022. The unofficial super-quick count has tallied 98 percent of the votes cast as of 1PM yesterday. Bongbong Marcos got 30.9 million votes. He leads second placer Leni Robredo by a whopping 16 million votes. Leni, who got 14.7 million…