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… Read More »
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… Read More »
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… Read More »
The morning after was also published by The Manila Times on 15 February 2023. Yesterday was Valentine’s day. It’s not as if people need to be reminded about it. It’s more about reflecting on the facts of life, especially those we keep as part of romantic experiences. We are all indebted to romantic love. We… Read More »
Monetizing Rizal: How would an elevated Luneta look like? was also published by The Manila Times on 8 February 2023. Touching the Luneta, or Rizal Park, in a manner that defiles it is unthinkable. It is an affront to national pride and mocks, if not violate, several laws. But that is what I have in… Read More »
The economy is alive, but… was also published by The Manila Times on 1 February 2023. The economy comes back to life but leaves the farmers dead. The Philippine economy grew by 7.6 percent, in terms of Gross Domestic Product (total value of local goods and services) in 2022. After being battered the previous year… Read More »
Back to my dreams was also published by the Manila Times on 25 January 2023. I stopped and smelled some roses, so to speak. While I was away from the keyboards this past several months, there was plenty of time to get busy by walking around, doing nothing. However, this was not necessarily an occasion… Read More »
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… Read More »
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… Read More »
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… Read More »
This article “A slap in the face” was also published by The Manila Times on 6 June 2022. For fun (to spectators) and money (for competitors) there is a sports competition in Russia called “Slap Championships,” and another one in Arizona, USA, called “Rage in The Cage Face Slapping Championships.” Competitors stand across each other… Read More »