Tag: governance

#SONA2015: What to expect from #PNoy’s last and least State of the Nation Address

July 27, 2015 benign0 9 Comments

According to Presidential Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma in a response to the Inquirer, the last State of the Nation Address (SONA) to be delivered by President Benigno Simeon ‘BS’ Aquino III to joint sessions of Congress is a “story of governance”. On an 11-th hour “platform” consisting of promises revolving mainly around “anti-corruption”, “inclusive” development,…

Crime, Government, Politics

Parliament and the Philippines: A match made in hell?

May 23, 2013 benign0 9 Comments

[The following is a copy of an article written by the late great culture-is-culprit champion Teddy Benigno originally published on the excellent Philippine Broadsheet The Philippine Star on the 9th May 2003.] * * * Parliamentary system not for Philippines: The wherefores by Teodoro C. Benigno Philippine Star 09 May 2003 The raging debate in…

Culture, Development

Are we over-governing political campaign activities?

February 7, 2013 benign0 12 Comments

In recent days we’ve been seeing a few new “movements” and “advocacies” emerging (or being repackaged) as dominant topics amongst the chattering classes. Many of these involve one or another form of implementing some sort of “governance” around the way the Philippines’ wondrous cacophony of activity and voices that is its “democracy” work their way…

Civics, Government, Media, Politics

I slap, I squat, we rule (it is not your fiefdom, it is our country)

December 24, 2012December 24, 2012 The Miner 8 Comments

We all have to remember that in a democracy, we still adhere to the rule of law and the mandate given by the people; or emanating from the people. There is the Constitution which was enshrined through the peopleâ€™s mandate. There is the highest elective officer in the land, elected by all registered voters (flying,…

Government, Politics, Society

Occupy the sidewalk

December 22, 2012 The Miner 21 Comments

Sidewalk vendors have always been a site to behold in the panorama of Philippine society. Although we cannot claim that this phenomenon is endemic or indigenous to Filipino culture and society, the persona of the sidewalk vendor is omnipresent within and in the very fabric of Filipino society. We see these sidewalk vendors along the…

It Is a Good Time for Change, Starting with Changing to Someone Who Can Actually Do It

December 31, 2011December 31, 2011 BenK 11 Comments

I read with some interest Jaime Garchitorenaâ€™s â€œEnd of Year Thoughts: If thereâ€™s a good time to initiate change I think that good time is nowâ€, and I found it intriguing in that it echoes in many ways my own understanding of the futility of â€˜ideal democracyâ€™: That rules many times are nothing more than…

Government, Politics