Lianne Angelico Depante

Tagline:Ph.D. Student at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS)

Tokyo, Japan

personal photo of Lianne Angelico Depante

About Me

Lianne Angelico "L.A." is an early-career academic with a multidisciplinary background in political economy, public administration, policy studies, disaster risk management, and Asian studies.

He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Policy Studies at Tokyo’s National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) as a Monbukagakusho scholar. He previously served as Assistant Professor at the University of the Philippines Open University, where he also chaired the MPM program, and now continues to teach in its Public Management and ASEAN Studies programs as a Senior Lecturer.

He holds an MA in Asia-Pacific Studies (with a cognate in Political Economy) from National Chengchi University in Taiwan (National University of Governance), where he was a Taiwan Scholar, and a Bachelor of Public Administration from the University of the Philippines National College of Public Administration and Governance, where he also lectured as an affiliate faculty. His research focuses on the politics of development, particularly state-business-society relations, state capacity, and industrial policy. His current main project investigates Philippine politics and state-building through the lens of the country's semiconductor industry.

Outside academia, he has served as a consultant and resource person to numerous organizations and public offices. During his free time, he produces songs (inspired by his Grammy-nominated cousin) that forward his lifelong advocacies.

Education

  • Doctor of Philosophy

    from: 2024, until: present

    Field of study:Policy Studies (Growth and Governance)School:National Graduate Institute for Policy StudiesLocation:Tokyo, Japan

  • Master of Arts

    from: 2018, until: 2020

    Field of study:Asia-Pacific Studies (Political Economy)School:National Chengchi UniversityLocation:Taipei, Taiwan

  • Bachelor of Public Administration

    from: 2015, until: 2018

    Field of study:Public AdministrationSchool:University of the Philippines DilimanLocation:Quezon City, Philippines

  • Associate in Arts

    from: 2012, until: 2015

    Field of study:Liberal ArtsSchool:University of the Philippines Open UniversityLocation:Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines

Research Interests

  • Political economy of development
  • Industrial policy
  • Science and technology policy
  • MSMEs

Publications

  • Revisiting the Barangay Micro Business Enterprises (BMBEs) Act of 2002: A Policy Evaluation Using National-Level Data

    Journal ArticlePublisher:Philippine Journal of Public AdministrationDate:2025
    Authors:
    Deemee Shawn ManaloLianne Angelico Depante
    Description:

    While micro, small, and medium enterprises are widely considered as the backbone of the Philippine economy, their potential to contribute more to development is often hindered by high levels of informality. To help address the issue of enterprise informality, the government enacted the Barangay Micro-business Enterprises (BMBEs)
    Act of 2002, with the aim of formalizing microenterprises through the provision of incentives. Using data from a national-level census of BMBEs and business counselors directly involved in the implementation of the law, this study sought to evaluate the BMBE Law vis-à-vis its goal of reducing informality. In doing so, it focused on evaluating business registration, incentives and benefits received by the BMBEs, impact on microenterprises’ formalization rate, and impact on BMBEs’ business
    operations and development. Results from the descriptive statistics reveal that the law has been largely ineffective in addressing informality and fostering microenterprise development. In this light, this study recommends policy amendments to account for the recent enactment of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law, administrative burdens, and conflicting regulatory priorities. However, given the lengthy legislative amendment process, a more immediate approach would be for
    implementing agencies to update the implementing rules and regulations and conduct awareness campaigns to enhance the policy’s reach and impact.

  • Autonomous Adaptation and Governmental Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Exploring the Resilience of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in the Philippines

    Book ChapterPublisher:Changing Law and Contractual Relations under COVID-19Date:2023
    Authors:
    Kristoffer BerseKirsten Lianne Mae DedaseLianne Angelico Depante
    Description:

    This study frames the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on Philippine micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) from the lens of resilience, while discussing the various types of support that MSMEs have received from government agencies and public and private banks. Using data from a small-sized survey involving managers and workers, it explores the issues, needs, and responses that MSMEs have encountered. Preliminary findings reveal limited stimuli to ensure MSMEs’ survival. To cope with the disruption, most reported adopting adaptive mechanisms. The paper ends with a discussion of policy recommendations and future research directions to further explore and strengthen MSME resilience.