It appears that the dust has settled as the new administration has taken office and set its priority agenda for its first year. The country recently heard President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. give his first State of the Nation Address, with the President concluding that “the state of the nation is sound.”  

The six years of the Rodrigo Duterte administration was indeed a colorful period, to say the least. It was a time marked by strongman rule, local and international criticisms, major infrastructure projects, and a seeming pivot to China despite having an independent foreign policy.  

Under his leadership and during the health crisis, the country experienced democratic backsliding and record highs and record lows in terms of poverty, hunger, and joblessness. In allegedly combating the COVID-19 pandemic, the country is now burdened by a gargantuan foreign debt of PhP12.5 trillion.   

The current administration and Filipino citizens alike can learn much from the Duterte government. Learning from our history and looking back is necessary to build better and move forward.  

Through this roundtable discussion, we fervently hope that key players from government, civil society, the private sector, and academe will better understand how to proceed under the current administration.  

Program

Key Issues and Concerns of the Filipino
Prof. Victor Andres “Dindo” Manhit
President, Stratbase ADR Institute
Lead Convenor, Democracy Watch Philippines

Six Years of the Duterte Administration in Review 
Mr. Edwin P. Santiago 
Non-Resident Fellow, Stratbase ADR Institute 
Associate Professor, De La Salle University 

Holistic Governance and the Task Ahead 
Dr. Rizal G. Buendia 
Non-Resident Fellow, Stratbase ADR Institute 
Former Chair of Political Science Department, De La Salle University 
Philippine Country Expert of the Global V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, Sweden 

Reaction by: Dr. Francisco A. Magno 

Trustee and Program Convenor, Stratbase ADR Institute; 
Full Professor of Political Science, De La Salle University

Closing Statement 

Prof. Victor Andres “Dindo” Manhit 
President, Stratbase ADR Institute 

Host and Moderator

Atty. Mildred Ople 
Program Coordinator, Youth Leadership for Democracy  
(YouthLED) Philippines