Stratbase Institute President and CEO Prof. Dindo Manhit and Stratbase Group COO Mr. RP Manhit participated in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Editors and Opinion Leaders Forum held at Fairmont, Makati City. This event serves as the kick-off event as the Philippines holds the ASEAN chairmanship for the whole of 2026. Stratbase served as the official partner of the Department of Trade and Industry for this high-level conference. 

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. provided his insights during the fireside chat and spoke of structural reforms the Philippine government is undertaking to modernize its bureaucracy through aggressive digitalization and the streamlining of business processes to attract foreign investment.  

From a private sector perspective, Ayala Corporation Chairman Mr. Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala spoke of revitalizing infrastructure via Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs). He underscored the Philippines’ current role as ASEAN host as a critical “marketing period” to attract investment and advance the country’s economic narrative. 

Key speakers during the forum included DTI Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque, DOF Secretary Frederick Go, DepEd Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, DOE Secretary Sharon Garin, and DICT Secretary Henry Aguda. Private sector leaders and media personalities also joined the forum as speakers to share their thoughts on how to build the Philippines’ economic narrative as we chair the ASEAN this year. 

The event welcomed delegates from across Southeast Asia. Stratbase is committed to supporting initiatives that will encourage more investments in the Philippines to create more quality jobs for the Filipino people, and strengthening the Philippines’ position in the global trade environment.