Prof. Victor Andres “Dindo” Manhit, President and CEO of Stratbase Institute, delivered a special strategic address at the Australia Philippines Business Council (APBC) Manila Networking Night, highlighting Australia as a trusted strategic and economic partner of the Philippines with both sharing democratic values and a common commitment to a peaceful, stable, prosperous, and rules-based Indo-Pacific. 
 
In his remarks, Prof. Manhit emphasized that national security is economic security, underscoring the importance of trusted partnerships and the opportunities to deepen Philippines–Australia cooperation in areas such as critical minerals, energy, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, and emerging technologies. He further highlighted how this partnership can strengthen resilience and contribute to inclusive growth across ASEAN.