Stratbase Institute President and CEO Prof. Victor Andres “Dindo” Manhit delivered a lecture today on the “Overview of the Conduct of 21st Century Philippine Statecraft” at the National Defense College of the Philippines.

The lecture formed part of the Master in National Security Administration Program, Regular Course 62. Prof. Manhit discussed Philippine public perceptions of foreign policy under the Aquino, Duterte, and Marcos administrations, examining how strategy, statecraft, and diplomacy have shaped the country’s external relations.

He also discussed statecraft as the coordinated use of diplomatic, military, economic, informational, legal, and other national instruments to protect Philippine interests and advance strategic objectives. Emphasizing that economic security is national security, he highlighted how strategic investments from countries who also support the rules-based order support the Philippines’ sovereignty, stability, and long-term prosperity.