Atty. Jenny Domino, Non-Resident Fellow for Human Rights of the Stratbase ADR Institute  Human Rights Day provided a good opportunity to reflect on how we have fared on our commitments since the Philippines signed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 70 years ago. The rights enshrined in the 1987 Constitution, the mechanisms put in place… Read More

Atty. Jenny Domino, Non-Resident Fellow for Human Rights of the Stratbase ADR Institute Since martial law, the Philippines has come a long way when it comes to protecting human rights. On paper, our human rights regime is robust. The 1987 Constitution is a legal framework motivated by human rights, its drafting having been framed by… Read More

ENFORCING THE ARBITRAL RULING AND SEEKING A TEMPLATE TO FINALLY SETTLE THE MARITIME DISPUTE IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA  Justice Antonio T. Carpio As I have said on many occasions, China’s claim to the West Philippine Sea, backed up by air and naval bases in the Spratlys, is the gravest external threat to the Philippines… Read More

Dindo Manhit, President of the Stratbase ADR Institute Are Filipinos benefitting from the growing strength of Philippine-China relations? Majority of Filipinos are still waiting for China to fulfill its commitment to provide billions of dollars of aid and investment under its own “One Belt, One Road” initiative. Many political observers believe that the soft stance… Read More

Hannah Viola, Energy Fellow of the Stratbase ADR Institute and Convenor of CitizenWatch Philippines The greatest Christmas gift that all consumers could get is affordable electricity prices. As the Christmas shopping season reaches its peak, consumers would much rather spend their hard-earned bonuses on their loved ones rather than on increased electricity bills. Last month,… Read More

Dindo Manhit, President of the Stratbase ADR Institute Embarking upon a “China-friendly” stance in the disputed South China Sea was a big blunder from the start. The lessons on sovereignty and economic risks are many, and they should not be disregarded. The Duterte presidency’s pivot to and strategic realignment with China is not only problematic,… Read More