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

Bienvenido Oplas, Jr., President of Minimal Government Thinkers (MGT) and Non-Resident Fellow of the Stratbase ADR Institute In terms of meeting its objectives, the Sin Tax Law of 2012 has so far yielded mixed results. It managed to raise revenue that benefited the universal health care program and other government welfare initiatives. However, whether or… Read More

Vanessa Pepino, Environment Fellow of the Stratbase ADR Institute Minerals are an essential part of modern society but its extraction comes with both opportunities for economic growth and challenges for social and environmental protection, among others. It makes sense that regulations and fiscal policies are in place to see to it that neither is compromised,… Read More

Vanessa Pepino, Environment Fellow of the Stratbase ADR Institute Globally recognized, the Philippines is one of the most mineral-rich countries, with an estimated $840 billion worth of untapped mineral wealth. But unknown to most, it is subject to doubled excise taxes when the Tax Reform for Inclusion and Acceleration (TRAIN) Law took effect. Along with… Read More

Amb. Albert del Rosario Former Secretary of Foreign Affairs Chairman of the Stratbase ADR Institute   Excellency, In recalling our bilateral meeting years ago in Beijing, please allow me to extend to you our warm welcome to the Philippines. Your visit underscores the future of the relationship between the Philippines and China. Our peoples have… Read More

Dindo Manhit, President of the Stratbase ADR Institute Two weeks ahead of the 33rd ASEAN summit, the Chinese Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang confirmed that China has begun operating a maritime observation center, a meteorological observatory and a national environmental and air quality monitoring stations on its artificial islands in the Spratly islands. While Malacañang refused to… Read More

Dr. Renato de Castro, Trustee and Convenor of the National Security and East Asian Affairs Program of the Stratbase ADR Institute After more than two years of waiting, Chinese President Xi Jinping will be visiting the Philippines in November. President Rodrigo Duterte invited him to the Philippines when they first met in Beijing in October… Read More