The reality of red tape has crippling consequences to our nation. Red tape is a euphemism for the numerous bureaucratic bottlenecks, usually of a corrupt or administratively inefficient nature, that delay what should be a logically necessary and efficient process. Read More

When in doubt, look at the numbers. It is easy to make pronouncements and press releases, but at the end of the day, what matters is the hard data to back these claims. Read More

In line with the celebration of Rare Disease Week and the 7th year celebration of the signing of the Rare Disease Act of 2016, the Stratbase ADR Institute, in partnership with PSOD and UHCWatch, organized another dialogue entitled, “Sustaining Gains and Balancing Priorities: Implementation of Rare Disease Act for 2023”, to continue the discussion on plans that will benefit the RD patients.

The discussion aimed to provide a venue for key decision makers and stakeholders to continue the previous discussions that will further institutionalize the government’s support to rare disease patients, which is aligned with the implementation of the Rare Disease Law and in accordance with the achievement of the objectives of the IRDMSP 2022-2026. Read More

Gray zone activities are performed by states to assert their power and influence while remaining below the threshold of what could be considered acts of war. As it stands below the threshold of conflict, gray zone tactics challenge current policies and push states to realign strategies that can effectively counter these operations. Those on the receiving side of these aggressive acts must calibrate an appropriate, commensurate, and effective response that is cautiously complex. Read More

When one state sends dozens of vessels into another country’s territory or points a military-grade laser at the other country’s coast guard, these are definitely not acts of peace. Still, they fall below the threshold of what would be deemed acts of war. They are, instead, within the realm of the gray zone. Read More

Last month’s official visit of President Marcos Jr. to Japan affirmed our two countries’ closeness and like-mindedness. We have a common vision and goal: A strong, resilient Indo-Pacific region where the rule of law prevails, and where rogue, aggressive, and irrational acts have no place. Read More

The current geopolitical situation in our part of the world is complex and precarious. Every day, there are developments that make us a little bit more uneasy. In February, a Chinese vessel pointed a military-grade laser at the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). And then, just this weekend, PCG personnel stationed in Pag-asa Island — the largest in the Kalayaan Group of Islands — reported more than 40 Chinese vessels anchored within 4.5 miles to eight miles from the island shores, clearly within Pag-asa’s 12-nautical mile territorial sea. Read More