In the past six years, the Philippines struggled to uphold its sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea (WPS) given the balancing, yet often failing, act that the Duterte administration performed in pursuit of its so-called independent foreign policy. This has resulted in numerous setbacks in strengthening our country’s defense posture and advancing strategic relations with like-minded states. Read More

The Philippines has one of the world’s longest coastlines, spanning 36,289 kilometers (22,549 miles), filled with abundant marine resources and maritime industry potential. Its strategic location, critical for trade and security, also elevates the importance of protecting national interest over the country’s territorial rights. These economic and industrial opportunities and strategic geographical location suggest that the new government should be able to use and harness concrete methods and approaches to strongly address our maritime security concerns. To promote and protect Philippine interests and concerns, priority must be given to establishing dependable interagency cooperation between maritime agencies and institutions. Read More

The rising uncertainties in the global environment, especially in the Indo-Pacific region, has demanded states to reorient its foreign and security policy to identify where and whom to collaborate, cooperate, compete, and confront in terms of emerging threats and opportunities for development. Within the context of maritime security, the Philippines continues to be in the mix of geopolitical shifts given the increasing influence of China and the country’s territorial rights over the West Philippine Sea. As the country moves into a new administration, a future-oriented, responsive, and strategic Philippine foreign policy must entail the configuration of the country’s national interest vis-à-vis the uncertainties about the current international order and lessons learned from the Duterte administration. The country must strengthen its inherent capability to be a maritime power given its strategic geographic characteristics and location from being a center of international trade flow and marine resource abundance.   Read More

The next six years will be crucial for Philippine society as it struggles to recover from the pandemic, build back better from the experiences and performances of the outgoing administration, and craft the future of our country. Cognizant of the extant and emerging challenges that the Filipino nation confronts, Stratbase ADR Institute launched its book “Beyond the Crisis: A Strategic Agenda for the Next President” last May 20. A veritable collection of 16 special policy papers, the institute proposes to the next government sensible and actionable recommendations in the areas of foreign policy and security, economy, social inequality, food security, climate change, and governance. Read More

After one of the most consequential national elections in the country’s history, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. is set to become the 17th president of the Philippines through a majority vote. Thirty-six years after being forced into exile in the United States, his family’s return to power holds significant implications for the country’s foreign policy. The presidency of Bongbong Marcos is expected to face complex and multifaceted challenges brought by heightened geopolitical risks and power shifts in the region. His call for “unity,” conveyed throughout the campaign period, will also be tested against circumstances on the ground, especially on critical issues such as the territorial and maritime disputes in the West Philippine Sea. Read More

The Stratbase ADR Institute released its publication titled, “Beyond the Crisis: A Strategic Agenda for the Next President” on 20 May 2022. The Stratbase ADR Institute released its publication titled, “Beyond the Crisis: A Strategic Agenda for the Next President” on 20 May 2022. Read More

With a contentious family history, presumptive President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. faces an uphill battle in establishing his credibility as a leader. He said we should judge him by his actions — not by his family’s past. Let’s take him up on this challenge. How will we do this? First, we will look at whether he is getting the basics right. Is he addressing the issues that matter? What is he doing to achieve his campaign promises and policy pronouncements? Read More